My Horse, Meindert, Has New Boots!
There is a lot of controversy about whether to shoe a horse or not, as many of you have commented on this blog. Betsy Perreten, my stable manager, and I feel that shoes are appropriate for my Friesians because of the type of riding we do, mostly on dirt roads and trails through the woods. We also employ a knowledgeable and capable farrier, Linda Friedman, who takes great care of the horses’ hooves and fits and changes their shoes regularly. Meindert, one of my horses, hasn’t worn rear shoes in quite some time. He suffers from arthritis and has difficulty holding his rear legs up for Linda to shoe. Betsy is very in-tune with the horses and can read their moods quite well. When Meindert is feeling fine, she likes to keep him active and will take him out for short, easy rides. Recently, she got him some hoof boots for his rear feet from a company called Easy Care Inc. and from the looks of things, Meindert really loves wearing them.
1 Before measuring for the boots, Linda Friedman, my farrier, cleaned and trimmed Meindert's hooves with a rasp.
2 After trimming, she took a hoof measurement. This is the hoof width at its widest.
3 And this is the hoof length from the toe to the buttress of the heel, or the farthest weight bearing point of the heel where the hoof wall ends. Friesians have very large hooves!
4 Using these measurements, Betsy referred to Easy Care's sizing chart and ordered their largest size 10.
5 Betsy chose the Old Mac's Generation 2 boot for Meindert.
6 Betsy likes this style of boot for the Friesians because it sits low, clearing much of their feathery fetlock hair.
7 The soles have a very generous shock-absorbing tread pattern.
8 The front shield is reinforced to protect the boot from wear.
9 She also ordered a pair of snow boots for Meindert.
10 The snow boots are the same model except for the studs attached to the bottom.
11 Optional gaiters are included with each pair of boots.
12 These boots open nice and wide, making them very easy to put on the horse.
13 The top of the hoof boot has a cushioning rolled collar for comfort.
14 Since Meindert was feeling happy and energetic that day, Betsy decided to saddle him up and test out the boots.
15 The boots are well marked - right...
16 And left
17 Gelbu gave Betsy a hand by putting the boots on.
18 See how wide these boots open?
19 A pastern wrap secures the boot to the hoof using a hook and loop system.
20 The outside panels fold back into place.
21 The outside buckle is fastened for extra security.
22 Very handsome indeed!
23 Meindert was spry in his step as he followed Betsy.
24 The mounting block
25 A walk through the linden allee
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, I don't know anything about such matters (I'm learning), however I'm sure you are making the right decisions for your horses understanding the love and care you give them and all of your pets. Meindert is now the envy of the other horses as he styles and profiles in his new boots.
Very cute boots! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 6th, 2012 at 12:34 am
Very interesting!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 6th, 2012 at 1:10 am
Hello,
Lucky Meindert, I'm sure he appreciates the effort on his behalf. All of your horses are fortunate to have an owner who still wants them when they are not always so mobile, a home for life as so important.
I've ridden a Freisan only once and have to say it felt so exhilarating with their huge canter. Originally from Wales I live in Finland at the moment and last Tuesday we were riding in -20 C, committed or crazy?
I would be available at the drop of a hat id Betsy ever want so help in the stables or exercising
Terri
Posted by: Terry Ann Owen | December 6th, 2012 at 4:03 am
What a nice alternative to shoeing, Meindert looks vey handsome in his new boots!
Posted by: Cindy F | December 6th, 2012 at 7:10 am
Meindert’s boots are so nice and now he won’t feel left out when the other horses take you and Betsy for a ride. I didn’t know horses could wear boots so thanks for today’s lesson. I bet when Meindert sees Betsy coming with his boots, he’ll be all frisky like a dog gets when they see us with our car keys. He’s strutting pretty proud there in the Linden of Allee. Trish P.S. I hope you’re enjoying Miami – you might get a little rain.
Posted by: Trish | December 6th, 2012 at 8:02 am
Martha, Thank you for sharing all your pictures, they are all very nice and inspiring, everything in your farm is beautiful, and the blog of your daughter Alexis is really nice and helpful, I am also a mother.
Sincerely,
Andrea U
Posted by: Andrea | December 6th, 2012 at 8:07 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for your delightful tweets this morning! Sounds like you are feeling better and having a great time in Miami!! This 2nd blog about Meindert is certainly worth reading about just as the one on Dec, 3rd! He is one beautiful Friesian who is lucky to be taken such great care by Betsy and Linda!! I had no idea that Meinhert had arthritis in his back hooves! These fantastic boots that Betsy and Linda put on his back hooves are fabulous for him to walk so much better! I have never see those boots before and they are marvelous! These photos are wonderful and the information is great to learn about! Meinhert looks great in photos #22to25, especially with Betsy riding on him in #25!!! I love all of your animals, Martha, and you sure do take care of all of them! Sure hope you continue to have a great time in Miami! Off to see The Daily Wag about Dr. Pia's blog about "Some Woofs (and Meows) to Live By!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 6th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Good job, Betsy and what a lucky horse for sure..........
Great day to all,
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Weinmann | December 6th, 2012 at 9:46 am
Hello Martha,
I got very excited about everything. I knew nothing about those matters, I think I learned a lot of interesting things. The boots are lovely, Meindert was very fancy.
Thanks for sharing interesting matters with us.
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | December 6th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Hi Martha,
That is wonderful that the shoes will help Meindert when he is out for a walk. They are very stylish and serve a purpose as well. He looks gorgeous
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | December 6th, 2012 at 10:09 am
Amazing craftsmanship, Meindert looks quite handsome in them.
Posted by: Claudia S | December 6th, 2012 at 10:14 am
Those are awesome boots for his foot problems, even though I'm of the camp that horses need to be barefoot for a period of time during the year, particularly winter, and particularly when only riding on trails.
Posted by: cc | December 6th, 2012 at 10:31 am
I love seeing your horses. Meindert looks very handsome.
Posted by: Andrea Dean | December 6th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
How interesting! Those boots seem great to help with the impact and stress on his feet. Your series of images on the shoeing and now booting of the horses is so descriptive, it makes my horse-crazy inner little girl squeal!
Posted by: Gesci | December 6th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I've just begun reading your blog although I've been a fan for a very long time. I truly admire your talent. I am loving learning about new things through your blog. The many photos are terrific. I really enjoyed the tree specialists and now, horse boots! I know nothing about horses, but knowing your love of animals, I'm confidant you only give them the kindest and best care.
Posted by: Mary Jo McArthur | December 6th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Excellent idea, Martha. A horse with arthritis suffers tremendously on hard surfaces. Once the steed gets used to walking in the boots, it becomes an awesome way to help them. Thanks for loving horses! They are a gift of life to us all.
Posted by: Faye Higbee | December 6th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Yes boots can be very usefull for horses with tender or damaged hooves. There are boots that can have pads and even medicines in them to help tender or hooves of founder horses. Some boots are worn to protect a horse from striking their own hooves when they travel or walk out.
Posted by: Kathleen Berry | December 6th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Martha, you are such a caring person to your animals---WOW---just how nice is that to get those boots. Thank you for sharing about your pets; it's interesting and informative and heartwarming to see how well they get treated by you.
Posted by: vickie | December 6th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
My horses go barefoot but they aren't ridden hard or long. And, they are American Curly horses or, as the Lakota Sioux called them, "big red curly dogs". They are amazing horses...gentle and so curious it's difficult training them because they won't get out of my pocket -smile-.
Posted by: Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm | December 6th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Martha, horses are so much better off totally barefoot. Please check out the literature, do some research about natural hooves and natural horsekeeping. Pete Ramey and Jesse Jackson have written excellent books. All breeds can go barefoot.
I learned how to trim my own horses' hooves years ago. Once you learn how, it's no harder than filing your own fingernails. I am currently riding an off-track thoroughbred barefoot on trail rides and in lower level dressage. This horse had terrible hooves when I got him, but his hooves are amazing now after three years of being barefoot.
The Easycare website has tons of links and help. Worth checking out.
Posted by: Monica Huettl | December 6th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Love these boots. I use them on my horse as well. He does much better in them then shoes.
Posted by: Eve | December 6th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
You and your horse will be very happy with the boots. My horse Rusty wears the trail boots from Easy Care.
Posted by: Tami Blake | December 6th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Easy boots are awesome!!! Thanks for making this great choice for your horse!
Posted by: Donna | December 6th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Oh my God! Horse Boots!These are very chic and stylish.Follow Martha for new horse fashion trends
You are gorgeous Martha!
Posted by: Elif GUNES | December 6th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Do not be too afraid to let your horse go bare! I have 11 Quarter horses on my ranch. We give trail rides in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. After many years of having my horses shod we took the leap and pulled the shoes. We are on a barefoot trimming program now and the difference is amazing.
My "boys" travel many miles on rugged rocky terrain on a daily basis. Both in their work and at play their feet are as tough as nails. I do however have 2 tenderfoots so I let them wear their Easy Boots on rides but they are able to enjoy a natural hoof during their down time. Note: The two tender foots are the ones that had been shod frequently when they were young.
Posted by: Holly Henderson | December 6th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Haha, Love the mounting block! Everybody needs one of those.
Posted by: Amber | December 6th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
That's great Martha. They worked for my older mare. You might want to look into a Hoof Jack. It not only helps your horse hold its hoof up, it helps the farrier too.
Posted by: Janis Cecil | December 6th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
My horses are now all barefoot and I've been having a lot of luck with the Easyboot Gloves. It takes a bit of experimenting to get the right fit and trim in order for the boots to work properly but once that happens, it's easy.
Posted by: Barbara | December 6th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
This type of boot is wonderful when used carefully, especially with the snow boots with studs. For any horse, and particularly the older, arthritic horse, the studs can actually have too much traction and can torque on their joints. Another area of caution is to carefully watch for any rubbing. The gaiters can help greatly to prevent rubbing. Some boots offer wedges for purchase so the hoof is raised somewhat to prevent rubs (especially helpful if the horse has low heels.) The boot website has many tips on use and care and their personnel are very helpful with any questions you might have. I have my older equine on Corta-Flx pellets (glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid) which was tested by Dr. Hillary Clayton of Michigan State University and written up in The Horse Journal. I have been pleased with this product and have used it for over ten years. Perhaps Meindert would do well, also. Best wishes with his new boots
Posted by: Donna Alley | December 6th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
My Sami, now well into his thirties, has been shoeless for the past 11 years. Prone to some laminae wall separation, I bought him a pair of Easy Boots about 6 years ago. After super sneakering, he became a wonder horse with more energy than he'd had since I adopted him. We never ride without them! Martha and Betsy, they even work in the Flint Hills of Kansas' rocky terrain. I say boot up ALL your Fresians and watch them fly!
Posted by: Dodie Jacobi | December 6th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
One more idea for Meindert's arthritis: Chinese herb formulas from a company I've trusted to care for Sami into his elder years: forloveofthehorse.com. I've used their arthritis formula for my horse, dogs, (and me!) with great success. Betsy check them out!
Posted by: Dodie Jacobi | December 6th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Really enjoy the information and love the pictures! I really miss your Hallmark network show. Please come back! I do watch your cooking show on PBS. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Hope you have wonderful holidays!
Posted by: Lily Calloway | December 6th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Martha,
Thank you for this interesting post! My sister's horse has had recurrent hoof problems for the past few years. She has tried every kind of shoe, ferrier,...even a pet physic to help diagnosis the issue. I just her this link to see if your method might help!
Truly enjoy your posts- thank you!
Posted by: Alex | December 6th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
The horse I ride (for the past2years)is a 12 year old painted draft he has never had shoes. I ride him on all terrain, he never has sore feet.I also trim, and I believe all horses can go barefoot. Some horses will always need foot protection or padding because they have been shod in the past. Most horses are shod at 2 years old but the coffin bone is not fully grown until 5 to 7 years old, the shoe prevents the coffin bone from growing to it's proper size and width but it doesn't restrict the bone above it. This is what causes most of the problems.
Posted by: Don Teunissen | December 6th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Great post and nice blog. your article is very interesting and unique. Love the mounting block!
Posted by: jaym | December 7th, 2012 at 12:47 am
Hello,
I love the visor you have on your helmet in picture 8. Where can I get one? Or can Martha tell me how to make one, haha.. But really, I want one!
Your Friesian is gorgeous, my favorite breed! I also use Easyboots on my horse from time to time and really like them, too..
Posted by: Gina Rose | December 7th, 2012 at 1:51 am
now get them for the front and see the healing power of nature!
Posted by: sarah block | December 7th, 2012 at 6:11 am
I just got some Old Macs for my horse who is now barefoot and recovering from laminits, I have not tried them yet, I hope they help him. I also make beaded browbands and dog collars from empty channel browbands purchased from this website:
http://www.delfinasaddlery.com/Empty-Channel-Browbands-Halters-Dog-Collars-Belts-For-Beading-c22/
It is a lot of fun and I think it would be a great Martha Stewart equestrian project!
Posted by: Crystal | December 7th, 2012 at 10:36 am
Nice to see some high profile usage of hoof boots. Great choice! You are now in the company of all the horses in Walt Disney World, the Houston Mounted Police Force, Shania Twain, et al. I will look forward to seeing the blog when your horse is booted on all four, or when all your horses are booted. Nice evolution!
Posted by: Suzanne Warsinsky | December 7th, 2012 at 10:51 am
That horse has way too much breakover. You need to back the toe up otherwise you will eventually have too much strain on the navicular. I'm surprosed how long the toe is on Meinhardt, but this is a common neglect with most American farriers, so not that surprising I suppose.
Posted by: Heather | December 7th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Meindert is stylin' in his new boots! He's a handsome boy...
Posted by: Judy | December 7th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Martha,
Nice pics and really nice hooves! I am a barefoot trimmer and all of the Friesian horses that I trim have great, strong black hooves. Most of them trail ride without hoof boots but protection is the way to go. Your farrier does a very nice job trimming so I imagine all of your horses have strong, amazing hooves. Please consider going barefoot with hoof boots and I promise you, you will never look back!
Happy Holidays.
Posted by: Phyllis | December 9th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
thanks so much for sharing. We have Tennessee Walkers and my horse is very tender footed on gravel. My farrier measured him Friday afternoon for front boots and I'm so excited to try them. Seeing your illustrations reinforced my decision to order!
Posted by: Jeanna | December 9th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
I liked reading this article. I don't have horses (although my husband would love one some day!) I do love reading how folks care for all their animals, and it's interesting to see all the gear out there. Who'd have thought horses could wear such stylish boots?
Posted by: Lisa | December 10th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
What a handsome horse.
Posted by: sondra | December 10th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
I found this article very interesting and informative. I've often wondered about the native Americans and how the horses all survived without being shod and when did having a horse shoed became the norm?? It looks like a very great invention. I wondered if you leave them on all the time or take them off at night so their feet can "breathe"? Thanks again.
Posted by: Mary Tilelli Redfield | December 11th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Hi, Martha,
How interesting! I haven't been around horses for years now, but was fascinated with the new technology. Well, it stands to reason, we all feel better when we're wearing supportive footwear! I was wondering, if a horse has a bit of height added to one end and not the other, how does that effect his/her back?
Thanks!
Posted by: Bobbie | December 11th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Hi, Martha! Big fan here....I have never heard of boots for horses! Now I think every horse should have some! I'm fascinated to learn what I just saw! Meindert is beautiful! His hair looks like mine too! Oh, and thank goodness for people like Betsy!
Posted by: Lisa Kay Garza | December 11th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Oh the shoeing controversy. So much has already been said, right? Sounds like you weighed the pros and cons and made the best decision for Meindert. What sold me on barefoot was the frog growing out enough that it actually concusses and increases blood flow to the surrounding joints, creating better hoof growth, easing joints, etc. But, I have used those boots before, too! They are excellent, excellent, excellent. I'm sure he's enjoying them.
Posted by: WJYD | December 17th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Wondering if your Friesians are German or Dutch bred? Are you a menber of FHANNA or FPZV?
Mauch Friesians
Posted by: Steve Mauch | January 2nd, 2013 at 3:51 pm
Hi Martha,
Congratulations! I have had horses for most of my life - some barefoot and some shod - but in 2006, discovered through some of the hoof boot companies that there was an entire 'movement' surround natural hoof care for horses to have tough sturdy hooves just like the beautiful, polished feet of the Great Basin mustangs (they look like they have been through a rock tumbler!) If you would like to know more about this, I work with the man who did many years of research on the Great Basin horses back in the 1980s and is credited as being the 'pioneer' of the modern barefoot movement. Just the bottom of the hoof in the photo above indicates your horse could be on a more natural diet in order to be healthier - and have less sensitive feet. All the best, Jill Willis (We are on Facebook at AANHCP; at Paddock Paradise; at The Natural Trim: Principles and Practice; and, our training program, at ISNHCP. )
Posted by: Jill Willis | January 2nd, 2013 at 8:01 pm
I am very happy to read the comments here supporting keeping horses barefoot. When I took my horse's shoes off twelve years ago, I was a lone ranger! All three of mine are barefoot and I use boots when necessary when trail riding. Shoes are actually a determent to their health! I also want to second the recommendation of For Love of the Horse Chinese herb formulas. I have used many of them for laminitis to arthritis to allergies, always with profound, amazing results. Of all the supplements, etc., I've given my horses through the years, these herbs are the most effective products I've ever seen.
Posted by: Suzanne Warren | January 2nd, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Meindert will do very well in boots on his front hooves! Make sure his toes are backed up to the white line and his heels are trimmed to the live sole plane. Many times the toes are too long causing leverage and pain. Also, a low starch, low sugar, high fiber diet will help with hoof pain. There is a ton of information on Pete Ramey's website. http://www.hoofrehab.com Also, Dr. Robert Bowker is involved in natural hoof care research and his information is enlightening. I have a competitive cutting horse barn and everyone of our horses is barefoot. Also the entire Houston Police Dept. mounted patrol force is barefoot. Some are booted. Ask those guys who ride those horses. They would never shoe a horse again. The horses are the healthiest and the soundest that they have ever been since going barefoot!
Posted by: Lynn Swearingen | January 2nd, 2013 at 10:41 pm