Posted by Lawrence Arata on July 25, 2001 at 23:51:33:
In Reply to: Re: Easy Boot question posted by Mandy on July 25, 2001 at 15:34:34:
: : Can Easy Boots be left on for extended periods? Someone suggested drilling a hole in the sole to stop dirt building up inside....this is for the horse in the post above entitled "Losing shoes - very frustrated" as he has gone on to lose three shoes in one week.
: : Also, my farrier says the Keratex I was using made his feet TOO hard, and that I should discontinue it's use. Anyone experienced that?
: : With his feet this torn up, I feel my only option is to put Easy Boots on for a few weeks to allow some hoof to grow :(
: I have experience very similar problems to yours with my TWH stallion. I have tried to keep a barrier boot on him while waiting for his edges to grow out, and I don't think leaving them on is a great idea in most cases. I have used Davis barrier boots, and after a few days, especially in the rainy season, they wear his heels raw. I worry about more damage, but I just decided that he would have to be barefoot for a while till those edges could accept a shoe. I think it was a good decision, and it helped me keep my farrier who was ready to disown me after coming back for one shoe every four or five days for several weeks. I am so lucky to have a shoer I can walk my horse to that I am NOT going to annoy him if I can help it. I also tip well, which helps make him more patient with my horse's problems. A year later we have lots better hoof, and the shoer is really working to help me get this horse right. If you have a problem horse, no shoer will be able to guarantee the shoes will stay on a full term, but they all seem to try to come out once or twice. I don't try to hold the shoer responsible if the problem is with the horse, I expect to pay extra, and I do it without being asked. Just my ideas on keeping quality professional folks involved and I think the longer he works on the problem, the more pride he'll have in the work and the more determined he'll be to get to the root of the problem. I don't think you can go wrong by giving the guy an extra ten or fifteen bucks if the horse demands the extra time and effort. Good luck, don't be too afraind to let those feet be unshod for a while.
boots will rub the bulbs raw if on tolong. i always recomend wraping the foot with a rag,vetwrap,ductape,all 3?
before putting the boot on. bottomline i dont recomend to keep boots on to long.
Equithane Superfast might be a better solution. its kinda like a liquid shoe that you poor on the foot to make a shoe.
Lawrence