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Home > Articles > Unable to Ride Trails & Hoof Boot Recommendations
Unable to Ride Trails and
Hoof Boot Recommendations
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Q:
"My horses are barefoot and I am planning to come to one of your clinics on April 4-5 in California. My shoer supposedly follows natural horse trimming principles, but my horses are still unable to go on the trails barefoot. I am hoping their hooves will toughen up in the summer, but if they don't, I want to buy something like an EZ Boot or and Old Mac's boot.
"Can you please tell me what kind of hoof boot you recommend and why? The EZ boots are much cheaper so I'd prefer to use them if you think they are OK. However, I also want to use the LIGHTEST boot possible because my horses are Hunters and I don't want to change their natural movement with a heavy boot."
A:
"As primary caregiver (a "steward") for your horse, you should know that your farrier may not be executing a physiologically correct trim. You would do well to learn the parameters of a correct trim, for your horses health and well being. As for boots, there are three popular models currently on the market. EZ Boots are my least favorite, since they are held on the hoof by a leverage device that squeezes the foot. Swiss boots seem to work best on more upright, narrow hooves. Old Macs are round on the ground surface, which makes them more appropriate for thoroughbred types. The Horsneaker ( http://www.horsneaker.com ) can be made with a custom or semi-custom fit, and is the most comfortable and best fitting product of its type now on the market. The Horsneaker makers, Frank Orza and Mary Winn, will be introducing a new lightweight, form-fitting product in June. I can't wait!"
~ Martha Olivo
United Horsemanship President
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