Boot advice please

[ruthp]

Ok, so I know this has been done before, but I could really do with some help.

Bali is barefoot, and through the winter doesn't need any boots, but in summer, even with the very limited grass she gets, we need boots in front for anything stony, which means most of the tracks round here. We've been doing pretty well with Easyboot Epics but when cantering in longish grass they have been coming off. I have access to acres of field verges which are not cut that often, so I need to be able to canter in long grass! I thing the grass catches on the front and flicks up the fastener. Very annoying.

I've tried Easyboot Trail, but they simply don't stay put on Bali's round feet.

Another problem is that Bali is a bit of a Bigfoot, so lots of boots not made big enough for her. Width 15.1cm, length 14.9cm.

I quite like the look of the Transitions - anyone tried them?

Or, any other suggestions?

[crazycolt]

Hi Ruthp
Can only tell you of my experience. Both of mine have Easyboot Glove. Tally can't go out without them, and Morgan is wearing just fronts at the moment, as he did so much extra work when he was started, that his feet got a bit sore. They used to be difficult to fit, seemed to need a certain shaped foot, but now they also do Glove 'Wide'. I tried lots of different makes and styles, but tally has quite skinny legs, and they always rubbed, both coronet and heels. Morgan has cob legs and feet, and they're fine for him too. The Saddlery Shop are very helpful, and you can have boots on hire, so if they don't suit you just pay the hire charge. You can also hire 'the Fit Kit, which gives you a choice of different sizes to try before you order,which you pay a deposit on, but you get the whole amount back when you return it. I used it for Tally, because I wasn't familiar with the fitting of the Gloves' at all, but not with Morgan, as I now know the fit. Let me  know if you'd like to see my two with them on. x 

[ruthp]

Unfortunately they don't make Gloves big enough.

[Deleted]

I must admit I've seen a few of the transitions and aren't impressed, they're very clumpy. Perhaps ok for a rehab of a horse being deshod and very footsore and so only doing walking etc. I think for regular use the cavallo treks are much better, a slimmer fit around the top and quicker and easier to put on and take off and they suit wide feet. They're a big improvement on the old style cavallos.

[ruthp]

Ooh, thanks Michelle. I hadn't seen those, they look really good, and, big bonus, less expensive than many others. Do they stay put well?

[janwilky]

I have a pair of Cavallo Treks for Bambi's hinds. I haven't had them long and haven't been wearing them much as we're mainly riding round fields at the moment but so far I'm impressed with them.

With your Easyboot Epics, have you considered switching to the 'up buckle' fastenings?  I haven't used them but was considering them for Lucas as Epics are the only boots that go big enough for him. Unfortunately he made it pretty clear he didn't think wearing boots was a good idea so I never tried them...

[zack&buffysmum]

I use Cavallo simple boots for Buffy, We've had our current pair for nearly 18 months and she is ridden virtually every day. Admittedly they are now looking a bit tatty but they are still in good order and most importantly have never once come off or rubbed her.

[bertie666]

Whin is in Old Mac G2s all day, including her regular loony fits round the field *rolls eyes* they've done brilliantly for the last 6 weeks, only moved once when she put her foot down a tractor furrow and I think as she pulled it out it mustve twisted as was the wrong way round when we got home but she didn't miss a step so it can't have worried her!

[Deleted]

Aug 4, 2014 16:46:11 GMT 1 ruthp said:

Ooh, thanks Michelle. I hadn't seen those, they look really good, and, big bonus, less expensive than many others. Do they stay put well?

Yes they seem to. We've had a few people use them for turnout and they stand up to the wear well and being the design they are they hug the whole hoof better than some of the more minimalist boots.

If I need boots again and the hooves in question are the right size for these they'd be my first choice.

[ruthp]

Great, thanks. I think I'll give them a go then.

[crazycolt]

Ah, what a shame! x

[portiabuzz]

i only have old macs, never lost one yet

[merryberry]

I have Cavallo Treks too, love them!

[taklishim]

Aug 4, 2014 20:44:21 GMT 1 janwilky said:

With your Easyboot Epics, have you considered switching to the 'up buckle' fastenings?

this would be a quick way of solving it if your only problem is that that fasteners flip up. An even cheaper way would be to buy the cotter pins to go through the existing fasteners to stop them flipping up. You will see these as extras on the easycare site.

[Lulu]

I've used old Mac g1. Buckles are at back and it never came off or twisted or rubbed. Was a bit clumpy at break over point so I just filed the toe of the boot so it broke over better.