Hoof Protection

Hoof Protection
Here you will find various hoof protection devices to assist your horse (if needed) during the transition to barefoot or during lameness rehabilitation.

Tribe Equus is making every effort to carefully evaluate the
boots on the market that are being recommended by various companies and individuals
for barefoot horses. Our evaluations are based on independent research and our own personal use of
the boots you see listed on this page...we are not just talking to the manufacturers or marketers.
If a boot does not appear here, it is because we have no personal experience with it.
Comments made about a particular boot are based on our independent research and experience with the boot.

Boots for Riding

Swiss Horse Boots
Swiss Boot
The Swiss Horse Boot is durable enough to hold up to rigorous use,
flexible enough to allow the hoof to function properly and, because of its design and careful fitting requirements, encourages the hoof to be trimmed properly according to the NATURAL hoof method.

Swiss Horse Boots must have a good snug fit to work properly and can be modified through inserts, toe slotting, and actual transformation with a heat gun, and is a very versatile boot. It has "give" and will change its shape over time to conform exactly to the horse's hoof. Because of the precision involved in acheiving a proper fit, the Swiss Horse Boot is available through trained fitters, ask your hoof care provider to get more information.

Or visit: http://www.primechoice.com/swissboot/

For riding
BOA Horse Boots

The BOA Horse Boot is durable enough to hold up to rigorous use,
flexible enough to allow the hoof to function properly.

"The BOA Horse Boots is a safe, reliable and quality hoof boot for most equestrian purposes when fitted properly and in conjunction with a responsible regimen of natural hoof care and natural horse keeping practices." - AANHCP

For more information visit:
Easy Care BOA Horse Boot

For riding

Easy Care Epic

I absolutely recommend the Epic and it is the boot of choice that I encourage my hoof care clients to use. The only difficulty I have with them is that in some horses - depending on their hoof form, the heel strap can be in the way of getting the heel (this is on a low heel, compressed bulbs of a fully transitioned and working barefoot horse) seated well. But the strap can be cut to address this issue. The side clips that have been a point of objection has been covered over in the Epic model. - Hawk

For more information visit:
Easy Care Epic

For riding
Marquis Hoof Boot

The Marquis Boot is will remain in the testing phase for long term effects. Preliminary results show it to be a boot that is relatively easy to apply and adjust after an initial learning curve regarding the inflation of the air cell. Our concern about this boot is primarily centered around the front closure system of the boot. In horses with a short toe, low heel - which is the hallmark of a healthy natural foot - the pressure can/will be directly over the coronary band and the amount of force applied by the closure system can easily cause damage to that structure.

In horses that have not achieved a short toe, such that the coronary band is above the hard shell and closure system,
the boot could be acceptable but users should monitor the condition of the hoof regularly during use to be certain all is well.

Davis Barrier Boots

Our experience with the Davis Barrier boot is that if the hoof happens to be perectly shaped for the boot, they will stay on with VERY light riding for a very short distance. Otherwise, they will come off. We found them best suited for very light temporary use.

for riding

Easy Boots
Our experience with Easy Boots has not been satisfactory.
The metal clamps inside the boot bite into the lateral hoof wall and is a cause for concern, especially in hooves that are thin-walled and/or brittle. We have used them with the clamps and with the clamps flattened (to avoid the bite into the walls) - we had frequent loss of boots on trail rides. We also used them with the foam filler which we found to be a bit noxious and messy. They are, however, the ONLY boot allowed at Competative Trail Rides because they are the only boot that does not cover the coronary band.

For more information visit:
Easy Care Easy Boot

for riding

Old Mac
Our experience with the Old Mac was initially promising, easy to fit on a variety of hoof shapes, but over time the boot failed to hold up with rigorous use.
The sole of the boot is NOT hoof shaped and is extrememly rigid with metal plates that we assume are for the purpose of re-surfacing the sole of the boot. The inside strapping system is cause for our concern to the health of the hoof and leg over time.

for riding

Easy Care G-2
This is the next generation of what was the Old Mac. Easy Care has made significant changes to the new design that are meant to address the concerns with the Old Mac.
We have not yet had the opportunity to evaluate the G-2 first hand.

For more information visit:
Easy Care G-2

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Swiss Horse Boots The Swiss Horse Boot is durable enough to hold up to rigorous use, flexible enough to allow the hoof to function properly and, because of its design and careful fitting requirements, encourages the hoof to be trimmed properly according to the NATURAL hoof method. Swiss Horse Boots must have a good snug fit to work properly and can be modified through inserts, toe slotting, and actual transformation with a heat gun, and is a very versatile boot. It has "give" and will change its shape over time to conform exactly to the horse's hoof. Because of the precision involved in acheiving a proper fit, the Swiss Horse Boot is available through trained fitters, ask your hoof care provider to get more information. Or visit: http://www.primechoice.com/swissboot/ For riding	BOA Horse Boots The BOA Horse Boot is durable enough to hold up to rigorous use, flexible enough to allow the hoof to function properly. "The BOA Horse Boots is a safe, reliable and quality hoof boot for most equestrian purposes when fitted properly and in conjunction with a responsible regimen of natural hoof care and natural horse keeping practices." - AANHCP For more information visit: Easy Care BOA Horse Boot For riding

Easy Care Epic I absolutely recommend the Epic and it is the boot of choice that I encourage my hoof care clients to use. The only difficulty I have with them is that in some horses - depending on their hoof form, the heel strap can be in the way of getting the heel (this is on a low heel, compressed bulbs of a fully transitioned and working barefoot horse) seated well. But the strap can be cut to address this issue. The side clips that have been a point of objection has been covered over in the Epic model. - Hawk For more information visit: Easy Care Epic For riding	Marquis Hoof Boot The Marquis Boot is will remain in the testing phase for long term effects. Preliminary results show it to be a boot that is relatively easy to apply and adjust after an initial learning curve regarding the inflation of the air cell. Our concern about this boot is primarily centered around the front closure system of the boot. In horses with a short toe, low heel - which is the hallmark of a healthy natural foot - the pressure can/will be directly over the coronary band and the amount of force applied by the closure system can easily cause damage to that structure. In horses that have not achieved a short toe, such that the coronary band is above the hard shell and closure system, the boot could be acceptable but users should monitor the condition of the hoof regularly during use to be certain all is well.