| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| troystar |
Posted - 07 Jan 2010 : 7:22:43 PM
Ive been looking at easy boots on the net and how they work, and how they benefit the horses foot, body, the hole horse. and i never new how steel shoes can be harmful for the horse, so with all that in mind dose anyone on hear use these boots ????? eney feed back. how long do they last i ride my Mair so much when weathers good the shoes all most Ware out, so are these boots cost affective  Ive been riding my mav with out shoes and been thinking that may be i don't need shoes at all ???????? |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 10 Jan 2010 : 11:46:51 PM
I am all for barefoot. I notice my ones with out shoes are having a much easier time in the snow, but also they can't lose shoes!!
One of my mares has been having trouble keeping shoes on. My blacksmith agrees that I should try her barefoot. I bought old macs which are working well, but the easy boots look easier to manage. The plan is to turn her out barefoot and ride in boots. She only has them on the front anyway. Shame her previous owner ever shod her really.
Good luck with your barefoot plans. |
| deebee |
Posted - 09 Jan 2010 : 8:14:56 PM
I have learnt alot these past few years, thanks to sites like this and the net! but there's a whole mine of information to do with hooves, you need to keep on learning as much as you can, it never stops (like most things with horses...) mind you, I got the hang of it quickly, too, of course everyone has different apptitudes...
it can be a really scary thing, to let go of stuff you've been taught all your life is 'the law', and everyone around you is saying you 'must' do or your horse will suffer - no one wants that (who has half a brain cell, anyway!), so don't be too harsh, it'll all become a way of life eventually! |
| troystar |
Posted - 09 Jan 2010 : 7:02:36 PM
wow you know allot its all true thou, I'm in burnt oak London, my Arab is a 20year old stallion was a gray but now wight a per  hes the best so id Rita my black beauty just as in the film, my over horse is a gypsy vainer black and wight. i trim my self and been told that i have a gift, I find it easy how i don't know i just do it, ill turn my hand two ency trade, so y don't every 1 go barefoot?????????? i think its down two people having their eyes shut, that and following like sheep, same with all the rugging that goes o wot happened two growing a coat ? two much work brushing it out in Summer ha ha |
| deebee |
Posted - 09 Jan 2010 : 2:46:24 PM
Your arab would be fine to keep riding; if he's been without all the time his feet will be working as they need to - you will soon know if he's not quite right, and your trimmer will know if he needs a different trim or some boots to help him (or her?). Your cob will need some time in transition - by this I mean that when you take her shoes off, she will need a good 'barefoot' trim and gentle work, preferably on a smooth surface (tarmac is good!) for about 15 - 20 minutes a day. This will help all the hoof mechanism (the tendons etc work like a pump and need to build up strength when they've not been used from having shoes on) build up and become better at doing its job. Your trimmer should be able to help you with information and confidence - it can be worrying sometimes, as at first your cob might be sore occasionally, and she may even have a few abscesses come out - this would be a sure sign that there a nasty things going on in her hoof that are being corrected as the hoof can work properly!
whereabouts are you? |
| troystar |
Posted - 08 Jan 2010 : 7:03:17 PM
yer it helps i just had an email from easy boots it looks like I'm go get them 4 my cob Mair, as 4 trimming i trim my own horses and a farrier has said i got a gift, i was thinking of becoming a farrier but 4 years apprenticeship is not for me, trimming is as far as i want two go, as Ive been riding my Arab with out any shoes or boots is it OK two keep riding with out ??????? Ive only been once a week at the mo as he still bit thin, as 4 my cob shes been shod all her life, and since Ive had her 7 months but i ride her 20hours a week at least, would she go lame if i just had her shoes off and ride with out anything or would the were be two much, and its sum thing two build on thanks for your help y I'm asking all this as with four horses working horse its costly two shoe Evey six weeks, the feed is enough at the mo you think i have got  |
| deebee |
Posted - 08 Jan 2010 : 3:38:06 PM
Hi Troystar! I used boots while my mare was transitioning; I rode out about 4 times a week over winter, on mainly roads, and they lasted about 6 months. (I used easyboot epics - gloves weren't around then!)
She was never shod but used to have an ordinary 'pasture trim' from the farrier. She didn't seem to get any better at being barefoot, and I found myself learning everything I could about barefoot trimming, eventually taking over her trimming myself, because my farrier wouldn't / couldn't trim in a more 'natural' way that's different from the 'pasture trim'. Now that we're on this path her footing is improving all the time and I only use the boots for very stony work.
So what I'm saying is, that if you try boots you will probably spend about the same as on shoes, in the long run - but your horse will be healthier and have better feet; if you learn what you can, with an open mind, and / or get a really good barefoot trimmer (there are quite a few about!) you will probably be able to go completely barefoot by the summer or thereabouts, and your horse will thank you for it!
Last year I transitioned an ex-racehorse diagnosed with 'navicular' and advised to be retired as a companion or pts - he hasn't been lame since we pulled his shoes, and he's now rock-crunching - took about 12 months...
hope that helps? |
| Professional Lurker |
Posted - 08 Jan 2010 : 10:01:40 AM
I have the easy boot gloves and have to say well impressed with them so far.
Have done regular hacking and fun rides in them, they stayed put even in deep mud.
Once you've got the knack of putting them on they are excellent, worth every penny.
Horse is barefoot normally but the boots go on when the ground hardens, roadwork or we're doing stony tracks. Not sure how long they will last, depends on usage I suspect but cost effective when compared to shoes and a useful item when making the transition to barefoot.
PL.
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