How Hoof Boots Impact a Horse’s Walk

Hoof boots, popular among trail riders, provide barefoot horses with hoof protection and traction. These boots also help cushion and protect the sole when used on horses with hoof wall defects, signs of foot pain, or solar puncture wounds.

Some researchers believed hoof boots could also change the locomotor forces applied to the foot, potentially offering therapeutic benefits. So, Santiago D. Gutierrez-Nibeyro, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, and colleagues recently c