Booting and Pads
Boots have evolved considerably within the time I’ve been learning about barefoot horses and how to manage them effectively. I'm referred to as the Boot Queen by my mentor, as at one time, Aida had 14 different pairs to her name. One for every occasion and then some back ups for un-thought of occasions!
Before her PPID was diagnosed and treated she suffered from thin soles which were flexible under thumb pressure. Whilst trying to find the causes for her problems, my main concern was getting her comfortable to move around. To start with nappies gave her some relief but this wasn’t a sustainable approach.
A thin or inflamed sole needs protection to prevent bruising and the potential of abscessing. Secondary to providing protection, the boot needs to stimulate the hoof mechanism, to help maintain or build up the back of the foot. The digital cushion is the shock absorber for the horse, and although made of fibrous cartilage it behaves very similarly to muscle. If the horse no longer loads the digital cushion it begins to atrophy. This is where pads help.
A 'bucket' style boot which covers the whole hoof are the easiest boots to pad. The pad sits neatly in the bottom with no where to go.
Some example of a bucket style boot:
Pads are a personal preference to each horse, some like a firm pad whilst others like a softer one. EasyCare do 3 densities, green= soft, black=medium and red= hard. These come in 2 thicknesses; 6mm or 12mm.
Solemates or equivalent pads provide an alternative, however they have to compress in order to fit into boots. To start with they can be as much as an inch thick. Taping them to the horses hoof for a period of time helps them to flatten enough to fit into a boot.
Pads must be flush with the bottom of the boot. If they curl up at the edges this will change where the hoof is within the boot and impair the horses break-over.
Before her PPID was diagnosed and treated she suffered from thin soles which were flexible under thumb pressure. Whilst trying to find the causes for her problems, my main concern was getting her comfortable to move around. To start with nappies gave her some relief but this wasn’t a sustainable approach.
A thin or inflamed sole needs protection to prevent bruising and the potential of abscessing. Secondary to providing protection, the boot needs to stimulate the hoof mechanism, to help maintain or build up the back of the foot. The digital cushion is the shock absorber for the horse, and although made of fibrous cartilage it behaves very similarly to muscle. If the horse no longer loads the digital cushion it begins to atrophy. This is where pads help.
A 'bucket' style boot which covers the whole hoof are the easiest boots to pad. The pad sits neatly in the bottom with no where to go.
Some example of a bucket style boot:
- Cavallo - Sport, Trek and Simple,
- Equine Fusions,
- Old Mac G2s,
- New Macs,
- Easy Boot Trails,
Pads are a personal preference to each horse, some like a firm pad whilst others like a softer one. EasyCare do 3 densities, green= soft, black=medium and red= hard. These come in 2 thicknesses; 6mm or 12mm.
Solemates or equivalent pads provide an alternative, however they have to compress in order to fit into boots. To start with they can be as much as an inch thick. Taping them to the horses hoof for a period of time helps them to flatten enough to fit into a boot.
Pads must be flush with the bottom of the boot. If they curl up at the edges this will change where the hoof is within the boot and impair the horses break-over.
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| A silcon pad going to the front of the cavallo trek boot. The pad lies flat in the bottom of the boot, as recommended. |
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| An easy-care medium pad showing a lip, causing the foot to sit further back in the boot, negatively affecting the break-over. |
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