Which hoof boots do you use?

[Country Girl 43]

I wanted to get a few threads going as WB mentioned to be able to keep this site informative as well as fun. It looks like we have a few good horse shoers on the forum too...woohoo! So

What brand of hoof boots do you use and why?
Right now I have Cavallo for Dreamer...I like them but they seem a bit bulky. I am not sure about the EasyEpic Boots, as that little clip on the front makes me nervous.

so what do you all use?

[Dakota Sunrise]

I have Easyboot epics for Beauty for trail riding. I've used them 4 times I think. So far I like them pretty well. They're a little bit difficult to get on and off but as long as you read the dirrections first, take your time, and have a cooperative horse (and believe it or not Beauty is very good about it) it's really not that bad. Getting them off is pretty easy, you just have to use a screw driver (note: don't try to use a hoof pick, it will bend- trust me.:rolleyes:) to pop the buckle up.
The thing to remember is that you have to A.) get the exact right size-- too big and they will not work-- and B.) they have to be TIGHT.

[SedonaThunder]

Well... I have Old Macs, Boas, Epics and Renegades!

The Old Macs (http://www.oldmacs.com/) are the brand I tried first and I found them a bit hard to get on correct if my horse moved at all and I thought they got pretty sloppy when wet or muddy. These are now just used if someone has an abscess or any kind of owie that requires boots while in the paddock.

I bought Boas (http://www.easycareinc.com/Our_Boots/Boa_Horse_Boot/Boa_Boots.aspx) next and while they are super easy to put on and are very durable... they were sucked off in the mud quite a few times and they rub the coronet band. I do still use them on Timber's back hooves (they are what seems to fit best) but I first do a two layer vetwrap "sock" over his coronet before sliding on the boots.

Epics(http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_epics/Easyboot_Epic.aspx) became my favorite a couple of years ago as they are easy to get on, easy to tighten down, easy to put pads in, they have a built in gator that held the boot on the one time it did come off AND they have easy replacement parts (new gaitor if ripped off and new buckles and wires). When you have them tight they stay on great in the mud and they are just easily workable... I put shims in the sides in one pair as Timber is some what "mule footed".

My new favorite boot is the Renegade (http://www.renegadehoofboots.com/home.html). I LOVE that they come in different colors (this may seem unimportant but if one comes off, finding a black boot in the mud/grass/brush isn't easy) and that they are so easy to put on. Unlike the other three types of boots I've used, I haven't found any rubs anywhere from these and the way the back is a separate piece means that all the water or mud just flows right out the back. The only two things I can say about the Renegade that I don't like are that you can't put a pad in the boot unless you glue it down and the velcro straps don't have as much "cling" once covered in mud.

[Stellaluna]

Not referring to any particular brand, but how long do they last?

[SedonaThunder]

My Boa's have been used for three years now... but those were used by Sarge and now Timber - horses that don't tend to over reach or scramble up hills. Timber ruined his Boa's by stepping on the backs of them and tearing out the seams. My Epic's have gone through two riding seasons and I did have to replace the wire on one but other than that they're as good as new. I've only had my Renegade's since April but they're holding up well so far - did have to replace a velcro strap that got lost somewhere on the trail.

We are weekend riders and have a short riding season so these boots probably get used 24 times a year on 2-4 hour trail rides - many with mud and water but not too much big rock.

[vicklynn]

I use the Easyboot Epics. Took coordination to put them on, but I learned, and they are easy after a couple times of going, oh duh..Im glad Myst is patient. I pop them right on now. I did however have a problem with them getting water in them and rubbing her, she got sore. So I had shoes put on her fronts. I used the boots once on her backs, short ride, she was fine.
Wanna hear something funny though. The day I put them on Mysts back hooves, I was tacking up at the Search and Rescue. She had never had them on her backs, she started to go straight down, no leaning, just started to stretch her fronts and lay right down, saddle and all. I took my foot and tapped her belly as not to freak her out, but to just say, hey, its ok. I talked to her for a sec, while laughing, shoot, she had her saddle on too. It was quite hilarious. I jumped on, walked her around, she was like, oh, ok, this is cool. Never gave the guy riding her an issue. They did great together.

[Country Girl 43]

Wow Sedona...you have tried them all! I am thinking about getting some MacG2s but not sure how they will do.

[half_passing_haffie]

I like Renegades, they have been highly recommended to me and when I am ready to buy some those will be what I get.

[SedonaThunder]

Wow Sedona...you have tried them all! I am thinking about getting some MacG2s but not sure how they will do.
My biggest problem with the Old Mac's is the "sloppy when wet" fabric and second - mud and velcro do NOT go well together. Down where you live though I wouldn't think wetness would come into play and I don't know about sand with velcro? They might be great for you!

[Country Girl 43]

Well I do have Cavallo boots for Dreamer. I like them because they are REALLY easy to put on, but, they are so big an bulky. Although Dreamer was MUCH more comfortable yesterday when I put them on. I also worry about them rubbing on her heel bulbs.

I tried the easyboot epics, but was afraid of that darn clip and wire in the front. I'm worried the horse would clip themself if they cross their front feet over too close.

[APPYT]

I have some of the OLD Easy boots and they are still very usable. I just don't care for them much as they tend to fly off. PITA!

I bought a pair of Cavallo's but somehow they are way larger than they should be. They don't fit anybody. :(

And finally I bought a pair of Boas, with gaiters.. I like them a lot.

[offgridgirl]

I have a pair of the old mac G2's. They fit better than the orginals and I don't have a problem with rubbin or getting suck-off in the mud. I only used them for occasional use when my guy loses a shoe. I haven't used them in the sand,yet but the orginal olds mac's were great in the snow and ice......better grip than metal shoes!:)

[AppyLover]

Abby is getting fitted in the next few weeks for the easy boot bare. Not sure yet how good they are or will be, but I'll be happy to report how they work for us once we start putting miles back in the saddle.

[AppyLady]

I've had real good luck with the Easy Boot Bares. The Epics just didn't work at all -- the buckles and cables kept breaking on our rocky trails. I converted all my Epics to Bares.

Someday I might invest in those Renegades; I do like the looks of them.

[AppyLover]

That is good to know AppyLady. I like those Renegades too.

[IrisGreen]

I'm glad I went searching because this thread helped me alot. I need to buy some front boots for Matty, he's tender footed on my gravel driveway but I want them easy to get on and off because I don't need them in the arena once I get to my neighbors house.

Do you think I should spend the money on the Renegades or just buy the cheaper Boa's or old macs for him? I'm not going to be using them for long trail rides, just around the neighborhood on hard ground (dirt that's hard and gravel driveways), and some pavement to cross the streets.

[westmanfarrier]

I love boots as a 'spare tire' or for those sunny days in the off season.

I sell quite a few Boa boots. They come with gaiters (which Sedona may not have? I can order you some if you want some) so rubbing should be minimum. I like their ease of use.

I also like the Old Mac G2 better than the original. It is of a better design, especially the solar surface and where it puts the heel. I agree with the mud vs velcro comments...lousy.

I do not like the easys with the spikes and clip. Very hard to apply/take off and if they aren't fitted perfectly I have seen them leave some nasty marks on hooves.

Easy has a couple new designs I am intrigued by, and hope to use soon.

Just remember, if you are using boots as an alternative to shoes to save money, boots do wear out and get damaged so they are not an end all. They will need replacing. They are also a 'one size fits all' type of thing. The boot comes in one shape, hooves come in many shapes. I equate it to going hiking in my rubber boots as opposed to well fitting hiking boots.

[Buckpoco]

We've been using Cavallo boots for three years. We've never had a rub or lost one and they are so easy to get on and off. The only thing we have to fix is that they can get slippery in mud, like on the side of a hill. Last year at Equine Affaire we spoke with the owner. He said they have studs for them and will come out with boots that are set for the studs. As of last year you had to put them in yourself. My hubby made his own...they worked well but one came out. So, this year we'll see what they have for traction. But all in all , they work great.

[pasolover2]

I have the cavallos, but they rubbed my horses heels, so had to buy the gaiters to use. I decided to try the new Easyboot Glove, glad I did. We have a pair for my husbands walker and a pair I use on my Paso gelding, they go on easy enough, and they don't rub the horses heels. You do have to make sure you get them to fit right, they are supposed to fit tight like a glove to your hand. We ride through a creek quite a ways and some areas are pretty muddy and boggy, so far haven't lost one. Will be trying the pair I use on my Paso on my walker when his abcess heals, if they don't fit then I know I will need to go a size larger. Husbands walker wears a 1.5, my paso wears a 0.5. My paso and walker feet measure the same in length, the only difference is width, the walker is only a quarter of an inch or so wider than my paso. The glove does have a fit kit you can use to make sure you get the right size. I didn't use the fit kit, just measured, used the easycare calculator and went from there.:p