Best boots for going barefoot? Marquis, old macs...

[Laura+Phantom]

I'm done with shoes, they cost me £50 every couple of months and my ponies hardly go on the roads, (especially Cassie) and Phantoms front feet are terrible, every time he's due for re-shoeing his feet are splitting around the bottom and chunks are coming off.

So i'm going to have the shoes pulled and just use boots when needed, ie hacking. What boots are the best though? I really like the marquis supergrip boots as they have all replacable parts and the old macs look a bit chunky, but what does everyone recommend?

They all seem expensive but if C and P can share a set and they last for ages it's saving me money! Plus nice healthy feet :)

[No_Angel]

ive only tried equiboots, easyboots and marquis boots, marquis are by far the best.
I bought the, because of the air chamber and the replaceable parts, ive done about 25 miles in them so far and they have been fine:)

[MelanieD]

I like old macs or G2s depending on the shape of the feet, old macs G2s are far nicer than the originals so those would be my first choice as long as the feet are the right shape.

[Yann]

I've tried Boas, Bares and G2's and the G2's win hands down in every respect, ease of application, grip and stability (ie not breaking or coming off). That's with a horse who's 1 size wider than she is long. They may look a bit clumpy but don't be deceived by appearances, and if you have any mud or wet grass to contend with out hacking they're far safer than the others.

[LMS]

I asked a co worker of mine this same question a year ago and she replied that her sister-in-law is really pleased with the old mac boot.

I'm sure they're come up with lighter versions by now, you may want to check it out on line. I ended not getting any because I thought I'd wait & see if I would be riding my mare regularly enough to invest in them.

[Guest]

Wooohooo another one joins the club....

I have the Old Mac G2's and as of yet have found them fab, have done a 12 mile fun ride in them with lots of galloping, expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

[Karie]

I just bought some Old Mac G2 boots. I cant wait to get them. I bought them because my horses hooves are very weak, and because she is showing early signs of artharitis (old macs help prevent it). I have not been able to ride her in months because of her brittle hooves, and i hate shoes (or atleast the way they are put on where i live), plus its really hard to find a good ferrier here and those that i can find suck. This one guy put shoes on a horse whoes hoove was like a foot long, when i saw that i was like "No way!". Also, there is only one kind of shoe available here, so if i need something thats shock obesorbent, i would have to order from the states, so i desided to just use boots.

[Laura+Phantom]

Wow, lots of fans of the Old Mac G2's! I don't think i'm aware of them so i'll check them out now!

[Laura+Phantom]

Does anyone know how long Old Macs will last if used for say, a few hacks a week? I know the Marquis have replaceable soles so i'm just trying to work out what would last the longest as well as fitting best.

[Bebe]

I know that some endurance riders use Old Macs and they last for ages with them. I used a pair almost daily the first winter my mare had her shoes off and after 3-4 months use they still looked like new after a wash. From what I gather you can expect 3-6 months use easily, if not more.

I'd also recommend Old Mac G2s, so far they're the only boots that have stayed on my mare in all paces and they provide far superior grip to any I've tried. I trotted downhill on wet grass in them yesterday without a problem, not something I'd even attempt to do in other boots.

I've tried Marquis, Boa, the original Old Macs and easy boots. The G2s win hands down for ease of putting on, grip, how well they stay on and how my mare is going in them.

[Santi]

I can second the old macs, they fit alot better than they look and are very light and flexible - no hard bits, i've been using a pair on the fronts 3 times a week for 6 months and the toes are looking a bit worn so i'm going to use them on his back feet now! (Bit like car tyres!)

Boas are very deep and very heavy and (IMO) no good for riding, the EPs reacon they bruise the front of the feet because that dial is solid plastic and has no padding behind it. They don't fit either of mine for riding but i use them (Boas) for hand walking with solemate pads inside (to grow new frogs and condition the soles).

I've not tried the Marquis boot.

Both of mine have transitioned with the Old macs and been instantly happy wearing them, no more ouchy bits on the roads!

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks, that's it then, G2's for me! Hopefully Phantom and Cassie can share a set, they have similar size feet and I only ride one at a time! I'll measure them tomorrrow.

www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk sell 2 pairs of £200 so i'll probably get them from there. Cassie has fantastic feet but Phantom's are brittle and crumbling now, i'm hoping this will help both of them to have healthier feet.