Medical Hoof Boot

Woof Wear

The woof Wear Medical Hoof Boot is a unique close fitting hoof boot designed to keep wounds, poultices and dressings clean. This durable boot is suitable for stable and turnout use enabling your horse to enjoy some freedom instead of being kept in his stable.

A unique close fitting hoof boot designed to keep wounds, poultices and dressings clean. This boot is suitable for use in the stable and can be used on sensible horses in the paddock. The boot is designed using flexible and light materials to enable easy fitting and as a cost effective alternative to adhesive bandage and tape. Bearing this in mind exuberant horses and those having undertaken a period of box rest may damage the boot by standing on it or doing racing stops. In these situations you may wish to consider placing an overreach boot on top of the medical hoof boot or using a more traditional poultice for the first day turned out.

Woof Wear expect the boot to last 2-3 weeks under normal circumstances with many customers finding they last much longer. The boot is not indestructible and so is not guaranteed against breakage, due to the horse standing on the boot. 

Featuring a grooved sole for extra grip and a Kevlar® interior for durability it also has an asymmetric zip to give the boot a really close fit (and prevent it opening) stopping bedding and other debris from getting inside.

Available in 10 different sizes, (please click on the fitting and sizing tabs above for more details) the boot is designed for use with or without a shoe. It can assist in a number of ailments to the foot such as abscesses, punctured sole or bruised sole.

To get the best out of your Medical Hoof Boot:

1. Overreaching
   Do not use the Medical Hoof Boot (MHB) in place of an overreach boot to prevent shoe loss. The MHB is not designed for this application and will not protect against overreaching.
   We recommend always using a generous sized overreach boot over the top of MHB to protect it should your horse stand on himself or overreach. We recommend this on both front and hind hooves
2. Measure, Measure, Measure…
   The MHB is designed to be a snug fit so it doesn’t fall off. If you do not measure accurately or buy a size too big it can result in damage to the MHB due to the boot being trodden on by the other foot. 
   Measuring Rules: 
   i) Measure width carefully before bandaging, with or without shoe 
   ii) Choose size per guide (don’t go to next size up) 
   iii) No need to add extra for dressings

The boot is machine washable at 30 degrees.

• Close fitting medical hoof boot
• Keeps wounds, poultices and dressings clean
• Reduces the amount of bandage needed
• Can be used for stable or turnout
• Durable - suitable for repeated use
• Grooved sole for improved grip
• Kevlar® interior for durability
• Asymmetric zip to prevent the zip opening
• Machine washable
• Not suitable for riding

Fitting

The Woof Wear Medical Hoof boot has been designed to fit closely around the hoof and be a stretch fit around the pastern. If this is achieved, the boot will not fall off and is less likely to be trodden on with the other foot. 

Use the size guide (click 'Sizing' on the tabs above) to ensure you have the closest fit for your horse or pony. In some cases the measurements of your horse’s foot may fall across two sizes on the guide. If this is the case, go by the width measurement first as this will ensure the boot is not too wide on the foot which puts it at risk of being trodden on by the opposite foot.

Note – the size guide is based on an unshod hoof, if you wish to use the boot with a shoe fitted you may need a larger size.

1. If your horse requires a poultice, put it on the affected area in the normal way and secure it in place with some adhesive bandage. You will not need to use additional materials to keep it in the place as the hoof boot will do this.
2. Undo the zip fully and open the boot up as much as possible. 
3. Lift up the horse’s foot and pull the boot up and over the front of the hoof. Use the ‘V’ shaped indent (in the moulded part of the boot at the front) as a guide to where the middle of the boot is. 
4. Once you have pulled the boot onto the foot, let the horse put his foot down as this will help push the foot further into the boot.  
5. Ensure the boot is fitted centrally on the foot – you may find it easier to pick the foot back up and check that the moulded sole is straight and not crooked. If it appears crooked undo the zip, pick up the foot and gently swivel the boot around the foot until you are satisfied it is straight. The ‘V’ indent will help guide you with this.
6. Check that the edge of the foot reaches the side of the boot and the bulbs of the heels are also encased within the moulded area, and not overhanging it. 
7. When happy with the fit, pull the zip up ensuring it is covered by the neoprene zip cover
8. The stretch neoprene upper should fit snugly around the pastern area to ensure no bedding or mud etc can get inside the boot. If the upper is too tight, it is unlikely you will be able to do the zip up fully and this will be an indication that you have the incorrect size.
9. If turning the horse out, ensure he is happy with the feel of the boot first. In the unlikely event the horse is nervous of the boot, walk him gently around his stable so that he can get used to it. They will soon realise it is comfortable and will not impede movement.

Hints and tips for fitting