In general, most horse owners have a good experience with the hoof boots they buy for their horses and reviews often back this up.  However, it is fair to say that as with any product, there are certain issues which arise from time to time.  Overcoming common problems with hoof boots is not usually too difficult and it is usually possible to resolve matters quickly.

Common problems might include the incompatibility of the hoof to the chosen boot, or the owners error when measuring or subsequently fitting the boot.

Problems With Hoof Boots

Sometimes, finding the perfect fit is much harder than it might at first seem.    There are problems such as unevenly shaped feet, a disproportionate foot length and width, among other. With that said, lets look at the potential problems with hoof boots and how a horse owner can easily handle them.

• One of the first problems that horses may encounter when wearing hoof boots is the occurrence of sore feet. There are a lot of reasons why this happens, but the most common reason is a defective sole that can either be dropped or thin. Also, the horse might have a case of laminitis or other foot problems. However, there is a solution for this. You can use comfort pads so that the hoof can be protected better.

• Another of the most frequently encountered problems with hoof boots is the occurrence of rubbing. The most common reason why this takes place is because the boot is too short in length compared to the foot. However, there are other reasons why this takes place. Among them are horses that have so-called “run heels” and those that have boots that fit over the coronet band. It’s a good thing though that there are solutions for this. The first solution is to go up the next size if the foot length is larger than recommended. Also, for those boots that fit over the band, wraps and gaiters should do just fine. And for bares and epics, you can replace the heel straps with taper plates.

• Twisting can be a problem that hoof boot users encounter. This problem is most encountered when the boot is too wide. Twisting most commonly happen on the rear pair of feet as the horse has a natural tendency to twist their foot, making their shoe twist as well. The most common solution for this is to enhance the shoe’s grip. This is done by tightening the boot up, placing inserts so that the hoof would grip, and in some cases, foam is placed on either side of the grip in order to enhance boot tightness.

Problems with hoof boots are normal and, to some extent, are to be expected because hooves vary in shape and size.  Conditions can also vary.  However, it is good to know that there are remedies that can help you compensate for these problems. Proper evaluation, coupled with advice from an expert, can usually get the problem sorted in no time.

The Saddlery Shop offers extensive advice on how to overcome common problems with hoof boots.  Take a look at their online help sections or experts are usually on hand if you need to telephone.

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