Boots are used widely to aid in the transition period and for severe navicular, founder cases as well laminitic attacks, pedal osteitis and even abscesses and thin soles. Back when the Boa boot (made by the makers of Easyboot) came out and had been extensively researched and approved for use on barefoot horses by the AANHCP and other renowned hoof care associations; I tested them out on my laminitic/navicular mare with good success. But it wasn't until I finally put pads in them that I really saw changes. While the Boa Boot was a great boot to begin with, Easycare Inc. and Pete Ramey are working closely together to make further improvements to this boot like the Easy boot Epic.

We have been recommending and using the Easyboot Epic and Easyboot Grip for riding purposes on our own horses with great results for quite some time now. These two boots are more close contact type of boots, which are later variations of the Easyboot with a Gaiter attached to it. This boot is great for high performance disciplines such endurance riding, show jumping, eventing and dressage etc. I have personally put both these and the Boa boots to the test and both models do not come off when properly fitted and applied, no matter what terrain and footing or what speed you’re travelling at!

Now there have been even more improvements to the boots which Pete Ramey has helped develop. Easyboot Glue On can be used with or without a gaiter. This should be good news for our Canadian competitive trail riders who get docked points for wearing anything above the hairline of the hooves! Also the Easyboot Glove recently debuted on the market and many of my friends and clients are using them at Competitive trail rides. Theses boots continually undegoing testing by going to the Easycare website you will be able to see the latest updates.

As well, I have some colleagues who have been testing out Kirt Lander's Renegade boots with some success. They are very similar in set up as the easyboot Epics except they have their own padding and buying extra pads is not necessary. In light of recent discoveries by Dr. Robert Bowker on peripheral loading, we do not recommend boots without pads, as they would also put the horse into a peripherally loaded state the same as a metal horse shoe would. Here is a link to the Renegade Hoof Boots: Renegade Hoof Boots They come in fun colours. The only downside that I have seen to date though is the design that the back of the boot is open and has a potential to cause tripping by catching hind hooves if the boots are not fitted properly.

For an easy to put on and take off boot for leisure riding, see Cavallo's website at www.cavallo-inc.com. They make the simple boot which fits a wider foot and now the sport boot which has a narrower fit.

As for boots for rehabilitation purposes, I have heard colleagues rave about the Soft-Ride boots but haven't had the chance to test them out myself yet, being in Canada but I will look into getting a test pair in the near future. Here is the link for those: Soft - Ride Boots

For further information on booting and how to size, fit or obtain them, please email me.

Benefits of Horse Boots in Transitioning to Barefoot

• Enable horses to get as much movement as possible

• Enable horses to get correct movement with heel first landing

• Correct movement induces repair of damaged internal tissue such as strengthening the digital cushion, stimulating frog growth and de-contraction of the hooves

• Allows horse and rider to transition from shoes to barefoot without interruption to riding

• Enables horses to move comfortably on any terrain including rocky, gravel areas

• Relieves pain and encourages healing from pedal osteitis, navicular, founder, thin soles, bruising and abscessing.

Please see the FAQ section for further information on hoof boots.