I plan on starting riding again in September (baby should be here any day...so I figure that will be enough recovery time). Anyway...my horse has been barefoot for about 6 months, but I think I will be riding on very rough terrain. The new property we are on is fairly undeveloped and we have found lots of old tin cans and junk on the ground that we are sloooowly picking up bit by bit. I also plan to do long trots down the side of our road...so you never know what you might step on going down the road. So I think I am going to invest in hoof boots to protect his precious footsies. What are the best brands? I want them to be able to flex well enough to go through all the gaits...not just slow trail walks. Most of my work will be at a good paced extended trot. I looked at the Easyboot Epic Bare? Or there are those really razzmatazz ones that literally look like sneakers?
Generally, I'd suggest the Easyboot Epics for the money and fit and versatility.
If you want easy on/off and don't mind a clunkier boot, Cavallos or Boas.
Bares have a neat tread, but I personally don' t care for the fastening system, though you can change it out, but for the money, the Epics are just fine.
When I bought my boots (Boa) the Epics were not out yet.
I like the Boa's, have done just about everything in them without a problem and they are really easy to put on and take off, but friends who used both said the Epics were better. Good Luck!
We've ridden in the Epic's for the past three years and the horse's seem to really like them. Some people have said they are hard to get off, but all I do is take a hoof pick and pop up the tab.
The only problem I have is on the first ride of the year my older guy who is Mr. Saftey, thinks it's impossilbe to canter with them on. Once we get that over with were good to go!
Once we get that over with were good to go! 
