EquestrianHow2 » Hoof Care http://equestrianhow2.com Operating Instructions for Your Horse Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:32:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How to put on a Cavallo hoof boot http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/11/21/how-to-put-on-a-cavallo-hoof-boot/ http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/11/21/how-to-put-on-a-cavallo-hoof-boot/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:25:23 +0000 admin http://equestrianhow2.com/?p=290 The Cavallo Simple Boot is aptly named because it is very simple to put on.

Open the velcro straps and pull the boot fully open. Slide it on your horse’s hoof Close the large flap over the tongue (there’s velcro there, too, to keep it secure) Bring the second flap over the first and [...]]]>

Cavallo Simple BootThe Cavallo Simple Boot is aptly named because it is very simple to put on.

  • Open the velcro straps and pull the boot fully open.
  • Slide it on your horse’s hoof
  • Close the large flap over the tongue (there’s velcro there, too, to keep it secure)
  • Bring the second flap over the first and smooth it down.
  • Apply the Simple BootFasten the straps through the d-rings

Tips:

  • If the boots are older or you are riding through muddy or wet terrain, you might use cable ties to keep the boots secure. Most of the time the boots will stay on Cavallo simple boot with cable tie closureseven if the Velcro straps come undone but the cable ties make them extra secure!

You can see the Cavallo boots in action here:


 

]]> http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/11/21/how-to-put-on-a-cavallo-hoof-boot/feed/ 0 How to use a soaking boot http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/11/21/how-to-use-a-soaking-boot/ http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/11/21/how-to-use-a-soaking-boot/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:51:51 +0000 admin http://equestrianhow2.com/?p=292 If your horse has an abscess or a hoof injury that requires soaking, using a soaking boot like the Davis Boot, can make the experience far less painful for you and easier on your horse.

With a soaking boot you don’t have to convince your horse to stand with his hoof in a bucket [...]]]>

Davis Soaking BootIf your horse has an abscess or a hoof injury that requires soaking, using a soaking boot like the Davis Boot, can make the experience far less painful for you and easier on your horse.

With a soaking boot you don’t have to convince your horse to stand with his hoof in a bucket of hot water. You don’t have to clean up the spilled water. And your horse gets better quality soaking time.

Here’s how you use the boot:

  • Heat the water and mix it with Epsom salts. It’s helpful to put it in a container with a spout.
  • Make sure the top strap is opened on the boot so that it’s easy to slip the horse’s hoof into it.
  • Place the boot on your horse’s hoof.
  • Pour the water and Epsom salts mixture into the boot. Be careful to pour it in slowly as the addition of the hot water may startle your horse, especially the first time you do it.
  • When you have poured the water into the boot, use the strap to tighten the top of the boot. This helps the boot stay secure and prevents too much water from splashing out.
  • Pour the Epsom salts and water mixture

 Tips:

  • You can leave your horse on the cross ties while his hoof soaks or put him in his stall.
  • You can add hot water to the boot to prolong the soaking time.
]]> http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/11/21/how-to-use-a-soaking-boot/feed/ 0 How to measure a hoof. http://equestrianhow2.com/2009/11/01/how-to-measure-a-hoof/ http://equestrianhow2.com/2009/11/01/how-to-measure-a-hoof/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:32:21 +0000 admin http://equestrianhow2.com/?p=59 Hoof boots are great products that can help you transition your horse to barefoot, ride barefoot horses on harder terrain,  or protect a horse’s hoof if it’s thrown a shoe.

However, getting the right size and shape hoof boot is highly dependent on measuring your horse’s hoof properly.

How to measure Measure the width of [...]]]>

Hoof boots are great products that can help you transition your horse to barefoot, ride barefoot horses on harder terrain,  or protect a horse’s hoof if it’s thrown a shoe.

However, getting the right size and shape hoof boot is highly dependent on measuring your horse’s hoof properly.

How to measure

Where to measure your horses hoof.

Where to measure your horse's hoof.

  • Measure the width of the hoof across the bottom at the widest point.
  • Measure the length of the hoof from the toe to the buttress line of the heel. The buttress line is the farthest weight bearing point of the heel.
  • Compare your measurement with the proper size chart for the boot. If you are taking your measurements in inches, use the imperial size chart. If you are taking your measurements in millimeters, use the metric size chart.
  • Ideally, the width and length measurement will fit into the same boot size. If the width and length measurements indicate different boot sizes, select the larger boot size.

Tips and warnings

  1. Hoof boots generally do not fit hooves with a lot of flair. To address flair you should work with your farrier.
  2. Look carefully at your horse’s hoof shape to determine whether a boot is likely to fit. Most hoof boots are made for horse who have hoofs that are longer than they are wide. .
  3. Hoof boots often don’t fit horses who have hooves with either very high or very low heels.
  4. Don’t include the heel bulbs in your measurements — you’ll end up with boots that are too long.

Here’s a handy video from EasyCare that shows exactly how to measure a hoof.

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