I am considering getting Winnie a set of boots to help her be more comfortable but I am not sure if I'm wasting my time and money or if they are of benefit to a horse who is a pasture pet and not in any work and never leaves the property? I will get my trimmer to read up on all your advice and ensure her trim is optimised for her to be pain free but should I also consider putting boots on her or is there little point as it's only masking the symptom rather than helping to cure anything? Or does it help them to recover?

Any advice is appreciated, to make it clear she isn't hopping lame  but she is sore, she walks about lots. If you do recommend boots then how often do you recommend they are worn i.e a few hours a day? Overnight? For weeks? etc etc?

Lastly again if you do recommend boots is there a specific brand which is preferable?

Thank you all

p.s sorry to keep posting lots of questions, this is all new to me

--
Cleo

Dec 2017 - Kent, UK

Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cleo%20and%20Winnie 

Just found you have a sub forum for hoof issues with questions on boots so please delete this. I did try but it won't let me

Thanks
--
Cleo

Dec 2017 - Kent, UK

Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cleo%20and%20Winnie 

Hi Cleo,

Well fitted boots and pads do not just mask symptoms, they assist in recovery as well. If the sole is thin the padding will protect it from excess concussive forces and abrasion. Same if there is little-to-no concavity. It can be used to provide relief to the leading edge of the coffin bone by cutting out the area directly under its leading edge while supporting the rest of the sole fully.

By making the horse comfortable, they encourage heel first landings so the horse is moving correctly rather than continuing to land in a detrimental toe-first way.

Pads that form to the all the nooks and crannies of the rear half of the foot will provide extra support and will allow for the pressure-and-release that stimulates circulation.

All of these speed up the healing process.

I recommend that any time the horse is not comfortable moving about it should be booted/padded until it is. Which boots you use will depend on which ones fit the horse the best and are suited for the current activity level. Pads will depend on what makes the horse comfortable at that particular point in time. Both will need to be re-evaluated regularly to make sure they are still correct as the horse's individual situation changes.

--
Lavinia, Dante, George Too

Jan 05, RI

EC Support Team

I just added Easycare Cloud Boots to Silhouette's boot closet. She already had the New Trail boots and Glove boots, and although I have pads in both of those, I wanted a very cushy pad for extra comfort for intermittent ring bone discomfort. The Cloud boot comes with a very thick pad for extra comfort and is good for turnout, but not recommended for riding. The nice thing about Easycare is that if the boot does not fit properly or help your horse as you expect, you can sent them back. No hassle. Tons of info online about their many types of boot, best use, and sizing. http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_cloud/easyboot_cloud.aspx 

Best of luck.
--

Claudia & Silhouette  02/2014

California Central Coast 

Silhouette Case History

Lavinia

Thank you for your help. Ok that's good to know, lots of conflicting information out there with some people saying it masks it and not to use them so I am glad you feel it is better to use boots.

In the UK there are many times of boots and it is all very confusing. She has quite small feet and I don't really know where to start in terms of which boots to get her

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a specific type/brand/model of boot to try first? That might not be a question that is simple or possible to answer but with 100's to choose from I am just not sure. 

Winnie is retired so she only needs them to potter about in, not to do any work

Thank you

--
Cleo

Dec 2016 - Kent, UK

Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cleo%20and%20Winnie 

Dec 2016 - Kent, UK

Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cleo%20and%20Winnie 

Claudia

Thank you. She is not in work and only on turnout so those boots might be an option. I will see if I can find them in the UK. I appreciate the suggestion

Dec 2016 - Kent, UK

Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cleo%20and%20Winnie 

From my experience and that of others on the list, the best turn-out boots are Easy-boot Transition, Easy-boot Cloud, Cavallo Simple Sport (this is what I had on Maggie when the temps dipped below -20 C and there was no snow on the ground), any of the Equine Fusion (I find they don't stay on when riding, but not a problem for Winnie); the Transitions or Clouds look like the best bet for turn-out (I haven't used them yet), but of course they are the most costly.  Here are a couple of UK websites, which have boots and also good information on measuring and ordering: https://www.hoofbootique.co.uk/boots.html https://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/d_2_hoof-boots  http://www.cannockchaseequine.co.uk/Hoof-Boots_B25JYZ.aspx   Be prepared for a certain amount of frustration measuring the feet, deciding which boots will suit best, and which ones to order. It's nice if you can send them back if they don't fit. (horse's feet, like human feet, can be quite variable.)
--

Jaini (BVSc),Merlin (over the bridge) ,Maggie,Gypsy

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Jaini%20and%20Merlin-Maggie-Gypsy

Jaini

Great advice as always. I will contact hoof bootique now and see what she suggests is best. I think Winnie will benefit from some boots. Cost isn't important, you can't put a price on comfort and happiness. The measuring I have heard is tedious as often it doesnt work out right. Her next trim is next weekend when I intend to measure and take good photo's for her case file.

--
Cleo

Dec 2016 - Kent, UK

Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cleo%20and%20Winnie