Hoof Boots- Cavallo Vs. Old Macs

[RedHotTamale17]

Ok i have read several posts on here about the pros and cons of hoof boots....i have narrowed it down to 2. My appy with all the lamess issues right now needs som corrective trimming so i want to buy him boots for his tender feet instead of shoeing and re shoeing while we are working his feet issues out. so i think im going to invest in some quality boots for him to be comfortable on the road in.
Those of you who have used both or either which do you prefer?
Should i buy the inserts and or pastern wraps?
I have noticed the old Mac sizing is different. My horse would wear a 5 in those whereas in the Cavallos the sizing goes by shoe size??? Im new to these things so im not sure how it goes or rally what the best ways to measure are....shoul i buy according to exact measurements or a little bigger?
If anyone has any used ones for sale in either brand i am interested! Im interested in finding a used pair for now of either brand so i can decide whether to buy new ones for a few of my horses before i spend almost $150+ per pair!
Let me know your thoughts!
thanks guys!

[grullatobiano]

Both Cavallos and Old Macs rub on the pastern/coronet band. I was trail riding (mountain, multi-day rides) with some ladies this summer who were trying out a bunch of different boots. Cavallo used to make the Old Macs, but they sold the patent to EasyCare and moved on to the Simple Boot. They were okay, but almost perfect circles, which most light-horse breeds don't fit into very well. The boot extends past the coronet band though, and on long rides creates almost a rope burn. One lady had to stop the CAvallo boots after one day, she switched all four to Epics.

Easyboot epics worked the best, but you need to buy locking/clevis pins to hold the buckle closed; the manufacturer doesn't mention this. They do fall off periodically, mostly on steep mud or shale. We had to stop a fair bit for boot re-adjustment. The people with steel shoes didn't have to worry...steel shoes that are well-anchored are pretty low-maintenance! I heard really negative things about the Boas, but even the Endurance riders we had along didn't mind the Epics so much.

[Horse_Orderly]

http://www.renegadehoofboots.com/

Just to mess with your decision, here's another up and coming boot that endurance riders seem to like.

[RedHotTamale17]

Originally Posted by Horse_Orderly

http://www.renegadehoofboots.com/

Just to mess with your decision, here's another up and coming boot that endurance riders seem to like.

Those are too funny...they remind me of little horsey air jordans or somewthing like that.
Have you ever personally tried these? they definately dont look like they would rub as bad if at all, what about the little wires on the side...i guess its basicall the little join on the side of the boot, they dont look promising but its hard to tell from the pics?? they are pretty expensive for them to really havent even hit the market yet, but im definately open to advice and opinions. I dont do long trail rides or any crazy endurance rides but i wanted to stay away from metal shoes just b/c he needs some more trims and in the long run if i can find a good pair of boots they would be more cost efficient. I live in a sandy area but my horse is older and came from the cost and im more central so even our sandy ground is a little tough for him in packed areas....im going to look more into these...thanks for the link!
Amanda

[grullatobiano]

Yet more information, I think the best option for boots is "horsewings". They are all custom made, you may have to google "horsewings" or "horse sneakers". They are a lot like the Epic, but they will fit your horse specifically, and I imagine that would prevent a lot of the trouble we saw on the trail this year.

The Cavallos were really easy to put on, and if you're mostly riding on soft, flat ground, they might be worth a try. They didn't hold up to Mountain use, but they are affordable and looked well-built.

The Easyboot Epics take a lot of fooling around to put on, and in "deep" ground like mud they tended to get askew. IF you ride in a lot of sand, they may not work as well.

One unanimous opinion was to NOT use vet wrap around the pastern to prevent rubs. Because the vet wrap has ridges where you wrap it, it makes the rope burn worse.

Not trying to change your mind about boots, because if you don't ride really consistently they are probably a good option, but metal shoes provide a lot more support and promote better hoof growth/shape. The boots will do nothing to help the horse's hoof correct itself. Also, I have heard people with "tender footed" horses mention that the boots do nothing for their horses, they have much better luck with shoes and full pads.

[BarnBum]

We use old macs on out mounted patrol unit. Never had any issues with them as far as causing lameness or rubbing. They have stayed on in the mud, water, etc ........

[Natural Nut]

Another option How about Ground Control Shoes? I think the website is plastichorseshoes I have a friend using these for the past few months and they are working great. I bought a pair for my mare and she has had them on for 1 week now, Ill let you know later if they have helped her. She is very tender footed and has very short heels.

As far as boots for the ride around the farm I really like the Cavallo boots. I have the Easy boot Epics and they are MURDER to get off. I bought 3 pairs of Cavallo boots and really like them. I have not used them for long hard rides but for around the farm they are Great I have an extra pair of size 4 never been on a horse if they will work for you, let me know!

[dodib]

I have a pair of Cavallos--I love them!! I have a very tender footed mare and hate having shoes on her(she has a hard time keeping them on-throws them too much)
They do not rub her at all-- it did take me a couple tries to the get the right size--they were too big twice!!! But now that we have the correct size they are great. easy on easy off-- but stay in place while riding.................

[Gotta Love Duns]

Originally Posted by BarnBum

We use old macs on out mounted patrol unit. Never had any issues with them as far as causing lameness or rubbing. They have stayed on in the mud, water, etc ........

I have a couple pairs of Old Macs as well and I love them too! I have done some pretty long mountain trail rides, major mud, rivers, as well as our parades and honour gaurds with them and not had any rubbing or lameness issues.

[RedHotTamale17]

How much are they...every where i check is different? I know my appy is a size 5 according to old mac sizing...im not sure if its the same for cavallos and i havent gotten to measure my other horse....let me know the price and let me check on measurements and ill let you know!
Thanks!!

[luvmyOTTBs]

Hi, I have used the Boas, and don't have anything good to say, my horse was bigger than a size 1 but smaller than a size 2, so they would keep turning. Also I lost one on a ride, the dial would pop open and the cables would loosen up and every once in awhile one would pop off. One day, I never could find it. I now have easy boot epics, and much prefer those. They have the built in gators, and I haven't had any problems so far. With the boas I had to buy the gators separate, they rubbed my horses pasterns without them.

I have also used the ground control shoes. www.plastichorseshoes.com
I really liked them, I was able to get three resets out of them (I did alot of road riding). They are expensive shoes, but they have lots of give, and my horse did very well with them. I did find that it took him a little while to get used to them, we were using steels before, and with these when they walk on the road, they grip instead of slide. It only took the one ride for him to get used to them.

I am saving my money for the hoofwings, those really peak my interest, was wondering if there was anyone that has them.

Good luck in deciding

[RedHotTamale17]

Originally Posted by Natural Nut

Another option How about Ground Control Shoes? I think the website is plastichorseshoes I have a friend using these for the past few months and they are working great. I bought a pair for my mare and she has had them on for 1 week now, Ill let you know later if they have helped her. She is very tender footed and has very short heels.

As far as boots for the ride around the farm I really like the Cavallo boots. I have the Easy boot Epics and they are MURDER to get off. I bought 3 pairs of Cavallo boots and really like them. I have not used them for long hard rides but for around the farm they are Great I have an extra pair of size 4 never been on a horse if they will work for you, let me know!

hey...i forgot to quote you on this before i posted so i am re-posting...How much are they...every where i check is different? I know my appy is a size 5 according to old mac sizing...im not sure if its the same for cavallos and i havent gotten to measure my other horse....let me know the price and let me check on measurements and ill let you know!
Thanks!!

[RedHotTamale17]

Originally Posted by luvmyOTTBs

Hi, I have used the Boas, and don't have anything good to say, my horse was bigger than a size 1 but smaller than a size 2, so they would keep turning. Also I lost one on a ride, the dial would pop open and the cables would loosen up and every once in awhile one would pop off. One day, I never could find it. I now have easy boot epics, and much prefer those. They have the built in gators, and I haven't had any problems so far. With the boas I had to buy the gators separate, they rubbed my horses pasterns without them.

I have also used the ground control shoes. www.plastichorseshoes.com
I really liked them, I was able to get three resets out of them (I did alot of road riding). They are expensive shoes, but they have lots of give, and my horse did very well with them. I did find that it took him a little while to get used to them, we were using steels before, and with these when they walk on the road, they grip instead of slide. It only took the one ride for him to get used to them.

I am saving my money for the hoofwings, those really peak my interest, was wondering if there was anyone that has them.

Good luck in deciding

I have never heard of those ground control shoes...they are a LOT cheaper than boots....i may try those...do you apply them yourself or does your farrier do that for you? Do you keep them on for the same amt. of time as steel shoes? They may work for my horse...i dont do a lot of hard riding but my horse is tender footed.....how do they hold up on high speeds? I wonder if they would work for my barrel horse? Thansk for the link!

[luvmyOTTBs]

Originally Posted by RedHotTamale17

I have never heard of those ground control shoes...they are a LOT cheaper than boots....i may try those...do you apply them yourself or does your farrier do that for you? Do you keep them on for the same amt. of time as steel shoes? They may work for my horse...i dont do a lot of hard riding but my horse is tender footed.....how do they hold up on high speeds? I wonder if they would work for my barrel horse? Thansk for the link!

Your farrier applies them. Best way to measure is trace the outline of your horses foot. If you go on the website, you can order an info package, match up your horses foot to the shoe size that is a little bigger. Excess gets trimmed off with the nippers. There is a recessed area for nails. My horse naturally over reaches so I always wore bell boots with him. I did lots of road riding (crap trails where I was at that time), and I pick up all my gaits, we had no problem galloping with them. They aren't cheaper than boots, I had to replace them every 3rd reset, aprox. every 20 weeks. I am from Canada and it cost me about $25.00 a pair.

The difference they made were unbelievable, no more concussion. They absorb alot of impact and let the foot flex. It has been a wet summer here, and I haven't had them on all season though. If you can afford it, they are awesome. Price was becoming an issue with me as well, and I am trying the barefoot thing with easy boots for the summer. But, the easyboots suck for galloping, he overreaches and catches the boot.

Hope this helps74.38.169.133

[Horse_Orderly]

I'm leaning towards the Cavallos myself. I too had a hard time with the Boa boot on my guy. The dial kept popping off and he kept stepping out of them.
I thought the Renegades looked interesting.......I'm waiting to see if the girl from work gets them for her horse. Socks currently has his shoes on but in the event that he throws it again, I'd like to be better prepared.

My friend also tried the ground control shoes but they didn't stand up too well for her horse.....she does do CTR's and endurance though.

[BarnBum]

Originally Posted by RedHotTamale17

How much are they...every where i check is different? I know my appy is a size 5 according to old mac sizing...im not sure if its the same for cavallos and i havent gotten to measure my other horse....let me know the price and let me check on measurements and ill let you know!
Thanks!!

Last I saw the old macs were around $150 for a pair. So $300 for a set
Size 5 .... holy cow !! Big feet !! When you measure, measure right before a trim or reshod. <farrier can help measure correctly> If you measure the foot when it is the smallest, hence right after a trim, as the foot grows the old macs will get small and tight and the horses foot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,hence a big casue of rubbing/lameness.

We tried a pair of BOAS and the horse wearing them went lame within 30 minutes. Chucked back to the dealer. Old Macs have been very dependable for us on our mounted unit.

I think EBAY has them but personally, I would buy from a repitable horse supplier as for any case if the boots didn't work out / fit , you can return them.

Also, this topic/boots has been discussed quite extensively, if you do a search for them on here, you will find a few more threads on them !!! Maybe they can provide some more help for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck !!

Hope this helps !!

[redboy]

Valley Vet carries Old Mac's Generation 2, sizes 0-6 for $139.40 a pair, sizes 7-10 are $153.00 a pair.
I'm seriously considering them for my guy and I've yet to measure his feet.
My farrier said he wears a 1 shoe.
So, ANY help or info about sizing would help me as well. Thanks all, Redboy

PS. www.valleyvet.com, or #1-800-356-1005

[luvmyOTTBs]

Originally Posted by redboy

Valley Vet carries Old Mac's Generation 2, sizes 0-6 for $139.40 a pair, sizes 7-10 are $153.00 a pair.
I'm seriously considering them for my guy and I've yet to measure his feet.
My farrier said he wears a 1 shoe.
So, ANY help or info about sizing would help me as well. Thanks all, Redboy

PS. www.valleyvet.com, or #1-800-356-1005

Redboy,

Usually if you go on the website, it will tell you how to measure and find the size you need. Here is the sizing for old macs. They suggest you measure after a trim.
http://www.easycareinc.com/Our_Boots...g2_sizing.aspx

Hope this helps.

[journeysgirl]

I have the Old Mac G2's and love them. I use them on my gelding. We do mounted search and rescue. Lots of trail riding, and lots of road riding. They hold up really well. I never have had them turn, rub or anything. I've ridden through shin deep mud, rivers, you name it. No problems with them.

I got mine through ValleyVet.com One trick, when you get them. Put a gallon ziplock bag on your horses foot before putting the boot on to keep the boot clean.

[redboy]

I actually have one other question..., Can you just put hoof boots on the front, or do they reccommend doing all 4 feet??
When I've put shoes pn my horse, it was usually only on the front feet.
And I was basically only planning to do that with the Old Mac's, as well.
Thanks, Redboy