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How to measure your horse's hoof for boots

Hoof boots are sized from two measurements of the trimmed hoof, width and length, and both need taking with care because a few millimetres change the fit.

The two measurements that matter

Hoof boots are sized by width and length. Width is the widest point across the bottom of the hoof, measured between the quarters or heels, and length is taken from the front of the toe back to the buttress line at the heel.

Take both measurements on the ground surface of the hoof, on a clean flat floor, with the horse standing square so the leg is loaded normally. Loading the hoof spreads it to roughly the shape it holds in work, which is what the boot has to fit.

Measure right after a fresh trim

Always measure just after a fresh trim. Between trims the hoof grows and spreads, so the length in particular creeps up and the shape changes. Measuring a long hoof gives you a boot that is too big once the hoof is trimmed back.

Taking the numbers immediately after trimming captures the hoof at its working size and shape, which is the size the brand's chart is built around.

Getting accurate numbers

Use a firm ruler or tape and record in millimetres, because many brands work to that precision. Measure the true widest point for width, not a diagonal, and take length straight from toe to the back of the weight-bearing heel, not up the slope of the hairline.

Round in the direction the brand tells you to. Some brands want the larger of width and length to drive the size, so knowing which figure leads for that brand matters as much as the numbers.

Measure both fronts and both hinds

Hooves are not identical. Left and right can differ, and front hooves are usually rounder and wider than the more oval hinds. Measure all four, or at least both fronts and both hinds, and size each pair to its own numbers.

Because boots are often sold per hoof, this lets you order the correct size for each foot rather than forcing one size onto a hoof it does not suit.

Turn your measurements into a size

Open the hoof boot fit toolEnter width and length and see which boots and sizes fit.Find Easyboot Glove hoof boot on eBayaffiliate

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Sources: EasyCare (Easyboot) ยท Scoot Boot