Boots vs. metal shoes

GodsGifts · 09-17-2008, 08:02 PM

My gelding needs to be shod at all times in order to ride comfortably. His feet are ouchie on a hard surface, but in pasture he's fine.

So I was thinking of maybe getting boots for him, like Mac boost or easy boots.

So who uses them here? Gives me your pro's and con's. Tell me what you like and what you don't like. Is it worth the money?

I need any and all opinions and information.
Thanks

Horse_Orderly · 09-18-2008, 07:40 AM

I just bought some Cavallos. I really like the ease of putting them on. I like that the sole doesn't sit directly on his sole. I also borrowed an Old Mac and he walked ok in that.....hurts his feet to have pressure on his soles.

Ridekool · 09-18-2008, 07:50 AM

I have a pair of Old Macs (the originals) they work great but can be a pain to put on.
I am buying a pair of Cavallo's ($130 CND) soon and will prob'ly buy a pair of Easyboot Epics ($75 each) (differnt horses different needs)

I used to have shoes on one of my mares and found they caused more problems then anything. Her hoof walls were brittle she was always sore, she had no tracion on the road and was constantly throwing shoes.

In my opinion hoof boots ae the way to go, there's no trauma to the foot and they can last forever (depending on how much riding you do) They are worth the money.

BarnBum · 09-18-2008, 08:51 AM

I have used OLD MACS on our mounted unit. Pros- they will get you thru any terrain from mud to rocks. They will stay on and not turn. Cons- Pain at times to put on and they have some weight to them. They are a solid boot with great protection. I have always wanted to try the Cavallos.

I would go with boots vs shoes. You can toughen up the bottoms of their feet with some venice turpentine.

foreveryours · 09-18-2008, 11:06 AM

I just ordered some BOA boots for my TB mare, she has really flat feet and gets really ouchy outside the arena so hopfully these work for her.

fishing_trex · 09-18-2008, 04:12 PM

The Cavellos are nice but sometimes are hard to fit. The Old Macs and Boas are easy to put on but are heavier than some. I use the Easy Boot Epics or Bares --- the Epics are hard to put on unless you remove the heel strap (which I do) and the Bares are aptly names as they are a 'bear' to put on.

luvmyOTTBs · 09-19-2008, 12:34 PM

I have had the Boas, and had problems with twisting as well as the button popping up and the cable coming loose. I finally lost one all together on a ride. I decided to upgrade to the epics, and today was my 4th or 5th ride with them this morning, and here is what the one looks like now. Yep, he ripped the gator right off.

Needless to say, I have an e-mail into the easyboot company already and am waiting for a reply.

BarnBum · 09-19-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreveryours

I just ordered some BOA boots for my TB mare, she has really flat feet and gets really ouchy outside the arena so hopfully these work for her.

Be careful with the BOAS, made a couple horses lame on our mounted unit. Sent them back. Old Macs have worked the best for us.

smaloney · 09-19-2008, 01:45 PM

I ride my mare in Easyboots... and love them... I lost one once because I didn't put it on tight enough... I found it later though, phew because they are about $60 per boot....

They can be tough to get on at first but once you've worked them in they're pretty easy. I have heard stores of them getting sucked off in the mud in which case the person probably should've had epics on instead... easyboots are more for hard/rocky terrain.

They don't come above the coronary band and therefore have no chance of rubbing on the skin. I have found mine to collect a small ammount of sand and grass seed type plants... no harm done there.

They are slippery in the mud! You really have to know your terrain before chooising a boot... personally my horse is fine in the mus, gass and sort trail... but if I know there's gravel... the boots go on

In the long run they're MUCH cheaper than shoes as you don't need to replace them every 6-8 weeks!

CatsTack · 09-24-2008, 09:36 AM

The best thing 'bout boots is that you can upt them on when you need them an take them off when you don't.

Horse Orderly, if your horsey doesn't like pressure on his sole he probably has thin soles. The best way to do this is putting pads inside the boot. The sole must have some pressure to build itself. You can use anything to pad the boot to put pressure on the sole.

LuvmyOTTBs, have you heard back from Easy Care Inc., yet? I believe they have a warranty on all their boots.

luvmyOTTBs · 09-24-2008, 10:51 AM

LuvmyOTTBs, have you heard back from Easy Care Inc., yet? I believe they have a warranty on all their boots.[/quote]

I have heard back but with disappointing news. They say because he stepped on the boot, the warranty won't cover the damage. I can send the boot back to them (at my cost) and they can repair it for $26 plus $5 in labour. I paid $110 for the pair, and I didn't feel it was worth sending back. If I unstitch the other one, then I can just go back to having easyboots. The boots are just easyboots with a sewn in gaitor. I have the gaitors from my Boas, I can try those if I feel like I need them.

I did let the easyboot company know I will not make any future purchases from their company.

GodsGifts · 09-25-2008, 06:00 PM

Thanks everyone this is great. I've decied to go with the Mac boots. They look more difficult to put on then the boas but velcro is easier to replace and i like the traction on the mac where the boas are mostly flat. I do alot of road riding. So this winter my man is gonna get some running shoes!!!

I get laughed at when i tell people.

foreveryours · 09-25-2008, 06:18 PM

i gt my boas today... the y were easy to put on, and my mare doesn't have a problem with them on... we will see how she goes tomorrow when I have time to ride her!!

CatsTack · 09-26-2008, 09:53 AM

Sorry to hear 'bout that luvmyOTTBs.

luvmyOTTBs · 09-27-2008, 07:22 AM

I am looking into the hoofwings and renegades now. I haven't had luck with the easy boots or the Boas now. I find the Old Macs to be bulky, and really the design of the hoofwings. Just need to save up a little.

badguybuster · 09-29-2008, 10:48 AM

I use Easy boots on my horses and have no complaints but I have a client who uses the Cavallo boots and she swears by them. They are well padded around the rim, have good tread, and are VERY easy to put on. Plus, they are a bit less expensive. I use mine for roping, cutting, and even packing in the mountains. They have over 500 miles on them and still have over half the tread left.

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09-17-2008, 08:02 PM
GodsGifts Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cornwall, Ontario Posts: 419	Boots vs. metal shoes My gelding needs to be shod at all times in order to ride comfortably. His feet are ouchie on a hard surface, but in pasture he's fine. So I was thinking of maybe getting boots for him, like Mac boost or easy boots. So who uses them here? Gives me your pro's and con's. Tell me what you like and what you don't like. Is it worth the money? I need any and all opinions and information. Thanks __________________ Animals Are Family We Choose For Ourselves

09-18-2008, 07:40 AM
Horse_Orderly Started Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,317	I just bought some Cavallos. I really like the ease of putting them on. I like that the sole doesn't sit directly on his sole. I also borrowed an Old Mac and he walked ok in that.....hurts his feet to have pressure on his soles. __________________ J.H.S. Jr 11/4/76-7/3/09 sailing calmer waters

09-18-2008, 07:50 AM
Ridekool Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 14	I have a pair of Old Macs (the originals) they work great but can be a pain to put on. I am buying a pair of Cavallo's ($130 CND) soon and will prob'ly buy a pair of Easyboot Epics ($75 each) (differnt horses different needs) I used to have shoes on one of my mares and found they caused more problems then anything. Her hoof walls were brittle she was always sore, she had no tracion on the road and was constantly throwing shoes. In my opinion hoof boots ae the way to go, there's no trauma to the foot and they can last forever (depending on how much riding you do) They are worth the money. __________________ "Our scars have the power to remind us that the past was real." -Hannibal Lecter

09-18-2008, 08:51 AM
BarnBum Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 5,862	I have used OLD MACS on our mounted unit. Pros- they will get you thru any terrain from mud to rocks. They will stay on and not turn. Cons- Pain at times to put on and they have some weight to them. They are a solid boot with great protection. I have always wanted to try the Cavallos. I would go with boots vs shoes. You can toughen up the bottoms of their feet with some venice turpentine. __________________ *Life is a coin, you can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.*

09-18-2008, 11:06 AM
foreveryours Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,004	I just ordered some BOA boots for my TB mare, she has really flat feet and gets really ouchy outside the arena so hopfully these work for her. __________________ My Website Help my dragons hatch & grow!!CLICK HERE

09-18-2008, 04:12 PM
fishing_trex Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,444	The Cavellos are nice but sometimes are hard to fit. The Old Macs and Boas are easy to put on but are heavier than some. I use the Easy Boot Epics or Bares --- the Epics are hard to put on unless you remove the heel strap (which I do) and the Bares are aptly names as they are a 'bear' to put on. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

09-19-2008, 12:34 PM
luvmyOTTBs Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ON Posts: 57	I have had the Boas, and had problems with twisting as well as the button popping up and the cable coming loose. I finally lost one all together on a ride. I decided to upgrade to the epics, and today was my 4th or 5th ride with them this morning, and here is what the one looks like now. Yep, he ripped the gator right off. Needless to say, I have an e-mail into the easyboot company already and am waiting for a reply. Last edited by luvmyOTTBs : 09-19-2008 at 12:39 PM.

09-19-2008, 01:45 PM
smaloney Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Airdrie Posts: 50	I ride my mare in Easyboots... and love them... I lost one once because I didn't put it on tight enough... I found it later though, phew because they are about $60 per boot.... They can be tough to get on at first but once you've worked them in they're pretty easy. I have heard stores of them getting sucked off in the mud in which case the person probably should've had epics on instead... easyboots are more for hard/rocky terrain. They don't come above the coronary band and therefore have no chance of rubbing on the skin. I have found mine to collect a small ammount of sand and grass seed type plants... no harm done there. They are slippery in the mud! You really have to know your terrain before chooising a boot... personally my horse is fine in the mus, gass and sort trail... but if I know there's gravel... the boots go on In the long run they're MUCH cheaper than shoes as you don't need to replace them every 6-8 weeks!

09-24-2008, 09:36 AM
CatsTack Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC Posts: 125	The best thing 'bout boots is that you can upt them on when you need them an take them off when you don't. Horse Orderly, if your horsey doesn't like pressure on his sole he probably has thin soles. The best way to do this is putting pads inside the boot. The sole must have some pressure to build itself. You can use anything to pad the boot to put pressure on the sole. LuvmyOTTBs, have you heard back from Easy Care Inc., yet? I believe they have a warranty on all their boots. __________________ Handmade tack including rope halters, leads, barrel reins, trail reins, and rhythm beads www.catstack.com

09-24-2008, 10:51 AM
luvmyOTTBs Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ON Posts: 57	LuvmyOTTBs, have you heard back from Easy Care Inc., yet? I believe they have a warranty on all their boots.[/quote] I have heard back but with disappointing news. They say because he stepped on the boot, the warranty won't cover the damage. I can send the boot back to them (at my cost) and they can repair it for $26 plus $5 in labour. I paid $110 for the pair, and I didn't feel it was worth sending back. If I unstitch the other one, then I can just go back to having easyboots. The boots are just easyboots with a sewn in gaitor. I have the gaitors from my Boas, I can try those if I feel like I need them. I did let the easyboot company know I will not make any future purchases from their company.

09-25-2008, 06:00 PM
GodsGifts Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cornwall, Ontario Posts: 419	Thanks everyone this is great. I've decied to go with the Mac boots. They look more difficult to put on then the boas but velcro is easier to replace and i like the traction on the mac where the boas are mostly flat. I do alot of road riding. So this winter my man is gonna get some running shoes!!!I get laughed at when i tell people. __________________ Animals Are Family We Choose For Ourselves

09-25-2008, 06:18 PM
foreveryours Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,004	i gt my boas today... the y were easy to put on, and my mare doesn't have a problem with them on... we will see how she goes tomorrow when I have time to ride her!! __________________ My Website Help my dragons hatch & grow!!CLICK HERE

09-26-2008, 09:53 AM
CatsTack Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC Posts: 125	Sorry to hear 'bout that luvmyOTTBs. __________________ Handmade tack including rope halters, leads, barrel reins, trail reins, and rhythm beads www.catstack.com

09-27-2008, 07:22 AM
luvmyOTTBs Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ON Posts: 57	I am looking into the hoofwings and renegades now. I haven't had luck with the easy boots or the Boas now. I find the Old Macs to be bulky, and really the design of the hoofwings. Just need to save up a little.

09-29-2008, 10:48 AM
badguybuster Newborn Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: WV Posts: 11	Boots I use Easy boots on my horses and have no complaints but I have a client who uses the Cavallo boots and she swears by them. They are well padded around the rim, have good tread, and are VERY easy to put on. Plus, they are a bit less expensive. I use mine for roping, cutting, and even packing in the mountains. They have over 500 miles on them and still have over half the tread left.