Question 1

Where can I buy Flex Hoof Boots?

Accepted Answer

We have approved retailers in countries around the world, please see the complete list here.   If your country isn't listed, we recommend you contact the retailer nearest to you and ask if they ship internationally.

Question 2

Why should I trim my horse's hooves every couple of weeks?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need to, if the hooves stay in shape. If your horse has ideal living conditions and wears its hooves at the same rate they grow, consider yourself lucky! But if the hoof grows out of its natural anatomic shape and balance, the brake over point moves forward. If that's the case then you do need to keep the hooves in shape by more frequent trimming.    
We are taught that hooves are supposed to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. This is far too long and the hooves can grow too much during the trim cycle. The guideline is that every time you see excess growth, you trim. So every time you pick the hooves, check if there is need for a small trim. 
You don’t have to trim more than your horse’s anatomy requires. This is very important to understand and you should learn to do the maintenance trim yourself, for the benefit for your horse. Ask your farrier, barefoot trimmer or equine podiatrist to show you how to do a maintenance trim on your horse between their visits.

Question 3

How long do Flex Hoof Boots last?

Accepted Answer

This depends on many things; how the horse moves (uses his body), how fast the horse travels, how often the boots are used, on what kind of terrain they are used, whether the owner is doing a weekly maintenance trim, and so on. Extreme disciplines cause boots to wear out faster than boots in recreational use, just like a marathon runner wears out their running shoes faster than someone who runs just for fun. Flex hoof boots are very durable when you offer the horse a trim based on anatomy, and when his body is balanced; our clients have reported using them from anywhere between 500-2000 km or 300-1200 miles. Considering that an average hack is 2-3 miles long, that's at least a hundred rides or more! It's worth emphasising though, that because Flex boots are soft boots, we can’t guarantee that they will last a minimum distance or number of riders on your horse. It all depends on conditions, use and care of the horse and its hooves. You can read more about this in our fitting guide.

Question 4

Can I use Flex Boots on rocky terrain?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, and your horse will love them. Because of the design, material and structure of the sole, Flex Boots offer very good shock absorption. And if the horse is sore, you can add Flex Pads into the boots to make your horse even more comfortable. Our boots are as soft as they are for a reason: we want the horse’s soles to function in the boots as naturally as possible. Flex Boots offers maximum protection without making the hoof numb.

Question 5

Are Flex Boots slippery?

Accepted Answer

No, they are not. Flex Hoof Boots have a great grip because of the material and structure of the sole.

Question 6

How much do Flex boots cost?

Accepted Answer

Around 84€ as of February 2020. You can find more accurate pricing from your nearest retailer.

Question 7

Can you add studs to the boots?

Accepted Answer

Boots are sold without studs, but you can buy the studs separately. They are great for icy conditions, or if you need some extra grip for example of grass surfaces. All our boots come with pre-made holes that make adding studs easy. See our YouTube channel for instructions of how to add studs.

Question 8

Are there problems with snow compaction when using Flex boots?

Accepted Answer

No. Due to the shape of the outside sole, there is no space where snow could collect and get compacted. Also, the studs are so small that they don’t collect snow like metal shoes with big studs do. Snow will not enter the boots from the back also, if the boot is the correct size, is correct size, is correctly adjusted, and the neoprene gaiter is the right size (not too small), which means the gaier hugs the pastern closely all the way around the leg.

Question 9

Will Flex Boots rub?

Accepted Answer

We have not discovered any rubbing whatsoever with correctly fitted boots. Flex Boots are very soft and the durable, soft neoprene gaiters make the boots very comfortable for the horse to wear. The gaiters are also changeable, and when the boots are fitted and adjusted properly, they fit the hooves snugly without any rubbing.

Question 10

Why is it necessary to tighten the straps after a few steps?

Accepted Answer

After a few steps with the boots on, you might discover that the straps are too loose. This is because the horse’s toe has moved forward in the boot and is now in the correct position. To adjust the fit, you need to tighten the straps by one or two holes but make sure that after adjusting you can still comfortably insert two fingers under the pastern strap, and one finger snugly under the back strap. If you see that the pastern strap holes are stretched over the rivets, then the strap is too tight and you need to loosen it by one hole.

Question 11

When should I use the higher or lower back strap settings?

Accepted Answer

Start with the higher setting, which is the initial setting and the one that works best for most horses. However, if the boot is slightly loose, or the horse has very slim legs, you may want to try the lower setting.

Question 12

I discovered that during a ride, the back strap had opened. Why did this happen?"

Accepted Answer

If the end of the strap is too long, then it may open more easily. After adjusting the strap, it’s recommended that you cut the extra length off to be sure that the strap will remain closed. Only one extra hole is needed past the strap closure.

Question 13

Can Flex Boots be used in 24/7 turnout?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use them 24/7, but you need to be aware that every horse acts differently when turned out. Some are calm, some tend to run around a lot, and so forth. So if your horse has a habit of running around, they spook easily, or have a tendency to over reach, then we recommend using bell boots to protect the Flex Hoof Boots. 
We often use Flex Hoof Boots when turning out our horses if the ground is frozen during cold temperatures in the winter, or hard from dry weather in the summer. One of our horses wore the boots continuously for over three weeks at a time, and during this time we only took the boots off for daily grooming and to change the gaiters for clean ones when it was necessary. Even with such extensive wear, we didn’t see any rubbing or discomfort, and the boots lasted beautifully. That being said, some horses break their boots almost immediately when you let them loose, regardless of what brand of hoof boots they wear.

Question 14

Does Flex Boots stay on through mud?

Accepted Answer

Flex Boots stay on very well through mud; when the boot is the right size, the hoof is well trimmed and the boot is correctly adjusted.

Question 15

How long does the Flex pad EVA last when used 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Like with everything, it depends on the horse. For example, one of our own horse’s feet are unbalanced, and he bears more weight on the lateral heels on his fronts. Because of this, the pads showing signs of wear in that part of the hooves in a few days, but we can still wear the same pads continuously for well over three weeks. In his hinds, which are balanced, the pads last at least three times longer.    Understandably, softer material (Flex Hoof Boot) against hard material (your horse’s hoof) will wear out quicker. But the harder the material (as is the case with some other hoof boots on the market), the less comfort and shock absorption you get. So we have decided on a level of softness in our boots that offers an ideal combination of hard wearing boots and comfort for the horse. Flex pad kevlar is a great option for horses with unbalanced weight bearing.

Question 16

What warranty do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 90-day warranty from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship for the products we manufacture. Normal or excessive wear of the product is not covered by the warranty. Excessive wear on one part of the boot is normally caused by an imbalance in the horse’s body or hooves, so keep this in mind when you start using Flex Boots. For example, if a horse wears the toe of the boots faster than other parts of it, this is usually due to issues with the horse’s neck/shoulders or pelvic/hind knee area, or the lack of proper trim. Just one centimetre of excess hoof wall length on toe area can cause excessive wear of the soft barefoot boots. Therefore, a weekly maintenance trim is important for making your Flex Boots last as long as possible. The warranty does not cover a product that has been damaged as a result of misuse or intentional damage, such as when a horse steps over the boots and the boots get damaged, rivets become loose, the gaiter’s rubber band breaks, marks that have been caused by ice or grass studs, or the horse has otherwise damaged the boots, or the user instructions are not followed when using the boots. The warranty does not cover the breakage of the boots caused by hooves that have not been trimmed correctly, or that are not trimmed often enough. If your horse has a tendency to over-reach, you may want to use bell boots over the boots to protect the boots from potential damage. We do not guarantee any fitting service conducted by any third party. If you are requesting for boots to be replaced under the warranty, please contact your dealer and send them the following: Photos of the damaged product Photos of your horse’s hooves, taken before and after the trim. You need to send photos of the sole view and side view of all the hooves that had boots on. Side view photo of your horse. Photo or a copy of your purchase receipt.

Question 17

Can I modify Flex Boots with heat at all, or is that definitely a big no-no?"

Accepted Answer

We know that some people do use heat to shape Flex Boots, but our concern is that people will do that in order to try to get away from trimming the hooves properly, and in the process damage the boots. Our recommendation for anyone considering Flex Boots for their horse, is to contact our helpdesk first if you have any concerns about whether the boots will fit your horse. From photos and measurements of your horse’s hooves, we can assess the trim and Flex Boots’ suitability for your horse, and this saves you time and money as you don’t end up ordering boots that don’t work out for your horse. Some of the trims we see in our helpdesk inbox are quite bad, and if this is the case, we’re always honest with you and will tell you if we think Flex Boots won’t work for your horse. But if the trim is okay, and there is still a need to use heat to make the fit better, then it will be okay (although using heat on the boots will void any warranty on them). This may all sounds a bit strict, but with the softer materials of the boot, getting the fit right is important in order for the boots to work properly. And – getting the trim and hoof balance right is better for your horse too!

Question 18

When trying on Flex Boots for size and fit, is any twist OK, or are we aiming for no twist?"

Accepted Answer

A twist of around 5-10 degrees each way without the gaiter is OK, but with the gaiter on we are looking for no twist. Keep in mind that Flex Boots are better a bit loose rather than too tight; they work well if they are a little loose (and sometimes pads can be used to improve the fit), but they don’t work as well if they are too tight.

Frequently asked questions