More than 1,200 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “What are the two most important things you want in a hoof boot to replace a lost shoe or treat injury?”

• Stays on: 75.85% (914)
  
• Easy to put on: 46.64% (562)
  
• Relatively durable: 29.21% (352)
  
• Allows the hoof to breathe: 24.98% (301)
  
• Relatively inexpensive (less than $40.00/boot): 20.33% (245)
  
• Has a cushioned sole: 15.35% (185)
  
• Other: 6.22% (75)

Poll sponsored by HOOFix Emergency Trail Boot.

Readers shared what they want most in a boot in the comments below.

Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com are published in The Horse Health E-Newsletter. Published every week, this e-newsletter offers news on diseases, veterinary research, health events, and in-depth articles on common equine health conditions and what you can do to recognize, avoid, or treat them. Sign up for our e-newsletters using the form above or on our e-newsletter page.  

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• Allows debris that gets in the boot to get out
  
• does not rub horses ankle or cause damage to horse in any way
  
• largger sizes are needed to fit warmbloods and drafts
  
• Not irritable to foot
  
• Likked them when I saw them and would like to try them
  
• does not dig into the back of the heel
  
• and relatively easy to take off (by me not the horse) Easy boot is excellent
  
• I’ve used this boot for my horse. The boot consistently stays on and is very easy to put on.
  
• I have never used boots of any type. Either shoes or stall rest
  
• Sfe for the hoof
  
• They either fall off or ware out too soon
  
• It should not rub the coronary band. or heel.
  
• easyboot epics are the best
  
• It should be durable. I recently purchased some boots that were very nice. They were easy to put on
  
• must not further damage the hoof. and stays on. and is easy to get on wb hoof.
  
• I had a horse that lived in an easyboot for nine months while a huge abcess grew out-
  
• Fits well
  
• The most important thing is a boot also needs to fit properly and be comfortable for the horse.
  
• Can’t really just choose two
  
• Wonder about the rubbing factor of the straps that secure it
  
• Doesn’t cause rubs or further injury to hoof or leg by spinning or twisting
  
• must not damage the hoof or coronary band
  
• shoes? what shoes? to treat an injury I want it to be easy to put on and know it will STAY on
  
• I liked the old mac boots because the local tack repair could fix any broken straps/buckels
  
• Needs to be durable too – endurance racing, trail riding
  
• lost shoe replacement would be nice
  
• doesn’t rub coronary band or heels
  
• I want to not shoe at all, use only the boots when needed.
  
• All of the above, plus comfortable for my horse.
  
• non chafing
  
• No Velcro!
  
• I’ve moved to vettec sole pak for my hoof protection
  
• Stays on would be a given don’t you think?
  
• dont dig into the hoof and cause damage on removal
  
• is healthy and appropriatley supportive
  
• does not rub
  
• The boot should fit well and not rub the soft tissue.
  
• size specific
  
• fits well
  
• Don’t believe in shoes, horse should be natural then you don’t have to worry about a lost shoe.
  
• It must not irritate!
  
• doesn’t rub foot
  
• I use them in leiu of steel shoes.
  
• no rubs
  
• I would have checked all, but having it stay on and let the hoof breathe are critical.
  
• doesn’t allow rocks, etc., to enter boot
  
• i want a bell boot that is soft inside creates sweat for inflamation/swelling.(ringbone ect.)
  
• very durable at the toe. but they are all important to me
  
• duct tape & hoof pads, works great-cheap
  
• all of the above are important! Tough to prioritize this one.
  
• Something that can be strong enought o protect the hoof and keep it clean and dry, with soul support
  
• want inexpensive also!
  
• can be cleaned and disinfected, can be cushioned if desired (removable pads)
  
• And to make sure the hoof dosen’t chip so the showe can be replaced relatively easy.
  
• Does not harm any surrounding tissue plus easy to size
  
• I would love one that is a one size fits all easy to put on for injuries
  
• I need a boot my horse can wear 24/7 as he transitions from shoes to bare hooves.
  
• Really depends on if for long term or short term use, and type of mishap.
  
• boots need to fit properly so that they don’t do more damage than good.
  
• Hard to choose only 2!
  
• I use easyboot epics. they stay on, relatively easy to put on, and i can get parts for them.
  
• A boot that stays on and will last!
  
• all of the above seem important to me and hoof health if treating for anything
  
• Since a boot is a temporary fix, my drafts need a BIG, DURABLE boot en route to the farrier!
  
• All are important.
  
• less than 40.00 per boot and is easy to put on.
  
• I own 3 different styles and each are hard to put on, even though the advertise easiness.
  
• Horses are barefoot, coming from shoes and sometimes needs boots, til they can walk on rocks
  
• Does nfot damage the hoof or horse in any way
  
• don’t use them, my horse is gently riden on hoof-friendly surface
  
• replace shoes so the hoof can function like it should
  
• I have never used them
  
• good fit
  
• All of the above are desireable to replace styrofoam & duct tape
  
• At our barn we have a horse that had a laminitic attack who wears them for tender soles in the mud
  
• does not abrade the coronet band
  
• comfort with no chaffing are vitally important
  
• important that the boot does not rub horse’s foot anywhere
  
• does not rub and cause blisters and sores
  
• also easy to get off but not by the horse
  
• Am using barrier boots to protect rear feet w/chronic white line; they need to stay dry & clean
  
• Choosing 2 was hard, so I’ve added 2 more. I also like easy put on & stay on, very improtant!
  
• It would be nice to find a boots that stays on properly is very durable for a decent price.
  
• Days of diapers and tape should be long gone. I want one that will hold medicine and or ice.
  
• Won’t use them because of problems that can occur from wearing the boot.
  
• Correct fit is tricky and I’ve had trouble keeping emergency boots on my horse.
  
• I’ve even lost a newer Epic, that gets frustrating
  
• Been using hoof boots for front hooves since 2002 – use instead of shoes for riding.
  
• Needs to stay on, but not damage the hoof like easyboots do
  
• Fits the foot properly
  
• I would want it to fit properly & not fall off.
  
• Works with the movement of the hoof with out rubbing and stays on
  
• all of the above
  
• doesn’t allow dirt and debris into the boot, in case you are using for an abcess
  
• ALL of these
  
• one that a horse cannot rip off or chew off or pull off standing on
  
• Doesn’t rub–tried them all–they all rub–not for horses with low heels
  
• I’ve been using the Hoof Sock from Penn Equine on my foundered pony. Reusable and durable.
  
• I use boots instead of shoes, better for the horse
  
• easy to care in saddle bag
  
• some traction -not a smooth bottom
  
• I haven’t found a boot yet that my T-Bred won’t get rid of price is the 3rd most important consideration.
  
• my horse alwats gets them off
  
• i use my ole macs instead of putting shoes on my horses
  
• I’d like to see more boots being used by barefoot horses so that shoes are not needed.
  
• All of the above, and designed to fit a naturally bare foot!
  
• durable, low profile, not clunky
  
• Able to find the size for the dinner plate size hoofs of a big Belgian!
  
• Doesn’t rub
  
• I don’t use shoes on my horse. She does great “going natural.”
  
• flexible to fit mule/donkey feet??
  
• Fits the horse well enough to be comfortable and not collect mud or sand, etc.
  
• thru experience, the easier to put on the better for injuries
  
• I use the new “old mac’s” and love them.
  
• All of the above would be great. I use old mac boots and find them easy on and stay on.
  
• It must not damage the foot in any way.
  
• Well could only pick two but the other important factor is durability.
  
• Cost would also factor in my buying decision
  
• If I can’t get it on easily then I won’t use it. Might as well wait for the farrier to fix it.
  
• Fits the hoof & foot well so doesn’t rub.
  
• All of the above.
  
• Currently there are none (that I can find) that will fit a draft horse!!
  
• Size – Draft sizes are nearly impossible to find
  
• I would like to see all the listed factors in hoof boots as well as a non-chafing design.
  
• Also easy to get off
  
• Fits well; rubs and sores don’t help anything!
  
• Not injurious to hoof, hard to misapply
  
• Does not rub or put pressure anywhere on the hoof
  
• All are important. The only reason to buy one is to save the work & supplies of making my own.
  
• Forget Shoes! If we could just have easy to put on running shoe-like boots – no nails, better hoof!
  
• Easy on. Allow horse to complete what s/he was doing, protect from injury/further injury
  
• Need cushioning for my artheritic show mare’s ailing knees.
  
• easy on, stays on, and is durable all with out duct tape!
  
• Hoof Boots are more healthful. With shoes nails are used. A bad idea.
  
• I don’t think I’d ever feel the need to use a boot. I don’t shoe my horses and bandages work fine
  
• It needs to be easy to remove also.
  
• some with the nubs(?) to keep the boot on actually hurt our horse
  
• It should not cause further damage to the hoof
  
• Two items didn’t do it for me – it should be easy-on, easy-stay AND cushion the foot!
  
• i don’t treat injuries
  
• i have been using the Old Mac’s G2’s with my barefoot trim and I just love them and so does my horse
  
• Needs to fit well so it doesn’t irritate the horse
  
• Boots are also fabulous for barefoot trail riding! I use them every trail ride and love them
  
• affordable and effective!!!
  
• Preferably ALL!! LOL!!
  
• If it isn’t easy to put on, then stay on, it won’t be used at all.
  
• assistance for people who are unfamilar with boots
  
• Comfortable
  
• it needs to FIT. I have mules and most are built for HORSE feet.) mule feet are differently shaped:
  
• anatomically correct
  
• does not rub or make sores where it touches skin
  
• Has a non slip sole
  
• Doesnt chafe bulbs of heel and coronary bands
  
• Does not damage the hairline
  
• ALL THE ABOVE
  
• does this include boots worn in PLACE OF all shoeing?
  
• it has to withhold turnouts
  
• Should not rub or create more problems
  
• Boot criteria for lost shoe and treatment are different
  
• It’s tough to pick just 2. All are important.
  
• works like a bare hoof
  
• The horse has been around for almost 50 millon years. Their feet are not meant to be in a shoe.
  
• I boot for endurance and I don’t want to get off I do a boot to last.
  
• It would be hard to improve on the Old Mac G2 that I use now.
  
• does not rub anywhere and protects the foot and allows the horse to get good traction always
  
• emmulates natural foot movement. i.e. supports a breakover. Protect sore feet.
  
• doesn’t cause lameness
  
• I keep my horses barefoot and ride endurance (50-100 miles). I need a boot to last at least 250 mi
  
• fits well
  
• easy breakover style. not so bulky as most on market.
  
• Mine are barefoot, always use easy boots
  
• all of these are important when buying a boot.
  
• Can’t narrow down to two
  
• Old Mac’s G2 boots work best for me!
  
• All of the above would help
  
• good traction and fits securely without rubbing coronary band
  
• Neat looking, non irritating to the horse,
  
• Comfort for the horse