Hoof shoes - the practical alternative to classic horse shoeing

25. September 2020 / Guide / 3 Minutes
Hoof shoes - the practical alternative to classic horse shoeing
The hoof boot is a boot for your horse and serves as temporary protection for sensitive parts of the horse's hoof when the hooves are subjected to stress on hard, stony ground. It is the practical alternative to classic shoeing and allows your horse to remain barefoot.

The horse's hooves

The horse's hooves are of particular importance for the circulation and general health of your horse. On the one hand, they bear the entire weight of your horse and cushion external impacts and shocks acting on the horse's hoof to protect tendons and bones. In addition, the horse's hooves are an integral part of the horse's metabolism and work with the horse's heart, as they support blood circulation and release harmful substances and toxins to the outside.

The horse's hoof is made of horn and adapts to the surface on which your horse spends most of the day. This is usually outside in the pasture, in a strewn box or in an open stable. Since your horse spends most of its time on soft ground, rides on paths that are too hard and stony can become a challenge. This is because the horse's hooves are too sensitive for this and your horse will be unable to walk in a relaxed manner.

What are the advantages of hoof boots?

The biggest advantage over the classic horseshoe is probably that your horse can remain barefoot, which has several advantages:

  • the natural hoof mechanism as well as the horse's sense of touch are supported
  • the horse's hoof is better supplied with blood without a horseshoe
  • improved distribution and dampening of external impacts and shocks
  • natural wear of the horn

If your horse is currently wearing horseshoes and you are planning to change to a barefoot horse, the horse boot can be a great help during the otherwise very radical change and acclimatisation.

Custom-made hoof boots are also used in the therapy of sick horses (laminitis / hoof dermatitis) to provide relief for the horses, alleviate pain and promote the healing process.

Which hoof boot is right for my horse?

As each horse's hoof is individually grown and shaped, there are a variety of different hoof shoes on the market to meet the needs of every horse's hoof.

Basically, there are two different types of hoof boots:
Firstly, there are hoof boots that enclose the entire horse's hoof up to the ball of the foot. In addition to this widely used type, there are also hoof boots that are only attached to the lower part of the hoof and do not completely enclose the hoof.

The most important thing is a perfect fit. It is particularly important that the hoof boot should sit relatively tightly on the horse's hoof. If the boot fits too loosely, it can chafe quickly, cause injuries, slip and even fly off when the horse is galloping.

Which boot is the perfect choice for your horse will depend on a number of different factors.

How do you put on a boot?

When you want to put a boot on your horse, you first pick up the hoof - as you would when scraping out the hooves. Then you put the boot over the horse's hoof and let the horse put its hoof down again. When the horse is standing correctly in the boot, you can close it with its fasteners.

How do I put on a hoof boot?

Which is the best hoof boot for riding?

Cavallo hoof boots are designed for riding on hard surfaces and are perfect for this. Cavallo hoof boots are cut very high in the heel area, so are particularly suitable if your horse has a high heel area.

In our shop you can find different versions, for different purposes and needs:

Hoof boots for horses

What size of hoof boot is right for my horse?

In order for the boot to fit your horse perfectly, the hoof must be measured correctly. However, before you think about measuring, you should first check and assess the condition and general state of the horse's hoof. This includes

  • the symmetry of the hoof
  • the shape of the wall
  • the length and position of the heel
  • the angle of the toe

Hoof boot measurements

Measurements should be taken within the first week after the last hoof treatment and always on the lifted hoof, NOT the set down hoof.

The length of the horse's hoof is usually measured from the edge of the toe to the widest part of the frog. The width of the horse's hoof is measured at the widest part of the sole.

Since wearing hoof boots permanently will compromise the hoof mechanism, hoof boots should only be worn when necessary.

Other hoof boot products
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