Hi Kim. I completely understand your concerns with boots. For 100% of the time since August of 2017 to currently, Scotty has been in either Clouds, Stratus, or glue on shoe/boots 24/7. He has never had thrush. Except for when he specifically had to keep them on without changing (when he first had Ultimates on and later when he had a 5-6 week period of Stratus boots on without changing them per farrier's instructions) I take his boots off each day. Scrub out the shavings and/or dirt with a wire brush and use a softer brush to liberally apply $ Store medicated powder from his knees down. I have found that their poor legs and pasterns get really itchy, and if your horse is anything like Scotty, she will stand like a statue while you brush her legs and fetlocks working the powder in. As Diane mentioned, it is valuable to have a backup pair (or two) so that if they get really wet from either rain or sweat, that you can switch your horse to completely dry ones while the others get cleaned and dried out. If it's a hot, sunny day, I set them in the sun to dry; otherwise I loop them over the rail where his barn fan is blowing and let the fan do the work. I was really REALLY worried about thrush when all of this started, as he has had it in the past as a barefoot horse in various boarding situations. But I've been very pleased to not have had it happen (yet) with the boots.
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Deb and Scotty I/R Probably PPID
Northwest Illinois, May 13, 2019
Case History:
 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Deb%20and%20Scotty
Photos:
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=90619

Hi Kim,
Keeping the hoof dry in the Big and bulky boots is hard.  Best to have 2 sets.  One on the horse, one washed and drying.  I really like the Scoot Boot for extended turn out.  It is open and breaths nicely. It is flexible and a 6mmpad can be used.  The only time the Scoots do not work is in wet winters that freeze.  Cold induced laminitis needs socks or leg wraps.  Scoots will let the socks get to wet.  For long term protection, many boots for different times.

Hi Kim,

Before you put the boots on, liberally dust her soles with athlete's foot powder (like Gold Bond or the generic versions) or diatomaceous earth. That will help to keep everything drier and keep the greeblies at bay.

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Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support

Good Morning.

I ride my horse in Cavallo's, as she is sore on gravel, she was just trimmed and stepped on a rock... go figure... and she's lame on the left front. I'd like to keep her in boots for a few days - she's sound in boots. How do you keep the hoof dry? I worry about her getting thrush or other issues wearing them for too long. 

I did cast her right after her trim, but they didn't stay on for more than 10 hours... not sure what I did wrong this time but she walked right out of them... Ugh... she wants to be barefoot...

Thanks for you advise! Kim
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