Hoof Boots

[HorseMom]

I've been duct taping Styrofoam pads onto Jay's feet for the past few days to help him feel more comfortable during the healing process. Unfortunately with it being so cold out the tape just doesn't want to stick. The pads come off within a couple hours. Has anyone used the Davis Barrier Boot? Could I put the styrofoam pads inside them and put them on Jay? I have heard of Sole Guard but I'm unsure on how soft it is and if it would help Jay out.

 

[Knighthawke]

I have never used davis boots. I have used the easy boot bares on my large horse and they have rubber pads you can put in them, but they are not to keep on all the time.

 

[susanne]

I posted a question about the Vettec products (Sole Guard and SuperFast), and received extremely positive responses. With nasty weather they may not stay on as long as in dry summer, but from what I heard and what I've read, it seems like the ideal product for Jay's situation.

SuperFast will actually build and reshape the hoof to make up for that horrible trim.

Do an LB search for Vettec and it will come up.

 

[ruffian]

You could try electrical tape. It stretches and molds better than duct tape. Plus you can wrap it numerous times and make it virtually waterproof. I'd try that before putting $$ into hoof boots.

Good Luck

 

[Bess Kelly]

Have you tried vet wrap? It will not wear as long as the duct tape but, will stay on. So you may need to redo it every 2-3 days......so? It's pretty cheap from Jeffers.......stretchy, conforms, etc.

 

[Knighthawke]

You could then put the duct tape over it.

Another super strong sticky tape is elasticon, you have to get it from you vet or vet supply company. I think I did see it at the CVS pharmacy but it is rather expensive.

Barb

 

[hobbyhorse23]

The main thing that's bad in applying Vettec Solegard as I understand it is moisture. If it's cold but dry it might stay on pretty well! I'm not sure.

It does cure into a fairly hard-feeling pad but apparently it was more than rubbery enough for Kody to find relief from it when I tried it. I do not know if the product gets brittle in cold; I was considering trying it again and finding out because if it would stay in when applied in low temperatures it would make a great snowpad for the minis! No more balling up!

Vettech SuperFast can be used to make temporary shoes for him that would keep that bruised sole off the ground. It would essentially "regrow" the hoof for him as far as angles and what parts are touching the ground and if you (or he) didn't like it you could just nip or pry it off and be back where you started. It's slippery on concrete if you don't rasp grooves in but lasts for a long time and was fine in wet weather when I tried it. He'd only need it for a few weeks at most.

Applying these products is a mild pain but much less so than applying duct tape three or more times a day and will stay with him better as well as allowing more natural movement. After too-short trims Kody has gone from totally ouchy to completely sound with application of each product and was driving within 30 minutes. Jay will be a bit worse off of course, but either should really help.

Leia

 

[Sue_C.]

Try the hoof boots from Chimacum tack. I bought a pair this summer, and I really like them. they are easy to put on, they stay one, and are very reasonable at $45 a pair. Cheaper than any other mentioned above in the long run...and they are good for driving in as well.

 

[jleonard]

If you decide not to try the Vettech, get some Elasticon. I have been having to do a lot of hoof packs on horses at the farm I work at this year, they've had a lot of abcesses. For that we do a diaper (not that you need the diaper or would find one to fit a mini!), a layer of vet wrap to keep it in place, a layer of duck tape to prevent the hoof from wearing through the Elasticon, then the Elasticon to finish. It has been lasting 24 hours between changings in very muddy fields. Elasticon is awesome stuff, and I've had no trouble with it not sticking because of the cold

ETA: we have been using hoof boots on one horse who has an abcess and is slightly laminitic and is staying inside all the time. With him we just to as far as the vet wrap and put the hoof boot on. He is a big guy, so I can't comment on the fit of the mini boots. Either way, it would seem you would need something to wrap the styrofoam to the hoof so it can't slide around...

 

[normajeanbaker]

I have had alot of luck building a shoe out of Superfast on the foot and then using Equi-Pak as a "pad" in the center. The Equipak(also made by Vettec) provides a really good cushion. If you apply the Superfast and Equi-Pak correctly, I've had it stay in place for 6 weeks and I pulled it off...it didn't fall off. The Equipak as a shoe will lift his foot right up off the ground, which that itself will provide his sore soles with some relief. Adding in the Equi-Pak will add a cushion. I have not used it in the winter though with snow, so I have no idea how it grips. You can rasp grooves in the superfast though after it dries to provide some traction. The initial set up is expensive(buying the gun and products), but if you've got a horse who needs it, it's very much so worth it.

I have never used Sole Guard, but have heard it sets up to a rather hard texture.

Jen

 

[HorseMom]

Thanks everyone. I am trying the vetrap with duct tape over it temporarily, but it's still difficult in this cold weather. I wish spring would hurry up and get here. Leia, you've been telling me to try the sole guard from the start. Maybe I'll order some. We only need it for the next month. Then the new farrier comes out again to check on him.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

Try the hoof boots from Chimacum tack. I bought a pair this summer, and I really like them. they are easy to put on, they stay one, and are very reasonable at $45 a pair. Cheaper than any other mentioned above in the long run...and they are good for driving in as well.

I like her boots as well but last I talked to her the guy who was making the rubber bottoms had up and moved to China without telling her.

She wasn't sure how she was going to get any more.

Heather, you might look into the EquiPak product as well. Heck, call Vettec and see what what they recommend for your situation! I don't normally push any sort of product but I've been where you are and wish I'd know about these when it was my horse who was sore.

It's so terribly hard watching them limp around.

Leia