Do barefoot horses need hoof boots?

Horse Illustrated reports a barefoot farrier saying that plenty of barefoot horses are sound in their turnout but need protection in the riding environment. The Horse describes boots as a compromise between shoes and nothing at all, and says whether to use them comes down to the horse, the owner and the advice of professionals.

So the real questions are about your horse: what ground does she work on, how do her feet feel on it, and what does your farrier or vet see when they look at the hoof? This page covers the situations where boots come up. It cannot tell you whether your horse needs them. A farrier or vet can.

Horse Illustrated calls vets and farriers the ultimate experts on a horse's feet. The Horse quotes a UK farrier and certified hoof boot fitter who says fitting ideally involves a qualified farrier or podiatrist trained in boots, and who takes the measurements, advises on brands and sizes, and handles application and adjustment.

Some conditions are firmly vet territory. The Horse notes that shoes may still be needed for extra protection or traction, or for laminitis or white line disease. If your horse is lame, or you think she might be, call your vet. A boot is not a diagnosis, and it isn't treatment.

The table pulls together what The Horse and Horse Illustrated describe, with the farrier or vet as the person to ask each time.

The Horse quotes a University of Malta researcher who expects roughly three months of frequent boot use, depending on how deep the sole is. The same researcher recommends regular lateral radiographs to track sole thickness through the transition, which is a vet and farrier job, not a do-it-yourself one.

A rider's own checks matter too. Horse Illustrated quotes a barefoot farrier who says to consider boots if a horse shows lameness, hesitation or compensating movement when ridden barefoot. If she looks short, careful or reluctant on a surface she used to handle, tell your farrier or vet. Don't push through it.

Horse Illustrated says the purpose should drive the choice, from pasture horses with medical issues, to slim boots for long distances, to horses transitioning from shoes. A boot made for a laminitic horse standing in a paddock is not the same tool as a boot made for a trail ride.

Makers describe their own ranges this way. For example, Cavallo lists a honeycomb-built all-terrain style, a leather-upper style and a lighter nylon style, and says some are suited to rehabilitation, trailering and breeding. That is a maker's description of what its styles are for. Whether a given boot is right for a horse recovering from an abscess or sole bruise is a question for your vet and farrier.

As one maker's example, Cavallo's listings describe its all-terrain style as having a honeycomb build, mesh drainage and a front fastening, its leather-upper style as pairing a leather upper with a thermoplastic outsole, and its lighter style as having a nylon upper for lighter work, along with an entry-level nylon style. They say some styles are sold singly and others in pairs, so if you need both front hooves covered, check what you are buying and whether you need a second boot.

These are the maker's descriptions, and other makers have their own ranges and sizing systems. The point is that boot styles are not interchangeable, and a farrier or boot fitter who knows the options can tell you which suits your horse's feet and your footing. Our horse boots category lists what we carry.

Cavallo's listings say the same, and note that each style has its own chart and that a regular sole fits a rounder hoof and a slim sole a narrower one. When to measure is where sources differ a little. The Horse quotes a farrier who measures about two weeks after a trim, once the horse has adapted to it, while Horse Illustrated quotes a rider who recommends fitting after a fresh trim, when the hoof is smallest. Ask your farrier which they prefer, and measure the same way each time.

A boot that fits, according to Horse Illustrated, is easy to put on but can't turn or move around on the foot. Loose boots twist or make noise, and tight ones fall off or rub the heel bulbs. The Horse lists the risks of a poor fit: lost or twisted boots, sores on the heel bulbs, fetlocks or coronary band, and changes in gait. It also advises against trimming the foot to fit the boot. Find a boot that fits the hoof.

The Horse says boots are worn for work and removed between sessions so the hoof can function naturally, and quotes a behaviorist comparing boots to shoes: she doesn't sleep in either, so why should her horse? Horse Illustrated does not give a time limit either.

That is one reason to ask before you buy. A horse that needs help only on a rocky trail is a different case from a horse with sore soles in transition, and your farrier or vet may suggest a routine that fits her. Check feet and heels after every ride for rubs, and keep boots clean and dry.

Cavallo lists its all-terrain, leather-upper and lighter styles as spare-tire boots for a lost shoe. A boot like that gets you back to the trailer. It does not replace a visit from your farrier to reset the shoe.

The catch is size. A spare is only useful if it fits the hoof the shoe came off, so measure that foot now and keep a boot of that size in the trailer, rather than working it out miles from home. If your horse keeps pulling shoes, that's a conversation to have with your farrier about the shoeing, not only about a spare.

Bring this list to your next trim or vet visit, and write the answers down. It turns a shopping decision into a plan.

• Does my horse need protection on the ground I ride on, or is she comfortable barefoot there?
• Does she need boots on the fronts only, or on all four feet?
• Is any soreness something your vet should look at first?
• Which type of boot suits her feet and my footing: everyday, padded or studded?
• When in the trim cycle should I measure, and will you check the fit?
• How long should the boots stay on, and what should I check when I take them off?