[mustangDJ]

I have a 4 yr old draft (freisian/perch) that has a small crack running down each of his front hooves. Already had the farrier out and he said its ok not to put shoes on him now, but if the cracks split open further/bleed then we'd have problems. All together it would be $70 for front shoes/trim every 6 weeks. Which I don't think is that bad, but my farrier said he does have good feet, and the cracks arn't bad, that the larger draft breeds are just known for cracking hooves. He is the type of guy who would rather not shoe if he doesnt have to-and recommended something like the easy boot when we go out on the road riding.

We've taking him on trails full of rocks bare foot-no problems, we've taking him down dirth roads-no problems, and rode him into down down the cement with no problems. No heat/bruising/new cracks/damage any time during these rides over rough ground. I Would like to purchase something though because we planned to take them out to the Smoky Mountians and more this summer and I always like to be prepaired, for him and my mustang.

Whats your opinions on the easy boots, or other brands anyone really likes? Are there any brands that stay on easier then others? thanks!!

[IndraAmber]

I have a few pairs of easy boots, and I really like them, though I prefer the easy boot epics, and I'm looking forwards to trying the gloves.

Though if your horse has cracks, it's one of two things, your farrier isn't doing a good job, and/or he is nutritionally lacking in something. I'd be looking for the cause rather then just a cover up, but by all means, try the easy boots in the mean time.

[Vyshtia]

When an ex-farrier trimmed Lasair's hind hooves too short and he was completely lame on both rears on hard surfaces, I bought the Easycare Boa boots. Those saved Lasair and I was able to ride him for the 5 weeks until his hooves grew out enough to not be painful anymore. Only thing was, they were a major pain to put on and take off.

When I got into Endurance - I was told to get some hoof boots if my horse had tender hooves over rocky terrain. I purchased the Epic Boots and love them. They do exactly what they're supposed to. I use them when his shoes are wearing dangerously thin too, until he gets his new shoes. They are still a bit of a pain to put on, but not bad.

I see they have a new model out now, the Edge - and it looks like it would be easier to put on and tighten - I would buy those in a heartbeat if I had the money and need...but my epics are still holding up well. Once they go, I would definitely buy whatever is the newest model available by Easycare. I think these boots are great as extra protection when riding in rocky terrain and as protection for tender/sensitive hooves. I don't need to use these all the time, but when I do need them, they are indispensable.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by IndraAmber

Though if your horse has cracks, it's one of two things, your farrier isn't doing a good job, and/or he is nutritionally lacking in something. I'd be looking for the cause rather then just a cover up, but by all means, try the easy boots in the mean time.

Ditto. Cracks are not normal - they DO mean something is not right.

Would you be able to post pictures?

[mustangDJ]

Yes i will take pictures. I just bought this horse 8 weeks ago, and this is my farrier that I have used and trust. We had another farrier come out today that was seeing my friend's horse and he says he has seen similar looking..uh *cracks* in heavy/draft breeds in this area. When we did the vet check before we purchased him the vet has said that cracks (theyre not really *cracks* it looks like a wood chip kinda peice is missing) like this are normal in the breed(s)too. Blood work was pulled and he is a healthy boy. I had asked the previous owners if he had an Injury to his front hooves, but they said they never noticed because he was just always out in the field and not touched. So he just might be missing something in his diet from before, but he is on sweet feed, roundbale, pasture, and Nu-Image daily, I might just go and buy a vitmain/mineral supp..anyone recommend anything?

the left is the worst(looking), and the right isnt bad at all. My farrier says they'll take 9 months to a year to full grow another hoof. Right now he is not lame at all and has no pain going over rocky terrain or anything, I would just like to be safe in his front two.

I will take pictures tomorrow ASAP..or I might try to blow some up tonight from an original picture I already have.

[mustangDJ]

Ah-hah! after emailing my farrier and questioning more on Dually's cracks-he explained more in debth to me why he said, what he said.

"Draft horses are prone to more cracking of their hooves most of the time due to owner neg for not having their feet trimmed as often as they need to be. Draft horses carry more weight on their hooves and with long toes and flairing added by all that weight cracks are just bound to happen."

agreeing..

I have owned Dually for a little over 6 weeks now and when my farrier did come out he said whomever had trimmed his feet previously had really screwed him up with the angles of his hooves. He said if Dually would have been continued to be trimmed the way he was his knees and hocks would have been trashed in another year or so because of the crookedness of his hooves.

Dually is now due for trims every 6 weeks to correct this problem. My farrier had said once i get the extra weight off of Dually and now that he has an owner who will have his feet done more often, the cracks should then grow out with new, healthy hooves.

That makes much more sense to me!

I will still post a photo of his front hooves tomorrow after I go and see him. Both Dually and Ripley (my mustang) are going to be measured for easy boots tomorrow-fun fun! Mustang's feet are good, but I still want some added protection since we do so much (dirt) road riding/rocky trails and I am the type of person who doesnt want to shoe.

[RockHorseRanch]

WOW!! What a beautiful guy!! Yes, everything your farrier said. He sounds like a knowledgeable man. I think if you avoid trotting/cantering on hard or rocky surfaces and just feed him appropriately, you'll see a huge improvement in hoof quality.

My farrier also commends me on the "clean" mud packs (that's a joke, btw!) I give my horses. What he means is too dry can crack up feet (sand for instance) or standing in urine/manure which has a bad chemical effect on feet and frogs.

I have used Easy Boots (very hard to get on and if the correct size, pretty much stay on) and Old Macs - easy to put on, stay on, but if not the correct shape and size for horse, can rub. I have a friend uses the Cavallo boot occasionally with no problem and another uses the Boa boot once in a while no problem.

[mustangDJ]

Ok, i have pictures-sorry they took so long!

Dually's hooves:

two front

[mustangDJ]

sorry i forgot to add that these pictures were taken 1 week after the 1st corrective trimming. He has to have 3-4 further trims just to correct the angle of his hoof. His feet were left untrimmed for a while by the previous owner(s) and his feet were left to grow uneven

[RockHorseRanch]

OMG - that's kind of scary - what's your vet say?