Boots for Horses for Traction in Winter Conditions

To keep your horse from slipping in the snow, you may have already considered old-fashioned methods such as greasing the inside of the hooves. A far more efficient way is to use hoof boots for added traction. Boots can also help protect weak hooves in harsh conditions. Hoof boots are available in a range of sizes and fittings and are suitable for all horses.

  1. Why Horses Slip in Snowy Conditions

    • If your horse is shod with conventional shoes, he may not be able to cope with winter conditions. Snow will ball up inside the shoe and become compacted by the horse's weight. A ball of ice can form, so that the horse is essentially walking on stilts. Not only will this cause the horse to slip, but it can also cause stretched and strained tendons.

    How Hoof Boots Help Traction

    • Hoof boots prevent the snow from balling up inside the hooves. Made of strong, flexible plastic, the boots fit over the whole foot, including the shoe, and clip tightly to the hoof. The underside of the horse's foot is then covered by a ridged surface that is too flat for the snow to ball in, allowing the horse to move more easily over a snowy surface.

    Problems with Using Hoof Boots

    • Hoof boots can be difficult to fit correctly, particularly when they are new and the fittings are still stiff. It can be time-consuming to fit a full set of boots before a ride and remove them afterward. Some brands of boots also require special fitting tools, which must be carried on the ride in case a boot is lost. Hoof boots can also rub horses' heels if worn for long periods of time; inspect these areas regularly.

    Where to Buy Hoof Boots

    • Many types of hoof boots are available. Two of the best known are Easyboots and Old Macs. Old Macs (thehorseshoof.com) were designed and developed in Australia, and are widely available in the U.S. As of the date of publication, prices ranged from $145 to $170.

      Easyboots (easycareinc.com) are a conventional horse boot that fasten with a clip on the front. As of the date of publication, prices started at $52.

      All boots come in different sizes. To fit your horse, trace his foot on a piece of cardboard, then take the widest and longest measurements.