My Barefoot Horse: Boot Fit Kit

Low-cut boots are all the craze this fall.

Do you like going shoe shopping?  I know that a fair number of women do, but I am not one of them.  My reason for not liking shoe shopping is pretty simple: I have an incredibly difficult time finding shoes that fit.  There are so many styles that just will not stay on my feet, like pumps and slip-on's and flats.  That doesn't leave much except boots.  I love boots, but most boots appropriate for work have a heel and usually an excessive one.  I just cannot wear heels to work.  In fact, I almost cannot wear heels at all anymore.  I remember squeezing my feet into ridiculous-looking shoes for school dances, but my feet will not comply with that sort of thing now.  Too many years stretching those heels down, I guess.  The front of my foot aches like crazy, too, if I wear shoes with a raised heel.  The only shoes that seem to work for me are rather plain-looking leather uppers with flat soles.  Occasionally, I try to wear something cuter to work, but I always end up changing my shoes after lunch.  And, yes, I bring extra shoes to work.  I have a low tolerance for discomfort.

Since I do not have a good track record with finding shoes, I decided that I better do some homework before ordering boots for Harley.  I think that I saw his eyes glaze over the same way mine do when I am trying on the umpteenth pair.  He was patient, but shoe-shopping sure is boring, even for my horse!

Several people advised me to get a fit kit before ordering Easyboot Gloves for trail riding.  Apparently, the Glove is pretty difficult to fit correctly, because the boots are snug.  I measured Harley's feet and decided to order a wide kit, because I have a 1.5 and a 2 regular that I can borrow at the barn.  The measurements of his feet do not quite fit into any of the regular sizes, so I decided to order the size 1 wide fit kit and compare to the regular gloves in our tack room.  Just in case you are curious, you can request a fit kit from EasyCare, Inc. for the cost of shipping.  They sent me three sizes: 1.5 wide, 1 wide, and 0.5 wide.  The fit kit came with some instructions and tips for finding the right fit.  I have to return the boot shells when I am finished with them.

Regular with the gaiter and wide without in size 1.5.

 
After switching boots back and forth and taking tons of pictures.  I have reached my conclusion.

I do not like shoe shopping AND I do not like boot shopping.

And I do not know which size boots to order.

I am pretty, almost definitely, most-likely certain (Can you tell how sure I am?) that the 1.5 wide and the 0.5 wide do not fit.  I think that his foot does not fill up the front of the former and his heels are not completely in the latter, but he is spreading that "V", which apparently is a good thing.

Good "spreadage".

The size 1 wide looks promising, but the "V" does not spread that much until he moves.  The widest part of his foot is in the back half of his foot.  When he walks the "V" opens and closes like a Pac-Man.  Otherwise, I think that this boot fits well all the way around his foot and he can trot without it slipping off, even sans gaiter.

Size 1 wide

Size 1 wide

Size 1 wide

I put on the size 1.5 regulars.  He seems to fill out the boots well, but there is this weird space at the inside front of each boot.  I imagine that the powerstrap, which can be ordered for the front of the boot, could fix the gap, but I cannot help wondering if the boot is being torqued, because it just doesn't fit.  This was what motivated me to buy the wide fit kit.  I have no idea if my reasoning makes any sense, because I have never fitted these boots before.  He will walk and trot in the size 2 regular, but they have big pads and a powerstrap installed already, so I am not sure how snug the fit is.  I suspect they are too big, because they slip on really easily.  Too easily.  There must be a catch!

Size 1.5 Regular: Both boots have a funny space on the inside.

I hope these boots are made for cantering!

According to the EasyCare, Inc. website, the number one mistake that horse owners make is ordering a boot that is too large for their horse.  I do not want to make that mistake, but I also do not want to order one that is squeezing his foot in a funny way or is going to trap sand or mud in the boot.

__________________________

Guess what?  I received an email from EasyCare, Inc. while I was drafting this post.  The wide boots are intended for hooves that are wider than they are long, so Harley's feet do not match that specification.  The recommendation is to order a 1.5 regular with powerstraps.  The used 1.5's that I was borrowing for fitting purposes may have changed shape and conformed to the foot of the horse who wears them.  A new pair will probably provide a more snug fit.  The powerstrap should make sure the fit is secure.

 I just sent them an email yesterday.  What great customer service!

So there you have it folks.  I guess that I am going to order the Easyboot Glove in a size 1.5 regular.  And now I get to pick out a color for the powerstrap.  I like that part!

Can we be done now?