Hoof boots are the device used to cover the hooves of a horse. These may be made using plastic or rubber. They may serve as an add on or alternative to horseshoes.
Most often the boots are applied as a sort of protection mechanism when an animal has an injured hoof that requires protection of the sole, or to help with the application of certain medicines. Several designs are used, although they all serve the primary objective to protect the sole and wall from difficult terrain, such as rocks or hard surfaces.
The structures are often used as a substitute for the more common horseshoes. They may also be back up for thrown shoes when farriers are not an option, or as temporary protection for a barefoot animal that is subject to conditions that unshod hooves cannot withstand. These items are used often for trail or endurance riding, although they are frequently worn on police horses that work primarily on hard pavement.
If a horse is transitioning between shod and unshod riding, these may be worn. During rides, as back up for horses that throw their shoes, these devices are usually on hand. In the field of veterinary medicine, these are often utilized.
If the animal has a puncture wound, or bruised sole, they may require a boot for injury or wound protection. This also helps increase the cleanliness of the area and can be used to keep medication, such as poultice, in contact with the injured area. Some horses cannot wear horseshoes. In these cases, boots may be an alternative. Likewise, there are horses with laminitis that are responsive to these devices as they recover.
hoof boots are not meant to be kept on horses all the time. Instead, they must be put on and taken off as they are needed. There are some horses who have theirs taken off on a daily basis. Others may wear them for days at a time and do no major harm. In either case, it is important that the structures fit properly and do not rub or slip off.
Most often the boots are applied as a sort of protection mechanism when an animal has an injured hoof that requires protection of the sole, or to help with the application of certain medicines. Several designs are used, although they all serve the primary objective to protect the sole and wall from difficult terrain, such as rocks or hard surfaces.
The structures are often used as a substitute for the more common horseshoes. They may also be back up for thrown shoes when farriers are not an option, or as temporary protection for a barefoot animal that is subject to conditions that unshod hooves cannot withstand. These items are used often for trail or endurance riding, although they are frequently worn on police horses that work primarily on hard pavement.
If a horse is transitioning between shod and unshod riding, these may be worn. During rides, as back up for horses that throw their shoes, these devices are usually on hand. In the field of veterinary medicine, these are often utilized.
If the animal has a puncture wound, or bruised sole, they may require a boot for injury or wound protection. This also helps increase the cleanliness of the area and can be used to keep medication, such as poultice, in contact with the injured area. Some horses cannot wear horseshoes. In these cases, boots may be an alternative. Likewise, there are horses with laminitis that are responsive to these devices as they recover.
hoof boots are not meant to be kept on horses all the time. Instead, they must be put on and taken off as they are needed. There are some horses who have theirs taken off on a daily basis. Others may wear them for days at a time and do no major harm. In either case, it is important that the structures fit properly and do not rub or slip off.
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