Make shift soaking boot

NewtoMules · 06-03-2008, 10:25 PM

Since I need to soak my girl's hoof twice a day AND work full time, I decided that I want to buy one of those soaking boots or equine slippers. However, no one local sells it and any place online will take 3-7 days to arrive.

So, I was thinking of taking a heavy duty velcro bell boot and duck taping a baby diaper to the bottom (allowing enough stretch to open and close bell boot). I guess, the worst thing that would happen is I ruin a perfectly fine bell boot. However, it might work as a make-shift slipper/soaking boot.

I thought of putting a cradboard layer on the bottom to keep it sturdy, but not sure of that.

Anyone think this might work or am I crazy?? I can always just use the traditional vet wrap and duck tape until a soaking boot is ordered and arrives.

mlh619 · 06-03-2008, 11:55 PM

If you just need to soak it go to your local vet hospital and get the old/used/out of date IV bags. They come in like a 1 gallon size for large animals and are made of a very durable material. You just put your water and epsom salt (or whatever you are using) in the bag and duct tape it to the leg. Stand there for 10 to 15 minutes while it soaks and the dump it out. When you wrap the foot (if you are doing that which it sounds like you are) put the diaper on the foot and you the velcro to hold it on the have a duct tape 10x10 inch square to put on the bottom (you will have made two of these while the foot was soaking). Then vet wrap from the coronet band over the toe to the heal and then around the hoof to hold it on and put the second duct tape square on the bottom then duct tape around the hoof not to tight and voila the whole process has only took 20 minutes the from the time you started taking the dressing off until you replace it. We did this in -30 C weather and the first duct tape helps keep the bottom of the diaper dry because our horse wore throught the outer one. If you have to do this for any length of time a boot would be better that vet wrap as the vet wrap will eventually contract the heels just like a shoe.

The IV bags are reusable until the spring a leak which is usually 6-7 soaks depending on how much your horse moves. The horse we had would shuffle around but no to crazy like! Hope you can find some of those bags.

lady dumpling · 06-04-2008, 12:12 AM

here's another idea for a soaking boot ,make one from a tire inner tube.Cut the tube so that it is a long sleeve that will pull over your horses leg.make it several inches longer than the length of the leg from the knee to the ground.Cut a few slits in the top and bottom of the tube for threading a strap or bailing twine through .When the sleeve is on the horses's leg fold the bottom back up against the leg and secure the strap around the pastern. Fill the tube from top with soaking material, then secure the strap around the upper part of the leg.

NewtoMules · 06-04-2008, 09:55 PM

Great ideas guys!

I actually made my own today. It seems to work fairly well. Not sure how well it will hold up, but hopefully I can make it last a few more days, LOL.

Crookedblaze · 06-04-2008, 09:58 PM

I have always used diapers :-P

GOod luck with your girl. I hope that her foot gets better soon

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06-03-2008, 10:25 PM
NewtoMules Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 436	Make shift soaking boot Since I need to soak my girl's hoof twice a day AND work full time, I decided that I want to buy one of those soaking boots or equine slippers. However, no one local sells it and any place online will take 3-7 days to arrive. So, I was thinking of taking a heavy duty velcro bell boot and duck taping a baby diaper to the bottom (allowing enough stretch to open and close bell boot). I guess, the worst thing that would happen is I ruin a perfectly fine bell boot. However, it might work as a make-shift slipper/soaking boot. I thought of putting a cradboard layer on the bottom to keep it sturdy, but not sure of that. Anyone think this might work or am I crazy?? I can always just use the traditional vet wrap and duck tape until a soaking boot is ordered and arrives. __________________ "Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses." - Elizabeth Taylor http://outofshaperider.blogspot.com

06-03-2008, 11:55 PM
mlh619 Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sask, Canada Posts: 489	If you just need to soak it go to your local vet hospital and get the old/used/out of date IV bags. They come in like a 1 gallon size for large animals and are made of a very durable material. You just put your water and epsom salt (or whatever you are using) in the bag and duct tape it to the leg. Stand there for 10 to 15 minutes while it soaks and the dump it out. When you wrap the foot (if you are doing that which it sounds like you are) put the diaper on the foot and you the velcro to hold it on the have a duct tape 10x10 inch square to put on the bottom (you will have made two of these while the foot was soaking). Then vet wrap from the coronet band over the toe to the heal and then around the hoof to hold it on and put the second duct tape square on the bottom then duct tape around the hoof not to tight and voila the whole process has only took 20 minutes the from the time you started taking the dressing off until you replace it. We did this in -30 C weather and the first duct tape helps keep the bottom of the diaper dry because our horse wore throught the outer one. If you have to do this for any length of time a boot would be better that vet wrap as the vet wrap will eventually contract the heels just like a shoe. The IV bags are reusable until the spring a leak which is usually 6-7 soaks depending on how much your horse moves. The horse we had would shuffle around but no to crazy like! Hope you can find some of those bags.

06-04-2008, 12:12 AM
lady dumpling Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: alberta Posts: 847	here's another idea for a soaking boot ,make one from a tire inner tube.Cut the tube so that it is a long sleeve that will pull over your horses leg.make it several inches longer than the length of the leg from the knee to the ground.Cut a few slits in the top and bottom of the tube for threading a strap or bailing twine through .When the sleeve is on the horses's leg fold the bottom back up against the leg and secure the strap around the pastern. Fill the tube from top with soaking material, then secure the strap around the upper part of the leg. __________________ Good thing my horses can't post about MY vices!

06-04-2008, 09:55 PM
NewtoMules Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 436	Great ideas guys! I actually made my own today. It seems to work fairly well. Not sure how well it will hold up, but hopefully I can make it last a few more days, LOL. __________________ "Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses." - Elizabeth Taylor http://outofshaperider.blogspot.com

06-04-2008, 09:58 PM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,360	I have always used diapers :-P GOod luck with your girl. I hope that her foot gets better soon __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab