Bell Boots

[starkitten]

My farrier advised me last time she was out that I should probably put bell boots on my horse when I ride. No issues have occured yet, but she thinks they could in the future. I plan to get some soon - any suggestions on which ones to buy? I am totally clueless :)

[Mandy]

I used bell boots on my horse Samson when I turned him out so he wouldn't pull off his shoes. I really like the ones that are more rounded at the top, they kind of have a ledge (you'll know what I'm talking about when you see them probably), they aren't very expensive, maybe about $20.00. The ones that were flatter, he would reach down and pull them off and play with them, but never on the other ones.

You need to make sure you get the right size though.

[WP~Paint]

I believe I ordered some from Chicks Saddlery. http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SBB290&Category_Code=

i went to buy those, but I think I got different ones, but regardless, I love them. They are the no turn kind, so they have like a nob on the back to fit into the hoof indention. They weren't priced too bad either. I would say the no turn kind though, there soo nice.

[JetLagaside]

I really like the ones made by Davis, they last a long time and they aren't very expensive. My mare wears them almost all the time :) she's pulled a shoe out playing so I end up taking them off when I ride. I have a pair by centar that are purple sparkle which seem to be wearing really well :)

[Mandzanita]

Well I'd say it depends on what problem the vet thinks may happen in the future. The main problem would be if the horse is prone to overstepping and clips his front heels with his back feet. The best ones to get for this circumstance would be any type of "no turn" bell boot. They are made thicker in the back to sit in the heel grove for padding and so they won't move around.

If it's the sides of his front feet that are brushing then a regular bell boot and perhaps a pair of front brushing boots would be needed.

I see alot of people use bell boots upside down to prevent bed sores on the front of the fetlocks but he probably wasn't talking about that.

My favorite brand of bell boot is Classic Equine, Davis is a close second or Pro Choice.

The one's that WP gave the link to look really nice and are a great price. The neoprene does a good job at hugging the hoof and I like the thick velcro straps.

[starkitten]

Thanks for all the advice :) It would be the overstepping issue Mandzanita :)

[Mandzanita]

Then go for any type of "no turn" and just make sure it's a nice sturdy material, the right size and good closure in the front.

I realized I said vet instead of farrier...lol...woops.

[vicklynn]

Id say, check out the tack board here, Im sure someone(me) has a pair for sale, if you want the no turn bell boots, if not, check around, see what different types there are.

[Country Girl 43]

Check around and definately make sure you get the right size. They need to be able to cover the shoe if that is what you are protecting.

I never used them until recently for Dreamer. Also remember that if you get the velcro ones, the Velcro goes in the FRONT! OK...I'll admit...if my farrier hadn't shown me how to put them on I would have had them on backwards!.....LOL