[PoochtheMighty]

Apache's hooves have taken a beating this winter, so a few months ago, the farrier told me it was in Poochy's best interest if I put bell boots on him. There hasn't been an issue with it until now. Yesterday, when I brought Apache up (it's about a 1/4 mile walk from his pasture to the barn), I checked underneath the bellboots for moisture in his heels, and there was alot of heat and a little swelling right above and around the coronet band. I know that the bell boots aren't too tight. I did some groundwork after taking the bell boots off, and then checked again- and there was no heat. I left his bell boots off when I put him back out and today when I brought him up, there wasn't any heat. But there's never been a problem with the boots before... anyone know what's going on?

Also, this is just out of curiousity- has anyone ever heard of applying straight polyurethane on the hoof wall? Apparently this seals in any moisture in the hoof and blocks out any other outside moisture so that there isn't excessive wetness, then dryness, then wetness again, which causes cracks.

[Dawn]

I'm confused. The farrier told you to turn him out with bell boots on to protect his hooves?!

[PoochtheMighty]

Yes, that's what he told me to do.

[spyro1]

Was he concerned about him throwing a shoe?? that is the only time I turn Spy out in bell boots is when I know he is going to get goofy (like in cooler weather).Also, I think that polyurethane is a BAD idea. JMO, though. I would instead, treat him from the inside out, maybe put him on Farrier's Formula and apply hoof conditioner. I was under the impression that dryness caused cracks, not wet, dry, wet. when the hoof gets too dry, it cracks. in Apache's case, the heat might have been caused from moisture getting trapped under the rim of the bell boot.

[PoochtheMighty]

Your comment about the moisture getting caught under the bell boot is very probable! He's a pasture horse so he's always standing in soggy places (if only horses were logical, I'd save so much money) and that could very well be the case. But he had a little bit of swelling, too, as if the boots were too tight- but they are definitely not, as I freaked out and bought a size too big for him just in case.

I have Apache on a supplement for his hock, which also has biotin and hoof/coat formula in it, which seems to be doing a good job. But I've only just started him on it about a week ago, so any real results will probably not show up for about another week or so.

I thought the cracks were caused by dryness too, but I'm not too sure about conditioning his hooves with all this wetness. I am currently treating his soles with bleach to combat all the moisture and thrushiness!

Poochy is out to kill my savings fund...

[Sandra-A1]

Yes, I have heard of putting a hoof sealant on hooves, but it was the kind formulated for horses hoofs...I would not use straight polyurethane!
Buy something formulated for the purpose like Farriers Hoof Sealant of one of the many other such products if your needing to put something on your horse's hoofs!

[PoochtheMighty]

I'll have to try to prod my dad into buying that for me. wink I am beginning to wonder about some of my farrier's decisions...

[Blistering Winds]

First off, make sure you take OFF the bell boots. Don't leave them on 24/7 or you will cause more problems than you already have

Second....why is he wearing bell boots again? To protect the shoe? Heels?

There are lots of sealants out there. I recommend them for horses in and out of moisture areas.

[PoochtheMighty]

He has an over-stride (however you call it), and he started to catch the end of the shoe a while ago with his hind hooves while walking. I've got to admit, he's a wee bit clumsy and he does step on himself every once in a while. (when I say step on himself, I mean it literally.)

I take the bell boots off every time I bring him up for a ride or some groundwork, let them soak in hot water, and then put them on after they've dried when I turn him back out.

Another boarder I knew kept bell boots on her horse 24/7, but he was a stall horse and stood in dry shavings 14 hours a day...which Apache definitely does not.

[Dawn]

You shouldn't have any type of boots on a horse when it's in wet or muddy conditions, riding or otherwise. You could end up with scratches or any sort of bacterial or fungal disease. If you are going to turn him out in boots, it needs to be in a dry environment.