Hello all. I've perused the threads in this topic and there are so many that will give me an education but I decided it's best to ask my questions outright hoping for specific input and thoughts.
I have a 17.2h paint gelding, Dutch. Even though I don't ride him often, mostly because of his size, I don't necessarily want to get rid of him either. I like him. However, he has crappy feet. Thin walls and tender soles and in Arizona terrain that can be difficult.
Recently my new farrier came out and fashioned a temporary hoof pad so I could ride and see if sole protection would help him on the trail. Lo and behold he not only moved easier, his entire body language was much more relaxed. It wasn't a perfect solution as being temporary it was just a quick fix. The temps have worn off now and he's back to his tender footed self.
We've decided to switch to boots. I'm going to ask my farrier to come out this week and pull his shoes so we can get a good barefoot trim and measure so I can order right away. I know how sore he's going to be barefoot while waiting for the boots to arrive so I'm trying expedite as much as safely possible.
I'm not going to even try to pretend that I know much about barefoot trims as opposed to shod trims, but will say that I really like my new farrier. He is the one that stated that he didn't want to pull the shoes too soon as he wanted enough good growth to work with for a better barefoot trim as opposed to shoeing him again. Hope that made sense. But, I really liked how he explained some of the differences to me.
On to my question.
I'm considering the Cavalo Simple boots. Haven't ever used them myself but have heard very good things about them.
A friend recently bought a TWH that is already in Scoot Boots. She is impressed with them and likes how easy to use they are. I am too, but am concerned with the ordering and shipping time frame as I would prefer not to leave him completely bare and sore for that long.
I've used Renegade's in the past and they are an excellent boot, but I had to make so many modifications to them to allow for our low brush and terrain that they were difficult to use.
Can anyone give me some insight as to your experiences with any of these products? Or other suggestions?
Of course I want whats best for my horse, but I need them to be reasonably simple for me as well. I don't have the greatest of hand and finger strength and some mornings arthritis can be a nuisance. And with his size I can't always get up and down to adjust or reapply a lost boot.
I should add as well, that we are on an irrigated lot providing mostly soft soil. I have rubber mats in their stalls and try to provide as much comfort as possible so during the waiting period for new boots to arrive and can do as much as possible to keep him comfortable, but he's a big guy and no plan is perfect.
I have a 17.2h paint gelding, Dutch. Even though I don't ride him often, mostly because of his size, I don't necessarily want to get rid of him either. I like him. However, he has crappy feet. Thin walls and tender soles and in Arizona terrain that can be difficult.
Recently my new farrier came out and fashioned a temporary hoof pad so I could ride and see if sole protection would help him on the trail. Lo and behold he not only moved easier, his entire body language was much more relaxed. It wasn't a perfect solution as being temporary it was just a quick fix. The temps have worn off now and he's back to his tender footed self.
We've decided to switch to boots. I'm going to ask my farrier to come out this week and pull his shoes so we can get a good barefoot trim and measure so I can order right away. I know how sore he's going to be barefoot while waiting for the boots to arrive so I'm trying expedite as much as safely possible.
I'm not going to even try to pretend that I know much about barefoot trims as opposed to shod trims, but will say that I really like my new farrier. He is the one that stated that he didn't want to pull the shoes too soon as he wanted enough good growth to work with for a better barefoot trim as opposed to shoeing him again. Hope that made sense. But, I really liked how he explained some of the differences to me.
On to my question.
I'm considering the Cavalo Simple boots. Haven't ever used them myself but have heard very good things about them.
A friend recently bought a TWH that is already in Scoot Boots. She is impressed with them and likes how easy to use they are. I am too, but am concerned with the ordering and shipping time frame as I would prefer not to leave him completely bare and sore for that long.
I've used Renegade's in the past and they are an excellent boot, but I had to make so many modifications to them to allow for our low brush and terrain that they were difficult to use.
Can anyone give me some insight as to your experiences with any of these products? Or other suggestions?
Of course I want whats best for my horse, but I need them to be reasonably simple for me as well. I don't have the greatest of hand and finger strength and some mornings arthritis can be a nuisance. And with his size I can't always get up and down to adjust or reapply a lost boot.
I should add as well, that we are on an irrigated lot providing mostly soft soil. I have rubber mats in their stalls and try to provide as much comfort as possible so during the waiting period for new boots to arrive and can do as much as possible to keep him comfortable, but he's a big guy and no plan is perfect.