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Discussion on Horse boots vs traditional shoes?
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Member:
Shylow
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Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 2:56 pm:
I have a 23 year old Morgan mare that has never been shod. I have ridden mostly in the pasture and haven't felt the need to shoe her. Plus I have heard some bad things about contracted hooves caused by shoeing. I also hadn't ridden her much in the last five years, but recently I moved her to a stable and have been riding her 3 to 4 times a week.
This past weekend I took a camping trip with people from the barn that I am now boarding at. I wasn't going to take my horse because I didn't think she was ready to be on the trails, but I took a short ride with some friends and she behaved well, so I decided to take her atthe last minute.
The ground was very rocky and hard on her. She started limping on her back left hoof. The people I was riding with said she had a low heel there. I got off and some of my group went back for a trailer to get her. I don't think she was really hurt, but didn't want to push it.
My question is, what are the benefits of both types of horse shoes(Boots like Old Macs and metal shoes)? I would appreciate hearing about anyone's experiences with these items.
Thanks,
Janet
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 3:43 pm:
i have had great experience with old macs as long as they fit well and you keep them very clean. Wash after each ride. They seem to fit horses better that have wide feet. If your horse has been barefoot all this time then they should fit her wonderfully. As most barefoot horses have wider hoofs.
Good luck
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 5:00 pm:
I have an Old Macs "advisor" coming over Thursday to trim and fit my horse for Old Macs. He has very wide feet for a small horse having never been shod. Your horse should be freshly trimmed before sizing otherwise they will be too big once you do get her trimmed.
I'm looking forward to getting him all booted up. Some people just shoe or boot the fronts and leave the hinds alone but my horse (and probably yours) has low soles and is ouchy on rocky places as well.
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Member:
Shylow
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 22, 2004 - 2:46 pm:
Thanks for your feedback.
If you fit the Old Macs to the hoof after trimming, will they get too tight before the next one? I was thinking about measuring before the trim and after the trim and choosing something in-between.
Thanks again,
Janet
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 22, 2004 - 4:17 pm:
I think there's enough room to allow for some hoof growth. You should check out their website, they have a lot of FAQ's and might address that issue.
www.oldmacs.com
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 22, 2004 - 7:03 pm:
Use the hoof measurements after trimming. They will fit for about 8 weeks after first trim with regular hoof growth.
Katrina
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 10:07 am:
Hi All,
I just got back from using the Old Macs for the first time and just love them! I rode out on a 6 hour ride this weekend and the boots stayed on the entire time through all kinds of terrain. We covered sandy trails to rocky mountainsides to river crossings to mud bogs and there were no problems whatsoever. Dakota seemed like he was having a good time as well. In the past he was a bit balky and at first I thought it was just him being a butt but soon realized his feet hurt. With the boots he found he was comfortable and had better traction. Even though he was barefoot behind, the trim he got smoothed and beveled the edges so there were no chips at all afterwards.
I'm sold on these boots. Even my skeptical husband was impressed.
That's the great thing about this site. You hear about so many different products that make a big difference to you and your horse. The more I learn about horses, the more I realize I don't know.
Holly
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 1:14 pm:
Hi Holly-
Did you ride in any sand? If so, was there a problem with sand getting in around the top of the boots and causing irritation? How hard were they to take on and off? (I've used easy boots before, but have wondered about the Old Macs and have been following this discussion.)
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Member:
Shylow
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 4:16 pm:
Holly,
You had a Old Macs advisor go to your house. Is it different when you order through their web site? According to that, there is no advisor that is in my area.
Thanks for the added information.
Janet
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Member:
Shylow
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 4:27 pm:
Holly,
Also, did the advisor give your horse a special type of trim. I use the barn's ferrier and I'm not sure what he would say if I needed him to trim her differently.
Thanks again,
Janet
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 5:41 pm:
Hi I just wanted to let you know I have been using old macs for about 2 years now. Totally love them. I rode in mud ,sand, rocks , rivers you name it. No rubs what so ever. However you must scrub them totaly clean after every ride and buckle them up so they keep good shape and the velcros stay good. Oil the metal tabs a little so they dont rust from washing. I still have the same pair. I only used them on the front. Unfortunatly I just moved to a new barn in the mountains where rocks are extreme. So my farrier and barn begged me to shoe his front. I did. I wish I did not have too. I love barefoot. If I ever move I am going back to it in a heart beat.
No different or special trimming needed. Just a barefoot trim. They are super easy to put on and off. No muscles needed.
Good luck
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 5:36 pm:
Well since Katrina answered all your questions, I guess I don't need to.
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 5:42 pm:
Katrina, what do you use to clean them? I just used a scrub brush and water.
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 9:50 pm:
Holly scrub brush and water is fine .if they were really muddy and the mud dried before I had a chance to hose them I would use dish detergent in a bucket of water, soak then scrub then rinse. You could really use anything. Just keep them all buckled, thats the most important thing. When I first got them I rinsed and left them unbuckled. They fell off, because the shape was not quiet correct They really need to dry all buckled up. Then spray the tabs with cooking spray , however any oil should work to prevent rust.
They are wonderful arnt they. I am glad to hear you are doing the barefoot Holly. Wish I still was, I hate the fact that my horses feet stink when I clean them now because the shoes hold the dirt. When barefoot the hoofs clean them selfs most of the time. Silly of me I know. At least his back feet are barefoot.
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 10:03 am:
I was so impressed with the way they stayed on and didn't cause any irritation. I was a little worried about that because I didn't give him a lot of time to get used to wearing them but being a tough little dude, he was fine. He tripped over them a couple of times but I could really feel him gripping when his hind feet slipped on a rock. His whole attitude improved immensely during the ride and he really seemed to be enjoying himself.
If you use the boots on his front feet, why did your farrier and barn manager beg you to put on shoes? Was it for protection for the times you weren't riding?
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004 - 10:42 am:
Hi Holly,
Yes I moved him to a place on the side of the mountains. Its all rocks. so they wanted him to have protection while in the fields as the fields are also very rocky. Its ok . I am getting used to the idea. At least I have the boots incase a shoe falls off.
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Member:
Gailking
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Posted on Friday, Jul 30, 2004 - 6:06 pm:
I have had a problem with sand/decomposed granite getting into the Old Macs and causing irritation when used in an arena setting Sara. My right Old Mac also causes a rub on the back of the pastern during trail rides which I protect now with a vet wrap band aid before we ride out. My horse's heels are somewhat low, although getting better since he is barefoot. I use the Old Macs sparingly as it takes me about 15 minutes to get them on and tightened just perfectly. They do help in really rocky situations though. I have never had a problem with them not staying on, but I only use them about once every other month and only on the front feet. Hope this info helps. Gail
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Member:
Shylow
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 31, 2004 - 2:50 pm:
One more question,
I looked on the Old Macs web site and didn't see a place to ask them questions. My horse was pasture foundered about 10 years ago. Her feet aren't badly effected by it, but Would her hooves grow faster than a horse that hasn't had this problem?
Thanks again,
Janet
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Monday, Aug 2, 2004 - 5:27 pm:
Janet, you can contact them to add a question at the following site:
https://www.oldmacs.com/FAQs/Default.asp
I did see a little irritation behind the pastern when I rode yesterday. We had gone through some deep wet sand a couple of times and it got trapped behind the strap and right at the cuff. How do you apply the vet wrap so it doesn't slide down? I always have trouble keeping it in place in certain areas.
I must say though that Joy diswashing liquid really cleaned them up nice and they have a lovely lemon scent to them now.  .
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