i know there was some discussion about a new folder with boot info?
im thinking of trying the equine fusion boots, has anyone tried these or have any experience using them on their laminitic horse?
shes currently in soft rides and sometimes easy boots but I just can’t seem to get a good fit in the easy boots, and would like to try something more breathable, it gets so hot here.
thank you !

depending upon how deformed the hoof is, I like Scoot boots for 24/7.  You can put a 6mm pad in. Scoots are open in the back, so boot heel rub is reduced.  Just keep an eye out for heel rubs by the bolts.  You can put vet wrap or moleskin on this area.  The boots come with a gaitor in the heel area.  It does not cover the bolts.  I have not tried it yet,, but the toe area in the boot, probably can be heat fitted for small toe flairs.  Since the boot is open in the side and back, the hoof can breath.  This lowers the threat of thrush.

Thanks
She actually has a pair of scoots, I’m mainly looking for something with a little more cushion. I switch her out between the soft rides and the others.
I have to wrap her Pastern with tape, or everything but the soft rides rub her.
I use scoots on my riding horses and luv them.

I would be interested in more information and what has and has not worked for others.

I never had a problem for 1 1/2 years with Scotty wearing Clouds. They wore well, did not create rubs, and did not twist. I took them off everyday to clean out shavings and use medicated powder on his lower legs to keep them dry and less itchy.

Fast forward to this year when his feet just seemed to *get away* from my farrier and he grew too much foot, too high of a heel, and his left foot has (1) either atrophied/contracted from all of the different trims and glue on's that have been tried, or (2) in my opinion has just gotten smaller because of the electric /grinding tool that the farrier used in place of nippers and the fact that hoof wall was ground off in making it smooth and ready to accept the glue, and then getting glue off when they didn't work.

I believe when his hoof grows out, it will once again become more *normal.* That is my opinion. Scotty was trimmed by the excellent farriers at UW-Wisconsin Vet School on June 13. It was decided to forego both the Easy Boot Clouds and Easy Boot Stratus boots I had for Soft Rides. It was suggested to stuff gaps in the Soft Rides (particularly for the left shrunken foot) with strips of kitchen sponge. That has not worked to keep the boot from twisting. It also came off once when he got up from laying down. Ended up ordering a smaller size Soft Rides left boot, and it still twists. Rocker wedges were screwed on the original bottoms of the Soft Rides, but I had my husband remove them after Scotty went from looking and walking like a new horse at UW to being extremely uncomfortable the next day. The farriers can't figure out what would have caused the sudden change; in my opinion it is due to the rocker wedges causing him to stand differently, so he just hurt in different places than he had hurt before due to stance. I'm still contemplating having the wedges put back on his Clouds, which he is now wearing again instead of the Soft Rides as they twist much less. Also experimenting with using the Soft Ride gel insert vs. the Cloud insert to see if there is a difference.

As far as to keep from twisting, I have tried wrapping with heavy gauze and vet wrap to make his foot "bigger", wrapping with baby diapers and vet wrap, the sponge fill in's, all to no avail. It was suggested to try Mueller's tape which I had never heard of but have it on order to arrive tomorrow. For now I have to keep him in the Clouds unless I am available to run out every time I look out the window to untwist his left boot. I am a prisoner in my own home.

Would love a discussion on other people's ideas and thoughts, what has worked, what hasn't, etc.

Hi Deb,

I feel for you with your struggles with boots.  I have had the exact same issue and have spent a small fortune on boots this year.  I envy all those members who have found boots that stay on their horses without twisting or falling off in the first hour!  One of my problems is that my horse is big boned, but now has rather small feet compared to his heel bulb/pastern size.  So some of the boots I have found rub his heel bulbs causing bruising, rubs and even little hematomas.    I have tried virtually every Easycare boot there is - thank goodness they have a generous return policy.  I have tried Fusions, Cavallos, etc. etc. and have not found a boot that fits his foot and his heel bulbs.  His foot shape won't work with scoot boots, plus he still needs a pad.  I did just get a pair of Easycare Epics because Peter Ramey likes them and said you can fit a pad in them, and with the clamp they are easier to fit a wide range of hoof shapes.  Low and behold they do seem to fit, but I have to start working up to them gradually to see if his heel bulbs survive.  And I am nervous about the metal on them because he plays hard, rearing, etc. with my other IR horse and I fear he will injure my other horse or catch the metal on something.  I am going to have to wrap his feet in tape or vet wrap to cover the metal.

The only boot I have found works is the Stratus boot which comes with a wonderfully thick and soft flat gel pad that my horse loves.  The pad lasts a long time without compressing.  To keep the boot from twisting or falling off, I vetwrap the bottom part of the boot below the power strap.  I used to wrap the whole thing up to the pasterns but discovered that was not needed - so I can get 4 boots out of one roll of vetwrap.  It's expensive doing that over time but it also helps prevent the boot from being damaged.  I have 4 sets of Stratus boots in my garage waiting to take to the leather repair shop becuase he tore the gator off the boot, but I think they can be sewn back on.  But if I vetwrap below the powerstrap, they don't get damaged.  I have had to downsize my boots twice - started as a size 5 and am down to a size 3 now.  

I dream about the day when I won't have to manage boots on him.  I hope that day is actually in our future and not just a wild dream.  

Try the vetwrap.

heidi

Deb, I feel your pain , Desi has two pair of soft rides, clouds and easy boots, and we just purchased a pair of Equine Fusions because her clouds would twist and her soft rides were too big now, and hot !
I tried a few times sizing down in those (she prefers them) but couldn’t get a good fit. She too has higher heels on one side.
I use diapers on her soft rides and they don’t twist but the clouds no matter what I try the one side won’t stay on. The gloves are too big as well but the size down won’t accommodate her left side, they do stay on but just don’t have enough cushion for her.
So far we’ve had pretty good luck with the fusions, oh she also has scoots , which I’m a huge fan of (use on my riding horses) but again not enough cushion.
I’ve also tried the vapors ( molded and taped), she had those off within hours 😊
Right now I’m pretty happy with the fusions, they’re staying on, lighter weight , and cushioned enough for her to be comfortable.
I think we got the active model which is easier to put on. The shipping is a lot slower than soft rides and I had to exchange twice, that was the hard part. If you decide to try them I would have them size for you.
Good luck!

Thanks all for those ideas. I appreciate sharing what has and hasn't worked. I am really at a point where I don't want to buy something else and have it fail...again. The problem is, I can't return them, as it takes Scotty more than a simple "try on" to tell me whether the boots are going to work for him or not. And once worn, they are not returnable.  I didn't like all the messing around with Easy Boot Epics (watched the video) and wow...if anyone has ever seen it...they have the demo horse standing on rocks!!!!! It also explained how you have to hold the leg up, put the boot on, and TWIST IT. Right there, they disqualified Scotty :) :)

Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B8FWhilX8Q

It's too bad there isn't a hoof boot library, where we could try this or that one for a week or two, and then return it. You would think with all of the competition in the hoof boot industry, someone would have thought of that. I'd sure be first in line to try their products.

On Wed, Jun 26, 2019 at 05:59 AM, Deb Walker wrote:

The problem is, I can't return them, as it takes Scotty more than a simple "try on" to tell me whether the boots are going to work for him or not. And once worn, they are not returnable.

Deb, there is quite an active market for second-hand boots, so you should be able to sell on a pair that doesn't fit. We have a number of Facebook and other groups over here that list boots for sale, so I'm sure you probably have similar ones there. At least half of my horses' extensive wardrobe of boots were bought second-hand.
 
--
Maxine and Indy (PPID) and Dangles (PPID)

Canberra, Australia 2010

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Maxine%20and%20Indy 
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Maxine%20and%20Indy/Dangles%20case%20history
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=933

Interesting Maxine. I have never bought second hand boots in my life. I don't participate in facebook, so perhaps that limits my options. Right now I am going broke buying boots.

Hi

Just want to say that there is a Bargain Bin section for Easycareinc website where some sizes have significant discounts. I bought a pair of Cloud boots from there before in excellent condition.

Also, for those interested in Scoot Boots, some dealers in the USA have a good trial program. I think if it doesn't work out, you return and only pay a trial fee which rather small compared to the price of purchasing the boots. Try Heartland Scoot Boots or Scoot Boot Adventures on Facebook. There was some feedback recently that Scoot mud straps were used on another person's horse with scoot boots that were 2 sizes too big and the scoot boots stayed on in an active trail ride. I haven't tried that as I only have normal scoots. But I've been keeping an eye out as I'm far away from everyone else so any boots I buy, I usually pay higher shipping AND  if they don't fit, there isn't really anyone to sell them on to, much less return.

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Cindy
Singapore, Sep 2017

Deb
One group is Hoof Boot Exchange
I’ve sold several pairs of mine on there,
I would have purchased these last ones
but I could never find a pair.
If you find what your looking for and they don’t work out I can promise you you’ll find a buyer, mine sold within minutes.

Plain old duct tape is a lot cheaper than vet wrap when using it on boots to help keep them in place, or to protect them.

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Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support

Hi Deb,
I am a lurker, having lost my mare last year. Still follow all the groups here.
I have very little experience with boots, but I wonder if a non skid material like Dycem would work to keep the boot from twisting. It looks like fruit roll up, is rubbery, thin sheet. I used to use it on chairs so the kids I worked with wouldn’t slide off. If you know any Physical or Occupational Therapists see if maybe they can get you a little to try. Or, you could maybe try using the generic version of it that you can buy in small rolls, about the size of a placemat. They have it in Home Depot, I think. It looks sort of woven/waffle like.
Good luck! You are really a great horse mom to your boy.
Best,
Aimée
NJ 2014

Thank you everyone. You have given me lots of good ideas and I do really appreciate it. Right now, I had my husband put the *made up rocker wedges* from UW on an old pair of Clouds. Just so I had options if I needed to switch out. Two days in, they are not twisting horribly, and he is walking pretty well, but not perfect. I am trying to give it time to let his body adjust to the changes that the rocker addition adds.

I'll keep that in mind Laura re: F/book. There are just people I need to avoid for my sanity.

I liked the sound of that Scoot boot trial program but no way would those work for Scotty. He needs LOTS of padding to be comfortable. I sure wish there was something cooler though than the Clouds or Soft Rides. They are predicting heat indexes near or over 100 for the next week. I would sure hate having those hot boots on my feet :(

I just got Desi (I think I have already mentioned these) some equine fusion boots, a lot lighter and every time I have taken them off for cleaning they’ve not been smelly 😊
We’re really hot here too, I don’t know if maybe they have some mark downs available, but you could try their website?
Natural Hoofcare

Thank you Bobbie. I will look into that. It sounds like you and Desi are in the same boat as we are.

I guess a clarification should be made between those of you who ride and use boots for riding, and those of us with retired horse and/or either lamanitic or recovering, who use boots 24/7. Scotty is the 24/7 category. The farriers at UW said he may never be able to go without boots, which was disappointing to hear, but one does what one has to do.

Years ago for trail riding, I used Easy Boot gloves, and much like the descriptions for Scoots, they protected his always tender soles from being ouchy on the trail and were easy to put on and take off.

Plain old duct tape is a lot cheaper than vet wrap when using it on boots to help keep them in place, or to protect them.

--

Lavinia...are you saying duct tape on the outside of the boot (since you mentioned to protect them? I have been using various techniques/products to put around his left hoof to make it bigger, so as not to twist in the boot. However, at one point, since I had tried to modify the Velcro closures, I did put vet wrap around them in order to protect the Velcro.

Duct tape can be used on the outside of the boot to help keep the velcro closed - just wrap it around the entire boot so it overlaps itself as it sticks best to itself. You can also use it over diapers for more durability, tape hoof pads on with it, make temporary booties - your imagination is the limit.

It can be applied directly across the heel bulbs to prevent abrasion/sores from occurring if boots have a tendency to twist. Can also stick it directly to the hair on the hocks/hips for a quick "hock wrap" to prevent pressure sores from developing on horses that are down for extended periods or find it difficult to get up.

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Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support