Hoof Boots.   Yeah!!!    Boooo!!!     It all depends on your experience in the past as to how you view hoof boots.   However, in just the last 2-5 years there have been wonderful advances made in hoof boots.   Both in how well they fit and how user friendly they are.  The original Easyboot was very difficult to get on well enough so that it wouldn't go flying off at the worst times.  Often, you didn't know you had lost a boot until you did a check or until the horse started limping.  Then, it was back tracking to try and find it.  I know.  I lost countless easyboots.  Now there are some incredibly wonderful products available.  I will mention just a few and tell you what my experience has been with them. EasyCare Gloves:   These are, so far, my all time favorites!   It is absolutely critical that you get the proper size.   Now this may sound like a bit of a hassle, but it really doesn't take that much time and is much simpler than finding out you have bought the wrong size and have to exchange them, etc.   You can order a "Fit Kit" from EasyCare.  This consists of 3 shells in different sizes that you can try on your horse to be sure of the size you need.  First, measure your horse after a fresh trim.   Follow the instructions from EasyCare and measure all 4 feet.  Then, determine the probable size from their chart.  Order the fit kit that contains the size you think you need.  There will be 3 different sizes in the kit, so you can try the next size also.  (For example, you think you need the 0.5 size.  You will want a kit with 0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 so you can try the size you think you need, plus the next size smaller and larger just to be sure.)  It is important that you check all feet individually.  You would be surprised to find that many horses use different sizes on each front foot and their hind feet will be smaller than their front.  Once you use the kit, you will mail it back to EasyCare in the postage paid envelope that they send to you.  (I think the total cost is $8.50 per kit.)   Now that you know your sizes, order the appropriate Gloves.  (You can locate these at lots of different vendors on the internet or order from EasyCare.)  These boots have some stretch and are meant to fit very snugly.  They are not difficult to apply, just takes a little practice to get it lined up straight and then have your horse put their weight down on the foot to get it all the way down.  They have a 'gaiter' that wraps around the horse's ankle and secures with velcro.  If the fit is snug, you will not have to worry about this boot coming off until you are ready.  They are not difficult to remove, but will not accidentally come off.  However, fit is the key.  They must be the correct size.  With some horses the boot does not appear to be stretched tight across the front.  The 'V' notch on the front should appear to be stretched apart, indicating that it is stretched tight.  If this is the case with your horse (maybe only 1 boot or maybe 2, 3 or even 4 boots), then you need to buy the "power straps" and install them.  The strap will pull the 'V' notch tight and make the boot fit better.  Once you have everything figured out, it takes only seconds to apply the boot or to remove.  No hardware...no wires, locks, snaps...etc.   Just the boot and some inconspicuous screws that attach the gaiter.  I will apply the boots and secure the gaiters, let the horse take a couple steps, then go back and re-check the straps to be sure they are not too loose.  You don't want them too tight either.  You should be able to easily get a finger between the strap and the horse's leg. * Here's a link to the manufacturer's website info.  EasyCare Glove Info.      How to use the "Fit Kit"  (See the video link on that page.)  Fit Kit Info. & Video   EasyCare Glue-Ons (which is simply the Glove shell without the gaiter attached):    My next favorite.  However, I don't glue them on for short conditioning rides!   I use athletic tape (old fashioned adhesive tape) wrapped once around the lower part of the horse's hoof.  Next, work the shell onto the hoof.  Voila!   Instant, temporary Glue-On.    This works great!    It is possible that you may loose one, but I haven't lost one yet when used on fairly flat terrain.  During an endurance ride or any long ride over rocky terrain, I would recommend using the regular Gloves just for more security.  However, for easier rides or conditioning rides, the shell and tape method is just fine.  I've used them in sand, mud and moderate rocks and they never budged.  In fact, I had to work a bit to get them off when I was finished riding.  They are a bit trickier to get on than the Gloves since you have a little more bulk with the tape wrap.  So why don't I just glue them on?   Well, I really don't want something on my horse's feet all the time.  Just when they need it.  The glue that you need to use takes some practice in learning how to do it quickly and properly.  Then, I'm just guessing that removing the glued-on boots could be a bit difficult.  Of course, there are lots of riders who do the glue-on method especially when they are doing 100 mile rides where they are riding in the dark for part of the ride and for multi-day rides and don't want to mess with applying boots every day.   I'm just so into simple, that I'm happy with tape or with gaiters.  (Of course, totally bare is the best but is not always an option for me.) UPDATE:  May, 2011.   There is a much more user-friendly glue that is now available for the glue-ons.  Thank Goodness!  Several different techniques.  These are not all shown on EasyCare's videos...at least not at this time.  However, there are some videos on YouTube as well as some articles by inventive people.  The new "glue" is marketed under the name "Goober Hoof Pack".  Originally, it was called Goober Glue.  Different name, same product.  The good news is that it sets up slowly, so you have time to get the boots put on even if you are not yet proficient in the technique.  The bad news is that it sets up slowly.  If the horse moves around a lot, the bond will not be secure.  Ugh!   So...there is a hybrid technique whereby the Goober is placed around the insides of the Glue-on shell, except for a small section at the quarters area.  After the Goober is in place, use either Vettec Adhere or Sole Guard to the quarters area and then quickly place the boot on the hoof.  The Vettec product sets up quickly...30 seconds...so no dawdling!   This will keep the boot in place securely while the Goober has time to set.  I won't go into all the details because there is a decent video showing how to do this:  Glue-on boots and Goober Hoof Pack      Another technique that I read about involves using the Gloves, using the Goober all around to glue the boot in place, then sealing the top edges of the boot with more Goober.  Leave the Gloves with gaiters in place for 12-24 hours, then take a phillips head screw driver and remove the gaiters from the boots.  The gaiters were left in place so that the boot remained stationary until the Goober set.  The gaiters can be re-installed later.  This seems easy enough, but also time consuming and you need the gaiters.  I plan to use the hybrid technique in the next few weeks and see how it goes.  UPDATE:  September, 2011.  NOW the EasyCare Gloves and Glue-Ons are available in Wide sizes.  If your horse has a round hoof rather than an oval shaped hoof, check out the Wide sizes.  They are designed for that shape of hoof.  I was able to use a 0.5Wide on my horse's front feet, when previously I had to use a size 1.  The size 1 was a tiny bit too long, but I needed it for the correct width.  She moved well in the size 1, but moves even better in the 0.5W.   EasyCare had quite a few people requesting a 'round' version and they responded.  HINTS for Gloves and Glue-Ons:    These shells come up too high in the back for a few horses.  1 of my horses is OK with 2 hooves, but the shells are a tiny bit too high on the other 2 hooves.  It is very easy to cut a bit off of the shell with a pair of scissors.  If using the gloves, you can't cut too low or you will not be able to use the back screw.  However, it may only take a tiny bit to make a difference.  You do not want that stiff shell touching the tender heel bulbs, so check that before applying the boots for a ride.  Place the Glue-On or shell on the hoof when checking for size.  Check all the way around and notice if the back comes up too high.    Also, when fitting, make sure that the foot is able to set all the way down into the shell.  The video about the Fit Kit shows you how to determine that.  Proper fit is extremely important.  Renegades:   My next favorite and the Prettiest!  They come in several gorgeous colors!  I have used these with mixed success.  They are a bit more difficult to get a good fit and to keep them on.  Putting them on and removing them are really easy.  However, the ones I used did require some adjustment and the way to make the adjustments is rather difficult (for me).  After much trial and error (and losing 4 or 5 of these boots that I could never find), I think I finally learned how to keep them on.  This basically amounted to getting the cable adjusted properly and using 2 or 3 bands around the velcro straps so that they did not accidentally pull open.  However, by that time the Gloves became available and I switched to them.  The Renegades, however, are good if you have a horse whose foot is wider than it is long.  The back of the Renegade can be cut shorter (by the manufacturer or by the user with power tools) and will then fit that rounder type of foot.  The Gloves do not have that advantage.  (Note, Gloves are now available in wide sizes for those round hooves.)  AND, of course, there are all those pretty colors available in the Renegade!  I called my Renegade boots "horse sandals" because that's what they remind me of.   You'll just have to see them to understand.  The design is really unique and makes it simple to put the boot on and to take it off.  Karen Chaton is an endurance rider who now has thousands of endurance miles on 2 different horses who wear Renegades.   So, they must be good.  I will also add that these boots are made in the USA and the developer and owner is a very helpful gentleman and is, of course, a serious rider.  I ended up sending some of my boots back to them so they could make an adjustment that I had not been able to accomplish and they were very nice and promptly returned the adjusted boots. EasyCare Epics:   These boots are an older style of easyboot with a gaiter attached.  They stay on pretty well.  I have used them for transitioning a really lame mare from metal corrective shoes to barefoot.  They are nice since you can add cushioned pad inserts to make it even easier on a sore footed horse.  Lots of people use them on horses who have laminitis, along with a correct trim.  I have used them, some, for riding, and they did stay on well.   However, they just don't compare to any of the boots above for riding.   I would recommend these boots for any horse who needs to have pads, either for pasture turnout or for riding.  If would be very difficult to use pads in the Gloves.  Cavallo:  I have not actually used these boots.  I did purchase a set, but after I got them and looked them over, I sent them back.  They are heavier and bulkier than the Gloves or the Renegades and I was concerned that they might cause irritation of the pastern.  However, I've read lots of good reviews from users, so they probably work fine.  Just a matter of preference. Old Macs:   There are 2 versions of these boots available.  The older version is a better fit for horses with rounder shaped feet.   They are pretty easy to put on and would be good for horses who are transitioning.   They would be OK for turnout or light riding.  For more serious riding, the Gloves and Renegades would be better.  EasyCare Trail:  This is the latest model from EasyCare.  They look similar to the Old Macs and are very easy to put on.  However, they are meant for riding no more than 25 miles a day.  They would be fine for those who did trail riding.   It sounds as though it would not require a lot of skill or hand strength to use them.  You still need to get the correct size, however.  The sizing is a MUST for any hoof boot.   For those who ride endurance or even Limited Distance, I would recommend either the Glove, Glue-On or Renegade. EasyCare BOAs:  These boots are an EasyCare product.  They are easy to put on and there is a dial on the front that you use to tighten up the cable.  So, that makes them easy to use.  However, I did not feel that they fit as well as even the Epics and did not stay on well when trotting over hilly/rocky terrain.  It was several years ago when I used them, but I simply would not recommend them except for maybe turnout on easy terrain. I would still prefer the Epics over the BOAs for rehab turnout.  Personally, I feel that the BOAs will soon become extinct.  Especially with the introduction of the new "Trail" boot by EasyCare.  Sounds like those would be good for casual trail riding. *OK, so here's the downside to using the Gloves or the Glue-Ons:   You need to keep the hoof trim touched up often.  I usually touch up the horses I am currently riding every 2-3 weeks.  Otherwise, they grow too much for the boot to fit on easily.  Recall that these boots fit very snug.  Just a little work with a rasp is all you need.   So, good idea to learn how to handle a rasp at the very least.  The Renegades and the Epics are more forgiving of fit.  So, those are a couple things to consider when deciding which boots to go with.  On my Links Page, you can find the websites for both EasyCare and Renegades.  (EasyCare handles all the different Easyboot products as well as the Old Macs.)  There you can learn more about each boot.