Measuring for hoof boots - a crucial step

Measuring your horse for hoof boots is a crucial thing to get right, Too big and they're going to turn when on and cause problems, too small and the fit will be too tight and be uncomfortable for the horse. Ideally the best time to measure is after a fresh trim as the boots have a growth tolerance built into them in order for them to be comfortable throughout the entire trimming cycle.

For measuring it is always worth using a metal ruler as fabric tapes can give inconsistent readings. Take the first measurement across the hoof from the widest point, Then measure from the toe back to the buttress line of the heel, Don't worry if you get different measurements on both feet, It's very rare that 2 hooves are symmetrical. The below image shows you what points to measure.

Alternatively you can paint your horses sole with hoof oil and stand them on some card and measure the imprint on the card if you are struggling to measure the hoof. 

All the major hoof boot manufacturers such as Easycare, Cavallo, Equine Fusion & Scoot Boot have their size charts readily available so you can compare your measurements and select the right boot you need, If you have any doubts though, Simply give Online Equine a call and the helpful support team can assist you in selecting the right boot!

There is always the option of using a fit kit to make doubly sure that you have the right size, These usually comprise of the base of the size you think you need with the size above and below it included just to give you peace of mind. 

Sticking to it! Easyboots Glue On Options

Lots of people love their Easyboot hoof boots and the ability to whip them off and on however many times their heart desires, Some people, however, prefer a more fixed solution, Enter the Easyboot range of glue on hoof boots! 

Easyboot Glue On

The Easyboot Glue On is simply the shell from an Easyboot Glove Hoof Boot that is, you guessed it, just glued on the hoof for a fixed hoof protection solution! The aggressive tread pattern has proven its worth time and time again over a variety of surfaces and remains one of the top choices for endurance riders and competitors partaking in speed events. Easycare recommend that the Glue On is left on no longer than 10 days in dry conditions and 5 days in wet & humid conditions, You don't want any nasties causing problems in the hoof capsule do you!


Easyboot Flip Flop

New to the Easyboot range of glue on hoof boots is the Flip Flop, Similar in design to the glove but with no shell covering the back of the hoof. This new glue-on boot is a flip-flop design with a conventional upper that extends to the widest point of the hoof. This part of the hoof has the least amount of movement in both the vertical and horizontal planes. Because of this lack of movement, the bonds between the shoe and the hoof hold much tighter and are less likely to fail than at the heel.

The lack of shell round the back of the hoof allows the heel to function better and more naturally than you would see in full shell products.

Well Gel! Using Vettec products in conjunction with hoof boots.

Vettec instant pad materials and adhesives have long been used to help shod horses by offering them support and dampening properties. Recently however people have started to note the possibility of using them with hoof boots. How is this possible I hear you ask, well, let me tell you.

Vettec Equipak & Equipak CS can both be used to create a pad for a hoof boot.

First step is to completely clear the sole and frog of any debris, Use a wire brush to get everything off to ensure there is no muck or mud remaining.

Next apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the sole of the foot, This will ensure the Vettec doesn't stick to the sole.

Hold the foot level and fill with either Equipak or Equipak CS and fill to the white line. The product should set within 1 minute.

Hey presto, A removable pad made from Vettec Instant Pad Material!

Padding it out - Using comfort pads in hoof boots

Most hoof boots can take a comfort pad system to help horses feel more comfortable, whether they are transitioning to barefoot or suffering from hoof problems such as laminitis, bruised soles or abscesses. These pads come in varying sizes and density. 

Easycare Comfort Pads

The Easycare range of comfort pads can be cut to size and will fit nearly all of the Easyboot range of hoof boots. They come in Small, Medium & Large with 6mm or 12mm thickness. Lastly you can specify the density of the pad from Soft, Medium or Firm depending on the level of support and relief the horse requires. 

Cavallo Gel Support Pads

The Cavallo Gel Pad is made from a special thermoplastic elastomer to give optimum shock absorption meaning your horses legs don't bear the brunt of the concussion. They also give increased support to the sole whilst maintaining frog stimulation to increase blood flow and hoof health. They are marked with all the Cavallo Hoof Boot sizes on them so it's simply a case of cutting them to fit following the templates.

Equine Fusion Dampening Pads

The Dampening pads for Equine Fusion Hoof Boots adds a new dimension to the boots and their dampening ability.

The pad is designed according to the same principles as the jogging shoe.  With a special designed rubber compound which provides the pad with the best properties.

Extremely good memory and almost no deformation during usage. The superb flexibility, dampening and biomechanical properties make this the best pad for both riding and rehabilitation 

Cavallo Hoof Boots - Deciphering the differences

In this blog post we shall take a look at the hoof boot range from Cavallo. Cavallo currently have 5 types of hoof boot but here we shall look at the 3 main ones, the Simple, the Sport & the Trek

Starting with the Simple;

The Cavallo Simple was the original hoof boot designed by Cavallo. Built to withstand a multitude of terrains and offer supreme protection to hooves whilst also having the ability to double as a therapeutic hoof boot to treat hoof problems such as laminitis, abscesses, bruises, thin soles etc.

Cavallo have designed the outer edge of the sole to be recessed out to avoid putting pressure on the sole of the hoof. Secured with velcro straps and featuring a padded collar, the Simple can be paired with Cavallo Pastern Wraps is desired for increased comfort.

The simple is lightweight and has built in drainage to allow water and moisture to escape whilst in use. 

Cavallo Sport

The Cavallo Sport hoof boot is a improved design from Cavallo, designed to be sleeker looking and more stylish than the simple, the simple fastening does away with velcro fastenings for a much easier boot to fit. It is lighter than the Simple and comes in a slimmer sole. The sole features are the same as other Cavallo boots in that the inside sole is seated out to minimise sole pressure and the outside tread is rugged enough to cope with all terrains yet allow that natural level of slip required by the horse.

Cavallo Trek

The Trek is the latest offering from Cavallo, Featuring a honeycomb mesh type outer that is ultra lightweight and breathable whilst also allowing excellent drainage for any time they may end up in water! Easy to wash as well and the velcro strap is easily replaceable and a spare is supplied with each boot.

The Cavallo tag is made of a reflective material for safer riding in low light conditions.

Unlike the Simple & Sport, the Trek is sold as a single boot.

Feeding for Hoof Health

Selecting hoof boots and using them is one thing, But ensuring the hoof underneath the boot is healthy and getting the correct nutritional supplementation is vital, Here we have a handy guide on Feed Supplements to help you select the best one for your horse.

Horses diets have been revolutionised in the last few years, with the differing types of horse feed available on the market now just a mind blowing mass of information. We all tailor our horses diets to their needs and in correlation with their work load, But have you thought about how your horses diet could be affecting his or her feet? In this post we are going to take a more indepth view into the available supplements on todays market designed for healty hooves.

It seems like a minefield out there with all the different supplement brands all saying theirs is best etc but ultimately no two horses are the same so we find it can be a case of trial and error with supplements in order to find the one that works for you and your horse. 

Here at Online Equine we stock 4 types of hoof supplement, This is because we beleive these are the most popular and most effective on todays market.

We will start off with NAF PROFEET

 This is available in both pellet and liquid forms. Horse owners report that if your horse is a particularly fussy feeder then the liquid seems more palatable. Like all NAF products, PROFEET is made from 100% natural ingredients of the highest quality.

PROFEET supplements are unique in that they not only provide nutrients to directly support hoof health, they also provide nutritional support that helps target healthy liver function, which, in turn is fundamental to healthy hoof growth. Biotin is combined with a rich sulphur complex of methionine, cysteine and MSM, minerals including calcium and zinc, and a broad spectrum of naturally sourced amino acids and essential fatty acids. Developed by veterinary scientists, with the assistance of leading farriers, PROFEET offers the most concentrated, fast acting, nutritional support for quality hoof growth. The aforementioned nutrients in PROFEET work in synergy with the naturally sourced anti-oxidant ingredients in the formula to provide a hoof supplement that out performs all those that came before.

Next up, Kevin Bacons Hoof Formula.

I'm sure most of you will have come across the familiar sight of that little red tub in your tack room at some point,Kevin Bacons must be one of the most popular hoof dressings of all time so a hoof supplement that bears the same name gets off to a good start!

Kevin Bacon's Hoof Formula is a highly digestible, nutritional supplement scientifically formulated to assist the growth and quality of the horses' hoof. It has been formulated and tested by the Dept. of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Liège . It is one of the most concentrated supplements on the market with high levels of Biotin (500mg/kg) and Vitamin A (975,000 IU/kg).

This sulphur enriched formula contains 37% crude proteins that are particularly rich in essential amino acids, with high levels of methionine (42gm/kg) and cystine (42gm/kg). The Hoof Formula is suitable for horses at all levels of training, including equine athletes on a high grain diet. Kevin Bacon's Hoof Formula contains high levels of calcium (117gm/kg), optimum levels of magnesium, potassium and phosphorous and trace elements copper, zinc, cobalt and iodine.

Onto Formula4Feet

Formula4Feet comes from Equilife, The retail arm of the UK's original equine podiatry clinic. 

Robert Eustace FRCVS, Director of the clinic, developed Formula4 Feet in collaboration with Dr. David Frape, the country’s leading equine nutritionist. Mr Eustace is increasingly disturbed by the insidious increase in GM ingredients in horse feeds. He takes the view that the consequences of feeding GM ingredients are unknown and that until extensive research is undertaken, to prove safety both to animals and the environment; it is prudent to avoid such materials.

The nutrition for hooves provided by Formula4 Feet leads to obvious improvement in hoof horn quality.

1. Formula4 Feet is the first non-GM hoof supplement to be made anywhere in the world. It is manufactured in the UK in an establishment using the highest standards i.e. positive release system (for raw materials and finished product), drug free (Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Establishment No GB218E5000) and UFAS (Accreditation No; 334) approved complying with ISO 9001 standards.

2. Formula4 Feet has gained approval by the Vegetarian Society due to there being no ingredients of animal or molluscan origin and to the ethical production and development policies which Equi Life employs.

3. Each batch of Formula4 Feet is tested free of substances listed in the Common Feed Contaminants Screen, before it is offered for sale. Products including these substances would result in a positive dope test under FEI and Jockey Club rules. Testing is performed at the world’s leading equine forensic laboratory.

4. Formula4 Feet has been subjected to independent research at the University of Berlin, the world renowned keratin institute.

5. Formula4 Feet provides over 65 micronutrients, in a highly palatable pellet. These include 13 vitamins, 18 amino acids, 16 minerals, 4 antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, including omega 3's. Due to its comprehensive formulation Formula4 Feet is an excellent general supplement to help keep your horse in tip top health.

6. Formula4 Feet provides 20mg biotin daily for a 450 kg horse. Most studies on the effects of hoof horn following supplementation with biotin indicate that 20mg daily is necessary to achieve consistent improvement.

7. Formula4 Feet provides over 3 grams of calcium per day balanced with magnesium and phosphorus. Calcium has been shown to be important in inter-squame attachment in hoof horn.

8. Formula4 Feet provides zinc as both organic and inorganic forms, providing optimal availability, yet allowing the horse to retain intestinal selectivity during absorption. Zinc is important for correct hoof horn and skin growth.

9. Formula4 Feet contains methionine, an important natural sulphur containing amino acid. Methionine is necessary to provide the building blocks of strong hoof horn.

10. Formula4 Feet provides generous amounts of phospholipids, from natural ingredients. Phospholipids are essential dietary components for incorporation into all cell membranes. This function is vital throughout the body, not only in the hoof, where phospholipids are intimately involved in keeping the horn healthy and maintaining a normal water balance.

11. Formula4 Feet contains no cereals and no added selenium. Cereals are high in soluble carbohydrates. Excessive selenium is thought to contribute to hoof horn infections and can be toxic if over supplemented. Selenium toxicosis causes poor horn development with a dry scaly appearance to the hoof and if given in greater amounts can lead to the horse shedding its hooves or even death.

12. Formula4 Feet contains Vitamin D which is important for the healthy growth and remodeling of bones. Vitamin D is particularly vital for horses which receive little access to sunshine.

13. One of the main causes of acute founder is obesity. Research at our clinic indicates that obesity may be the forerunner of a more serious hormonal disease. Formula4Feet is a revolutionary new formulation which provides nutritional support to keep your horse healthy. Formula4Feet should be used in combination with a low calorie, high fibre diet; the natural way.

14. Formula4 Feet contains the amino acids lysine and threonine. Lysine and Threonine are the two most important rate limiting amino acids, they are essential for the horse's correct metabolism in order to assimilate all the goodness from his food and maintain healthy.

15. Formula4 Feet contains optimal levels of antioxidants including heat stable Vitamin C, Vitamin E, copper and BHT. Antioxidants not only help keep Formula4 Feet in fresh condition but, when assimilated, maintain the oxidative balance in tissues.

16. Formula4 Feet contains omega 3 fatty acids, which by their competitive metabolism, during the desaturation of n-6 fatty acids to the inflammatory eicosanoids; maintain a normal balance of these intermediates in the tissues.

17. Formula4 Feet contains the amino acid arginine, which is the precursor for the formation of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator i.e. causes the blood vessels to widen.

18. Formula4 Feet contains balanced amounts of bioavailable magnesium and inorganic calcium. Experience at the clinic indicates that the balance of these two cations optimizes the health of your horses and ponies.

19. Formula4 Feet contains Riboflavin which is important for efficient energy metabolism and healthy skeletal muscles.

20. Formula4 Feet contains natural plant sources of Vanadium and Chromium. Vanadium is vital for insulin intra-cellular signaling. Chromium, in combination, is involved in the formation of glucose tolerance factor by the horse. Glucose tolerance factor is vital in order to maintain normal glucose sensitivity.

21. Formula4 Feet contains tyrosine and phenylalanine, both important precursors of the neurotransmitter dopamine. A dopamine agonist is the basis of the only UK licensed treatment for those older curly coated equines.

22. Formula4 Feet contains choline, inositol, methionine and cobalt (precursor of Vitamin B12), all of which are essential for optimal liver function.

23. Formula4 Feet contains short chain oligosaccharides from natural ingredients. These have been shown to be important in maintaining a healthy microbial population in the horse’s hindgut. Oligosaccharides help to “bind” some species of pathogenic bacteria, further promoting intestinal health.

24. Formula4 Feet contains the amino acid tyrosine and the element iodine, which when combined, form thyroxine, the thyroid hormone. Adequate thyroxine is necessary for optimal energy metabolism and promotes a normal metabolic rate and a healthy hair coat.

25. Formula4 Feet comes in recyclable bags and sacks resistant to moisture and u/v light.

26. Despite all the above benefits, Formula4 Feet represents a significant saving on existing leading podiatry supplements e.g. a 7 kg bag (which represents a 6 week shoeing interval supply for a 450 kg horse)

Finally, Farriers Formula Double Concentrate

Farriers Formula Double Concentrate is, as the name suggests, a more concentrated version of the hugely popular original Farriers Formula from Life Data Labs. Twice the concentration means you are feeding half the ammount so it does make it a very economical supplement. It also can be used toi address any skin or coat issues in horses as the ingredients have proven to develop, not only healthy hooves, but healthy skin and coat too.

Farrier's Formula® Double Concentrate is a hoof supplement that provides nutrients such as phospholipids, omega fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and important amino acid “protein building blocks”. These nutrients enable horses to build strong connective tissue proteins important for healthy hoof structure and growth. Over 30 years of research, clinical trials and field testing validate the effectiveness of Farrier's Formula®.

Farrier's Formula® Double Concentrate is doping free and can be fed to competition horses.

Problems it Addresses
Weak hoof structure leads to hoof wall problems such as quarter cracks, toe cracks, sand cracks, brittle hoof walls and hoof wall separation. These hoof wall defects often create an environment ideal for the microbial invasions associated with white line disease and crumbling horn. Also addressed are horses with thin soft soles that are susceptible to sudden lameness from bruising, and horses recovering from laminitis or founder whose cohesive bond between the outer hoof wall and the coffin bone has been damaged.

The Solution
Farrier’s Formula® supplies the nutrients required for building strong hoof capsule connective tissue in the correct balance and ratio. It also promotes strong and fast growth of the hoof wall, sole, frog, and heel. Farrier’s Formula® provides proper nutrition to “grow out” wall cracks, strengthen and thicken the hoof wall and sole, reduce the likelihood of microbial invasions and bruising, and assist with laminitis recovery. Farrier’s Formula® also promotes a glossy more deeply colored coat and strengthened connective tissues of the joints and ligaments.

Farrier's Formula® Double Concentrate is available in 5 kg. nitrogen flushed vacuum bags or 5 kg. nitrogen flushed pails. 

Time to Scoot!

This blog will cover the latest brand of hoof boot to hit the market, The Scoot Boot.

The Scoot Boot hails all the way from sunny Australia and is the brainchild of Dave MacDonald, the creator of the Old Mac's Hoof Boot, Widely regarded as the boot that kick-started the hoof boot movement.

So what makes the Scoot Boot special then?

Well, Scoot themselves claim it is the closest you can get to barefoot whilst still offering good protection for the hoof capsule. It's simplistic design also looks sleek and is a doddle to take on and off.

It is moulded from a single piece of TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane) which means the boot will not get soggy if going through wet terrain and will simply hose clean after use and be ready to go again. They are also incredibly lightweight at only 250g per boot so horse comfort is a major plus for these boots.

Scoot also claim that their range will fit more hooves than any other brand of boot on the market due to the design which means the boot is secured by parts of the hoof which do not grow.

Available in 9 sizes and colours such as the eye catching Neon Green

Hoof Boots for Therapy

Horses can suffer from a vast variety of hoof ailments unfortunately, these can range from simple things such as thin soles, footiness, bruised soles, corns etc to the more serious things such as laminitis & founder. Luckily there are a few hoof boots out there that can be used to offer horses suffering relief and comfort. Easycare are at the forefront when it comes to specific therapy hoof boots.

The Rx Hoof Boot is a lightweight boot featuring a 6mm comfort pad which offers instant relief to horses suffering from hoof ailments. For increased comfort.

The fairly new Easyboot Cloud features a thicker comfort pad than the Rx which is made of close cell EVA Foam which forms to the sole of the foot to give instant relief. They also have a slight wedge to them.

Lots of new Hoof Boots from Easycare!

Wow! Easycare seem to have been very busy in their research, development and manufacturing facility! Over the last few weeks they have announced the New Easyboot Mini, New Easyboot Back Country & just last week the New Easyboot Glove 2016.

In this post I will go through all 3 of the new boots in more detail and explain just what is different about them compared to the previous generations (Apart from the Mini which is an entirely new boot)

Starting with the Easyboot Mini, The worlds smallest moulded hoof boot. 

The Easyboot Mini has been designed for Miniature horses, ponies & even foals. It is very lightweight and easy to put on and is ideal for working ponies to provide traction but it can also be used in a therapeutic role when used with a Comfort Pad.

Starting at a tiny 44mm and going up to suit hooves to 76mm Easycare have openly admitted they don't ever expect to recover the costs associated with the moulding and tooling process for manufacturing these boots, But that they simply wanted to offer comfort to all horses, no matter of their size. For this I salute them, Bravo Easycare!

New Easyboot Back Country

This boot is an upgrade on the previous Easyboot Glove Back Country, Designed to be more refined and sleeker with improved features including the comfort gaiter being made of a softer yet thicker material for increased comfort and now coming fitted as standard with a snug strap which is reversible to suit either left or right hoof. It has been designed as a medium to high mileage boot which is equally at home as a pleasure riding boot or performance boot. 

New Easyboot Glove 2016

The Easyboot Glove has been Easycare's most popular boot since its launch way back in 2009, It has undergone a few changes and design tweaks in that time but with the New Glove 2016 Easycare have really gone to town with the changes. Out goes the elastic base of the gaiter which has been replaced with a new blended urethane which is contoured to the horse heels and will stretch 500% of its original shape and come back to form. The centre seam has been eliminated for improved comfort.

Easycare say this is the closest you can get to barefoot!

Equine Fusion Hoof Boots - The Equine Jogging Shoe

In our last blog post we looked at the New Mac Hoof Boot from Easycare and compared it to the Old Mac, I hope this was useful for some of you and that we will slowly be helping to make hoof boots a bit easier to understand. 

In this post we are going to take a look at the Equine Fusion Ultimate Hoof Boot, This is a relatively new boot to the market from Norway but has already gathered itself quite the following, Certainly lots of Trec & Endurance riders are turning to this boot when the going gets tough. Lets take a more in depth look at some of its features:

* EASY TO PUT ON IN SECONDS WITH NEW PATENTED VELCRO LOCKING SYSTEM

* SYNTHETIC LEATHER- FLEXIBLE,STRONG,LIGHTWEIGHT,WATERPROOF
* SOFT TOP TO BACK OF BOOT ELIMINATES CHAFING AND ALLOWS FREEDOM FOR THE PASTERN TO DROP AND FLEX
* GREATER SIZE RANGE FROM 7CM  TO 16CM.
* CLOSER FIT TO HOOF, FITS HINDS/NARROW HOOVES BETTER THAN OTHER HOOFBOOTS
* NEW SOLE DESIGN COMBINING ULTRA AND PERFORMANCE SOLES TESTED ON ROCKY GROUND AND BY THE EIESLAND ENDURANCE TEAM - FLEXIBILITY ALLOWS DEFORMATIONS OF THE HOOF TO COPE WITH UNEVEN TERRAIN
* ENCOURAGES HEEL EXPANSION
* AIDS HEEL-FIRST LANDING (IMPORTANT FOR ALIGNMENT OF THE PASTERN BONES)
* HELPS NATURAL BREAKOVER
* GREATER STABILITY AND BALANCE THROUGH TOUCH

* THINNER SOLE ALLOWS THE HORSE TO FEEL WHILST OFFERING PROTECTION AND SHOCK ABSORPTION

As you can see this boot has been very cleverly designed to allow the hoof to act as naturally as possible without compromising on hoof protection, They also have been very popular with people transitioning Thoroughbreds from shod to barefoot as the design allows for the typical thoroughbred foot to fit with comfort.

Welcome to the Hoof Boot blog

Welcome to the first in hopefully many from Online Equine regarding Hoof Boots. In this series of blog posts, we will go through the multitude of hoof boots that are available on the market today along with the pro's and con's of each boot and their ideal applications.

Hopefully, this will help to inform you as to which Hoof Boots to buy to suit you and your horse's specific needs.

The New Mac Hoof Boot from Easycare is an upgrade on the hugely popular Old Mac's

I want to start by talking about the New Mac Hoof Boot from Easycare. Most people in the equine world will have either come across or at least heard of the original Old Mac's hoof boot. This was the original multi-purpose hoof boot and really helped to kick start the hoof boot movement. It was not without flaws though and Easycare have looked to address any issues associated with it in the New Mac Hoof Boot

The Old Mac's design was predominantly Cordura which gradually wore over time, The New Mac is constructed from a TPU material which gives a much more robust front and side shield for increased longevity of the boot.

Also, the outer straps on the Old Mac's were sewn into place so if one became damaged then the whole boot needed to be scrapped, Easycare have dealt with this issue in the New Mac Hoof Boot by having replaceable straps that can even be reversed. This was the same case with the inner strap which wasn't replaceable and would wear out over time, The New Mac has changed this and replaced it with tubular webbing that doesn't have an edge to minimise the chance of rubbing.

The New Mac also has an incorporated gaiter. The internals of the boot have been replaced with a softer material that doubles as a gaiter.

I hope this post will be of use to you and look out for more in the future!

All the range of Easycare Hoof Boots can be purchased from Online Equine via the website