Pros and cons of Easyboots?

[Em 1]

I tried hacking my boy out over stoney tracks last weekend for the first time since going barefoot. He was very good but showed some discomfort when it was very uneven so I want to try some boots on the front only. The local tack shop sells Easyboots and they look like they would be a suitable shape for his feet but does anyone have any personal experience of them?

Many thanks:)

[Yann]

Which Easyboots are they? I've got Bares and Grips, although my Bares are effectively the same as Epics as they have a cable and clip fastening rather than the bungee thing. I did try the Bares as Bares originally and couldn't get them to stay on, but they do work well if your horse's feet are the right shape.

Apart from the lack of grip on mud and wet grass (other than the Grips obviously) they're really good boots if your horse's hoof shape suits them and you're mostly riding on tracks and roads. They're quick and easy to get on and off once you have the knack, and easy to look after. You can customise them and all the parts are replaceable, I've fitted my Grips with the newer type of fastening which works really well and isn't hard to do.

Don't bother with them if they're the original Easyboots without gaiters, the gaiter makes all the difference on most horses. Beware of the metal cleats in the older models, they're a seriously bad idea and you should either flatten them with a hammer or replace the backstrap with one that doesn't have the teeth on it.

If they suit the horse's foot shape then you can happily work at any pace in them pretty much trouble free. The gaiters can get tired though and if the fit is a bit marginal losing a boot can mean destroying a gaiter, which at £17 a throw isn't cheap. I think they're bringing a new and improved one out soon though.

[lachlanandmarcu]

Have only used Boa boots which are fantastic and have a dial tightener which is much easier than anything else I tried.....

[H & Bailey]

I have old macs for bailey which i managed to get off ebay, i woulkd definately get him another pair when theses wear out.i did look at the easi boots but wasnt sure if they would stay on? especially if you are going through deep mud..they would be easier to put on and off than the old macs which can be fiddley especially if horse is being a pain in the bum!