New to Booting? Let’s Tackle your Hoof Boot Concerns!

Hoof Boots 101 – Your Questions Answered

Have you been too worried to try hoof boots on your horse? Confront your hoof boot concerns and replace them with facts. We designed Cavallo Boots to stay in place and protect your horse’s hooves while riding in any terrain, and once you know how to use them, that’s exactly what they do!

While there are many hoof boots on the market, not all are made to stay on and last like Cavallos. Here’s a list of the concerns that I often hear most about horses’ health, hoof growth, and ability to move freely. Read on to erase any concerns about having your horse wear Cavallo Hoof Boots.

Past Worry #1: My main hoof boot concern – will they fall off?

Cavallos stay on because they conform to the conical shape of the hooves. The boots are held firmly in place by the industrial-strength Velcro® of the inner panels. Accurate boot sizing is very important. Typically, boots only fall off when they are too large.

Past Worry #2: Can I move faster than a walk?

Yes, you can! Riders use Cavallos daily to outfit their horses for jumping, cross country, cantering, galloping, athletic riding and driving.

Past Worry #3: Will my horse’s heel bulbs be affected?

The boots protect the heel bulbs because the back bulb area is padded with leather on both sides. The leather is inside and out, with a foam cushion in between. This foam softens and conforms to the unique shape of your horse’s bulbs, so they custom-mould to YOUR horse’s hooves. Cavallo offers Comfort Sleeves and Pastern Wraps to put on underneath the boots just to make sure there are no rubs during the boot break-in period, on extra-long rides, or for horses with extra sensitive skin.

Past Worry #4: Will boots affect my horse’s movement?

In the case of tender-footed horses, boots will usually lead to a huge improvement in movement. Cavallo customers report that horses who once walked with care now stride out and walk with confidence.  Horses acclimate quickly to the addition of boots. For gaited horses or dressage horses, where the quality of movement is so important, Cavallo Boots do not impede the horse’s natural gaits in any way.

Past Worry #5: Will my horse outgrow his boots in between trims?

Cavallo Boots have built-in room for six to eight weeks of typical hoof growth. There is plenty of extra space and no need to “size up” for your boots. Typically, your boots should fit your horse from beginning to end of the trim cycle. We also offer our famous range of Hoof Boot Pads that can adjust for any extra room after a fresh trim and take up extra space to tighten the fit of a boot.

Past Worry #6: Will wearing boots interfere with my horse’s correct hoof function/hoof mechanism?

Cavallo Hoof Boots are not meant to fit skin-tight like some other boot brands. This allows plenty of space for the hooves to flex and function naturally. The Cavallo Boot sole serves as a smooth, even platform for your horse to move on, and provides an excellent surface for the hoof. To customize your boots’ inner surface for your horse, just choose the Cavallo Hoof Boot Pad style that best suits your horse’s needs:

 

Past Worry #7: Will wearing boots lead to weaker hooves or make my horse dependent on boots? 

Except in the case of boots being used for therapeutic purposes on a lame horse, Cavallo’s recommendations are to allow your horse to live barefoot on natural terrain then apply the boots for daily exercise and riding. The boots provide a stable, comfortable surface for exercise on even the most challenging terrain. The boots also offer unparalleled full protection of the entire hoof. Living barefoot and riding in boots provides the benefits of both.

Have any questions for us? We’re always happy to chat with you about your hoof boot concerns and we have a lot of information to share. Give us a call toll-free at 1(877) 818-0037 in Canada or the USA. We’re also available on Facebook PM, Monday to Saturday. Prefer email? We’re at info@cavallo-inc.com . 

Wishing you many happy trails on your barefoot, booted and beautiful horse,

-Carole

Carole Herder is the author of the #1-bestselling books: There Are No Horseshoes in Heaven, and the newly-released Hoofprints on The Journey. Her company, Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc., manufactures and distributes horse products, including Cavallo Hoof Boots and Saddle Pads, to 26 countries worldwide. Herder designed and developed Cavallo Hoof Boots and Total Comfort System Saddle Pads. She’s an honored recipient of the BCBusiness Women Innovator Award, Royal Bank of Canada Woman Entrepreneur Award, a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, and a certified Chopra University Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Teacher.