When you say “hoof boots” to someone in the horse industry, you’ll get varying reactions depending upon who you’re talking to. There are many types of equine footcare devices that are labeled as “boots” — but each has its own unique purpose and function.

There are three primary types of products currently labeled as hoof boots:

1. Those designed for use as an emergency “spare tire” for those times when a horse throws a shoe on a trail ride.
2. Therapeutic boots (also called medicine or soaking boots) used for medicinal or rehabilitation purposes.
3. Hoof boots designed as alternatives to horseshoes (also known as riding boots, endurance boots or even barefoot boots).

New hoof boot and equine footwear products are always hitting the market. The following information is designed to help you educate your clients on the many types of hoof boots and what each product is primarily for.

“Spare Tire” Boots

A spare tire boot is a trail riding hoof boot that’s designed to fit inside a rider’s saddle bag for use in case a horse throws a shoe while on the trail. The rider uses the spare tire boot to protect the hoof until he or she can get back to the barn to have the farrier repair the damage. The spare tire boot isn’t intended to be used for long periods of time or over extended distances.

“Every rider who is out on the trail should carry some sort of boot in their saddle bag in case the horse…