FAQ
Q: Do I need to break my horse into Scoot Boots to avoid rubbing?
A: When you first ride in your new Scoot Boots you must give your horse’s skin time to adjust to the new boots as all horses have different levels of sensitivity. As with shoes for people, you need to give your horse time to adjust to the new boots. Do not embark on a long ride - for example no more than 6 kilometres (4 miles) at a time, until you are assured the boot is not chaffing/rubbing. If there are no issues, gradually increase your distance each time you ride which will gradually condition your horse’s skin. We ask you to use common sense and treat your horse’s pasterns/lower hoof the same as you would your own hands. If you do too much hard physical work using your hands all at once you end up with blisters. Gradual physical work will eventually toughen your hands/skin eliminating future issues. Your horse’s skin is no different. We provide complimentary trail gaiters with every pair of Scoot Boots should you require them. You may also purchase our Endurance Gaiter Pack from our online store which can be used for long distance/endurance riding.
If you do not allow a 2 finger space between the pastern and the strap this will also cause rubbing. When tension is applied to the strap the heel of the boot will be continuously pulled against the side of the rear of the hoof and will cause rubbing.
Q: How durable are Scoot Boots?
A: The Scoot Boot shells and securing straps are constructed of TPU (thermo plastic urethane), which has excellent abrasion and shock absorbing qualities. There are no components that will break off from our Scoot Boots. The durability of any hoof boot will depend on the gait of your horse in the same way as the durability of a sport’s shoe. If your horse has a floating movement then the boots will last anywhere up to a couple of years with occasional riding. If your horse scuffs and twists its feet then the wear factor of our Scoot Boots is reduced. If you participate in endurance riding then you would expect to get up to 1000 kilometres (600 miles). Again, this will depend on how light your horse is on its feet.
Q: Do I require Scoot Boots on all four feet?
A: The majority of riders only use boots on the front feet as the front end of the horse bears over 60% of a horse’s bodyweight during motion. This is why the majority of lower leg injuries are sustained to a horse’s front legs. The rear legs mainly propel the horse so have significantly less direct weight bearing. However if you are endurance riding or riding over extreme surfaces and your horse’s hooves have not fully transitioned then you may require boots on all four feet.
Q: Do I need to use pads in Scoot Boots?
A: No, unless you are using boots on a sensitive hoof that has sustained an injury or is very sensitive. The sole/shell is constructed of TPU that has very high shock absorbing capabilities on its own without the need to use pads on a healthy hoof. If you do require pads, ensure they are no thicker than 6mm (3/16").
Q: Can I use studs on Scoot Boots?
A: Yes you can. There is ample room at the heels of the scoot boots to apply studs when riding on ice and other slippery terrain.
Q: Do the Scoot Boots have good drainage?
A: The Scoot Boots have excellent drainage so basically no water or debris can be retained inside the Scoot Boot.
Q: Are Scoot Boots easy to clean?
A: Scoot Boots are very easy to clean, as they are a ‘one piece’ moulding. The boots can be simply hosed clean at the end of a ride. There is no Velcro or cables to clean so it makes cleaning so easy.
Q: How often do I have to trim my horse when wearing Scoot Boots?
A: If the correct size is selected, Scoot Boots are designed to allow for growth throughout a 5 to 6 week trim cycle. The hoof growth of a horse slows dramatically over the drier and colder months so this generally means that over summer (unless you have a wet summer) and winter you will get longer riding time between trims.
Q: Is there any specific trim I require to use Scoot Boots?
A: All that is required is your horse receives a natural trim and the following specifics need to be adopted.
- The heels are kept low as a barefooted horse does not require excessive heel length
- All flare is removed from the hoof walls. A straight edge should be able to be placed from the coronet to the bottom edge of the hoof wall at ground level and no space should be visible under the straight edge
- The ‘ground bearing’ surface of the outer hoof wall should be beveled. This prevents the hoof wall from chipping and also prevents the white line stretching and ensures a neat, strong hoof.
- The toe is short and rolled to create a good break over. The roll is generally in the vicinity of 45 degrees
Q: As my horse’s hoofs grow, am I able to adjust the straps on the Scoot Boots?
A: Once the correct size is chosen the securing is all about the upper of the boot to keep it secure and not the straps. Our Scoot Boots do not move once they are on and no adjustment is required as the securing is done by the parts of the hoof that do not grow.
Q: In the event of losing a metal shoe, can Scoot Boots be used as a ‘spare tire?
A: In most cases our Scoot Boots would not be suitable because shod horses have excessive hoof left on to be able to fit the shoe correctly. Our Scoot Boots are ideally only used for the correctly trimmed hoof. Please refer to our trimming information in relation to the types of hoofs that are suitable for our Scoot Boots.
Q: Should Scoot Boots be used for rehabilitation?
A: Scoot Boots are being successfully used for some areas of rehabilitation. Scoot Boots are great for sensitive soles and can be left on longer than most boots due to their superior breatheability. This is vital to prevent build up of fungus and bacteria due to the hoof overheating and trapping moisture. Scoot Boots also relieve toe pressure which is a necessity for laminitic horses. If using pads we recommend the maximum size of pads used in Scoot Boots be no thicker than 4mm – 5mm as using thicker pads may affect the optimum fit.
Q: I’ve just removed shoes from my horse’s hooves, what do I do to transition to Boots?
A: Now that you have decided to take your horse’s shoes off for the first time and go booting, it is important to realise that there is a big difference between how your horse’s hooves are shaped now and how they have to be shaped to wear hoof boots. It is not simply a matter of removing your metal shoes and applying hoof boots. A shod hoof is far different in shape to a hoof that has been kept shoe free with regular “natural trims”. A shod hoof has a lot more toe, heel and wall than a naturally trimmed hoof, so the extra hoof must be removed before you even consider to go booting and before you measure up for boots.
Q: Are Scoot Boots suitable for Endurance Riding?
A: Scoot Boots can be used for endurance. Prior to embarking on a long ride test your Scoot Boots over short distances to ensure performance. Gradually increase your distance with each ride.
We retail two styles of Scoot Gaiter Packs which includes the following:
Endurance Gaiters provide protection for lower back of the pastern and rear coronet area.
Trail Gaiters provide protection for lower back of the pastern only. These are recommended for general trail riding.
Our Gaiter Pack is made from high quality neoprene and provides protection for sensitive skinned horses and for endurance riders travelling excessive distances.
If you know your horse has sensitive skin we advise you to slowly allow your horse to become adjusted to wearing Scoot Boots. Never ride more than 5 km at a time without checking the back of your horse’s pasterns for rubbing. Every pair of Scoot Boots come with a complimentary Trail Gaiter.
Always build up to your desired distance. As with any athlete it takes time to adjust to a new pair of running shoes.
Q: Can I do my own repairs on my Scoot Boots?
A: Every pair of Scoot Boots has replaceable spare parts and is therefore very easy to replace any lost or broken part. The only tool required is a Phillips head screw driver and a pair of pliers for replacing or tightening screws and some thread locking glue such as Loctite to apply to the screws before securing. This glue will prevent the screws from working loose. If you need to replace a front strap/hardware the Loctite may prevent the removal of the screws. If so, cut the rivet or knob hook head with a hacksaw or grinder to replace front straps/hardware.
Q: How do I fit my gaiters on my Scoot boots?
A: We have two types of gaiters, the Endurance Gaiter and the Trail Gaiter. Below are instructional videos showing how to fit your gaiters.
Q: I have heard that Scoot Boot sizes run Large. Is this correct?
A: No it is not correct. Customers who have ordered a size too big have not measured the length of the hoof from the correct position on the heels. This is why we now offer to select your correct size by way of using photos that you send to us. Please refer to the instructions on our 'Sizing' page on this web site.
Q: Can Scoot Boots be worn on horses with Feathered Hooves?
A: Certainly. The hoof boot fits on the hoof neatly under the feathers and the pastern strap secures around the pastern over the top of the feathers.
Q: I am an endurance rider, do I need to use endurance gaiters?
A: We recommend you use our glue on endurance gaiters. These gaiters protect sensitive areas of the hoof over long distances. Once glued they stay secure and provide ultimate protection. A glue recommended by Scoot Boots is Selleys Shoe Fix. This enables a minimum amount of flex under pressure and provides maximum bonding. Please see the video below which shows a gluing demonstration.