[devildogtigress]

My guy keeps bell boots on per farrier directions to prevent his pulling a shoe (he's very prone to it).

I got to the barn today, look in his stall, and he was missing a bell boot. He'd lost it in the pasture the night before. I use traditional bell boots, no velcro but the pull on ones, so I'm baffled as to how he got it off. I went out into the pasture and found it, intact, and was able to put it back on w/o any issues. I'm baffled. Has anyone ever experienced this before? Anyone offer any thoughts as to how he might have gotten it off? I'm more curious than anything at this point. Thanks!

 

[Speed Racer]

Well, think about it. If you can pull it on, he can most certainly pull it off.

Horses have all day to figure stuff out, which is why I have carabiner clips on my stall latches.

 

[themacpack]

I would guess it was caught by another hoof while he was in motion and it was just pulled off.

 

[kitten_Val]

Step on = gone. My paint does it all the time. Every other day I should walk around the field to look for one.

Possible solution is to get a more rigid(?) one. I can't explain, but some are more flexible then others, so look into less flexible (less pullie) one (BUT they'll be harder, much harder to pull on too).

 

[upnover]

Yep, if they can be pulled off by you, they can certainly be pulled off by your horse! I looked in the pasture one day and saw a horse and his buddy playing tug of war with his bell boot... with it still on his hoof (front leg up in the air).

 

[devildogtigress]

Thanks y'all! I'm guessing he was up to some wild play last night, b/c he as a nice crescent hoof mark on his forhead too. *sigh* Silly Ponies!!!

 

[ridergirl23]

I have the velcro ones, i love them maybe try them?

 

[wild_spot]

have you tried the 'petal' ones? The petals are attached to a strap that buckles around the fetlock. much harder to get off, and they sound cool too :]

Or the rigid, neoprene ones that have a bulb that sits in the heel to stop them rotating - they aren't long enough to touch the ground so can't be stepped on. think SMB ones.

 

[kitten_Val]

Or the rigid, neoprene ones that have a bulb that sits in the heel to stop them rotating - they aren't long enough to touch the ground so can't be stepped on. think SMB ones.

Only if you are rich. Lol! I tried it once and while I agree they sit higher and horse doesn't loose them (I use neoprene for trailering after my horse pulled off the rubber ones), they hold on for may be 2 days in field. The material gets all ripped off very fast unfortunately. Actually all neoprene I've seen (it may be different in Australia though) says "no-turn out". :lol:

 

[wild_spot]

Oh really? I didn't know that. I don't use bellboots on any of my horses, so I don't have any first hand experience, lol!

 

[Alwaysbehind]

Like others have said, they can pull them off.

Every time I have to search a pasture or paddock for a bell boot I am thankful the bell boot was there to be pulled off, instead of the shoe!

It you go too much smaller (not touching the ground) like was suggested you will not be providing as much protection to your shoe.

I suggest you keep a spare set around to be able to replace the bell boot when the missing boot is hiding out there some where. They really can fly pretty far if they come off during very active horse fun.

 

[maura]

wild spot,

You're funny. I'm guessing you don't use them much, because

The petals ..., and they sound cool too :]​

I hate the sound of petal bell boots. I would cringe in the schooling area when I'd hear a horse come up behind me in them!


​

 

[StormyBlues]

^ditto! SOOOOO anoying!!!

To the OP. Davis makes a wrighted bell boot that is Velcro locked. All you have to do is take out the lead weights and you have a double layer, can't be pulled off bell boot! I use them for turnout on my boy and love it!
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[wild_spot]

Lol! I actually did use the petals for a while about 5 years ago on Wildey - I liked the sound and it made me chuckle when we would be in the ring at a gymkhana and it would freak out the other horses - Horrible I know! He he.

 

[aforred]

Off Topic

Horses have all day to figure stuff out, which is why I have carabiner clips on my stall latches.

Amen! You just gave me a great big smile, because this reminds me of my favorite Houdini horse. So, thank you!