Our blog series has been taking a look at barefoot hoof care with a variety of Questions and Answers from our customers. The questions have been answered directly by our very own barefoot hoof care expert The Saddlery Shop’s proprietor Lucy Nicholas in this five part series! This week sees the final part of the series with Question 5 concluding the feature.
Question 5:
I’ve noticed there are several different types of hoof boot on the market – how do I know which is right for my own horse?
Every hoof boot is made to fit a slightly different size or shape of hoof. Most hoof boots are designed to fit a round or slightly longer than wide hoof, as this is the shape of most horses’ hooves when correctly barefoot trimmed. Thoroughbreds just out of shoes, and some heavier horses may have a naturally wider than long hoof, so here, the choice is more limited.
The US and Europe supplies the largest volume of boots to UK customers, using British distributors. Easycare Inc’s wide range (which includes the Glove and the Trail) and the Renegade boot, designed by Kurt Lander, are very popular. New boots are coming on to the market all the time, so ask your hoofcare professional which boot would suit your horse, and research boots online. Read the manufacturer’s fitting and measuring guides (as like human shoes, all hoof boots come in sizes that fit a specific size range) and visit boot distributor’s websites to see the ranges available in the UK, in your horse’s size range. Some suppliers offer boot hire.
I recommend using hoof pads in boots, as they help support the solar dome and help prevent potentially detrimental peripheral loading. Pads help to increase circulation.
A wide range of Hoof Boots and Hoof Boot accessories are available from The Saddlery Shop why not visit the website today at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to find out more or send your own enquiry via the Hoof Boot Enquiry Page. If you keep your horse or pony barefoot or are interested in barefoot hoof care make sure you catch up with the rest of our Q&As on barefoot via our blog.
Friday, 6 February 2015
The Question and Answer Series on Barefoot Hoofcare Concludes; Part 5
Our blog series has been taking a look at barefoot hoof care with a variety of Questions and Answers from our customers. The questions have been answered directly by our very own barefoot hoof care expert The Saddlery Shop’s proprietor Lucy Nicholas in this five part series! This week sees the final part of the series with Question 5 concluding the feature.
Question 5:
I’ve noticed there are several different types of hoof boot on the market – how do I know which is right for my own horse?
Every hoof boot is made to fit a slightly different size or shape of hoof. Most hoof boots are designed to fit a round or slightly longer than wide hoof, as this is the shape of most horses’ hooves when correctly barefoot trimmed. Thoroughbreds just out of shoes, and some heavier horses may have a naturally wider than long hoof, so here, the choice is more limited.
The US and Europe supplies the largest volume of boots to UK customers, using British distributors. Easycare Inc’s wide range (which includes the Glove and the Trail) and the Renegade boot, designed by Kurt Lander, are very popular. New boots are coming on to the market all the time, so ask your hoofcare professional which boot would suit your horse, and research boots online. Read the manufacturer’s fitting and measuring guides (as like human shoes, all hoof boots come in sizes that fit a specific size range) and visit boot distributor’s websites to see the ranges available in the UK, in your horse’s size range. Some suppliers offer boot hire.
I recommend using hoof pads in boots, as they help support the solar dome and help prevent potentially detrimental peripheral loading. Pads help to increase circulation.
A wide range of Hoof Boots and Hoof Boot accessories are available from The Saddlery Shop why not visit the website today at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to find out more or send your own enquiry via the Hoof Boot Enquiry Page. If you keep your horse or pony barefoot or are interested in barefoot hoof care make sure you catch up with the rest of our Q&As on barefoot via our blog.
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