Frequently asked questions
You ask, we answer
Where can I buy Flex Hoof Boots?
We have approved retailers in countries around the world, please see the complete list here.
Why should I trim my horse's hooves every couple of weeks?
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.
How long do Flex Hoof Boots last?
Can I use Flex Boots on rocky terrain?
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.
Are Flex Boots slippery?
No, they are not. Flex Hoof Boots have a great grip because of the material and structure of the sole.
How much do Flex boots cost?
Around 84€ as of February 2020. You can find more accurate pricing from your nearest retailer.
Can you add studs to the boots?
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.
Are there problems with snow compaction when using Flex boots?
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.
Will Flex Boots rub?
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.
Why is it necessary to tighten the straps after a few steps?
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.
When should I use the higher or lower back strap settings?
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.
I discovered that during a ride, the back strap had opened. Why did this happen?
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.
Can Flex Boots be used in 24/7 turnout?
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.
How long does the Flex pad EVA last when used 24/7?
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.
What warranty do you offer?
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.
Does Flex Boots stay on through mud?
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.
Can I modify Flex Boots with heat at all, or is that definitely a big no-no?
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!
When trying on Flex Boots for size and fit, is any twist OK, or are we aiming for no twist?
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.