Question and Answer Series on Barefoot Hoofcare; Part 1

I’ve been thinking of using hoof boots on my horse, but am concerned they might rub. Could this be a problem? Lucy Nicholas from The Saddlery Shop advises... Once you have selected a boot for your horse based on its measurements, fit the boot as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Does the hoof fill the inside of the boot nicely without bulging or ‘gapping’? Check that the fastenings are not too tight. When the boot is on the hoof, you shouldn’t be able to twist it from side to side by any more than around five degrees (unless stated differently by the manufacturer), as this could indicate that the boot could be too big, or the wrong shape for the horse’s hoof. Rubbing will occur if the boot is too small – if this occurs, the owner should check their measurements again, and try the next size up to see if that fits better. The foot should sit comfortably on the inner sole of the boot, and should not crush the heel. One way to check the length of the hoof inside the boot is to put the sole of the foot flat on the outside of the boot sole. Rubbing is usually more common in horses with under-run heels, where the measurements for length have not been taken into consideration. Some hoof boots have special wraps or gaiters that act as ‘socks’ to help protect sensitive skin. A wide range of Hoof Boots and Hoof Boot accessories are available from The Saddlery Shop.