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In order to determine the proper boots size, we need two hoof measurements, Length and Width.
"Length" is defined as: The distance measured from the toe to a line drawn between both heel buttresses at their rearmost
point of weight bearing. This line correlates with the dashed line in the photo above.
"Width" is defined as: The distance measured at the widest point of the hoof as measured across the hoof.
The width measurement is pretty easy to understand and easy to determine, but the Length measurement
can be somewhat confusing.
You might be asking "Where exactly is the rearmost point of weight bearing?"
Imagine for a moment that you painted the bottom of your horses hoof and then walked him
across a smooth hard surface while the paint was still wet.
Looking at the hoof prints he left behind, the rearmost point of weight bearing
would correspond with the rearmost point of the hoof print, not counting any print left by the frog.
I'm not recommending that you measure the hooves in this manner, but this example may help you
visualize the location of the "rear most point of weight bearing".
Boot Size, Measurement Chart:
Size 00: length 4 3/4", width at widest point 4 3/16". Metric: length 120.5 mm, width 106.5 mm
Size 0: length 5", width at widest point 4 9/16". Metric: length 127 mm, width 116 mm
Size 1: length 5 1/4", width at widest point 4 3/4". Metric: length 134 mm, width 121 mm
Size 2: length 5 1/2", width at widest point 5". Metric: length 140 mm, width 127 mm
In most all cases, boot width will dominate which size is best for your horses hooves. Obviously,
If the hoof in question is wider than what is shown for a given boot size, you will need the next size
up boot.
In the case of a hoof fitting the width of the boot but the length of the boot is longer
than the length of the hoof,
we can cut down the back of the boot by up to 3/8".
This modification is most important when the boot
is used with horses that are known to strike the back of their front hoof with a hind hoof, or are known to knock off boots or shoes.
Mysterious boot retention problems on front hooves are often caused by this sometimes hard to detect interference
problem.
Also consider the height of the heels for the horse in question. The boot was designed
primarily for low heels and short toes but will also work for medium height heels. Horses with high
heels my have problems using the boot and in most cases will also need over length cables. For these horses
it is suggested that the high heels be addressed through natural hoof care methods as a precursor to fitting
the boots.
Horses with "high heels" or "run-under heels", may exhibit a shorter length measurement from the toe to the rearmost
point of weight bearing than if the same hoof had heels
in a lower configuration. So, if your goal is to lower the heels in the coming months while using the boot,
you will need to consider this when determining boot length.
If the hoof in question is just a "little bit bigger" than a given boot size, especially when talking
about width, in most all cases it is best to go up to the next boot size versus squeezing the hoof into an
"almost fit" size boot. If you encounter boot twisting problems, the back of the boot can be fitted with
Vettec Equithane or similar material. Go to this page for more information about
Boot Fitting Modifications
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