Spare rivets
Our retaining strap is attached to the SWISSHORSEBOOT with rivets. For a possible repair or the installation of spare parts, new rivets are required.
These can also be pressed together with a large pair of pliers (e.g. pipe wrench) even without a special riveting tool.
Fitting with insoles
Although the toes of the hoof go all the way to the tip of the BOOT and fit snugly at the back, you feel "air" on the left or right side.
This could result in the BOOT turning on the hoof during movement. You can compensate for this with 1-2 lateral inserts. The inserts are made of the same material as the BOOT and can also be obtained from us. Fitting the inserts is very easy. You need 1 hole punch and 1-2 rivets. The rivets are simply pressed firmly together with a water pipe wrench or similar.
If you are not sure whether the BOOT still fits with the riveted inlay or can no longer be pulled on, we recommend that you fix the inlay with double-sided adhesive tape for the time being so that you can try it on again.
The insoles can also be easily reduced or adjusted in size with scissors or a cutter.
The insole should first be fitted on the hoof BOOT side into which the boot turns.
Adjusting the shape of the hoof boot by warming it up
You can slightly stretch the hoof boot (SWISSHORSEBOOT) if it is difficult to put on despite a good fit or if it is a little too tight or too small. It is also possible to adjust the front angle of the hoof boot to the steeper angle of the hoof. This can usually be recognised by the fact that the hoof does not slip fully into the boot tip with the toes despite full load. In this case, the hoof angle is usually steeper than the boot angle (up to the buck hoof). The angle of the SWISSHORSEBOOT can be adjusted by warming up the hoof boot (to a limited extent).
There are various possibilities for this.
It is practical to heat the SWISSHORSEBOOT in a water bath. To do this, warm the hoof boot in warm water (not more than 60 degrees!). When the boot is completely warmed up, take it out of the water bath and put it directly on the horse/pony. Let the boot cool down on the hoof. You can speed up the cooling process by pouring cold water over the dressed boot.
The process can be repeated if necessary.
Alternatively, you can adjust the angle of the hoof boot by heating it with a hot air gun. For this you will need a HOT AIR FAN with approx. 1500 to 2000 watts. Heat the boot inside with the hair dryer, mainly in the toe area, and immediately pull it over the hoof. Let the BOOT cool down on the hoof. Do not overheat the boot, rather heat it several times until the boot is noticeably easier to pull over. You can accelerate the cooling process by pouring cold water over the donned boot.
The hoof boot is now individually adapted to this hoof and should not be used alternately on other hooves.
What should I pay attention to when buckling the boots?
Pull the boot strap together with the protective cover crosswise behind the pastern, just above the ball of the hoof, through the guide holes to the safety buckle. The protective cover should protrude approx. 1 cm through the guide holes on both sides. In most cases the protective cover is too long. Please shorten it accordingly so that you can tighten the buckle far enough. If the retaining strap is a little too long, simply cut it off at an angle and weld it with a lighter.
Do not shorten and weld on the horse (risk of injury!).
When closing the buckle, please always pull the halter strap backwards so that the buckle closes easily.
Tighten the halter strap so that a thick finger fits between the pads and the halter strap or take hold of the halter strap and its protective cover from behind and try to pull it down over the pads. If you succeed, you will have to tighten it a little more. It is advisable to check the tension after the first steps, as the hoof can slip further into the BOOT.
What do I have to pay attention to when removing the SWISS HORSE BOOT?
Open the buckle (do not tear it open), pull the strap, including the protective cover, out of the outer guide hole and press the boot down firmly at the back with your thumbs. You can also use a hoof scraper on the back and pull the boot down firmly. If you do not have enough strength, you can use cold water to pull the boot off. The same method helps when putting on the boot. Simply immerse the BOOT in cold water.
Additional hole for pulling off the SWISS HORSE BOOTS.
In addition, a hole can be drilled on the back of the boot. With the help of this hole and a hoof scraper or screwdriver, the boot can also be easily pulled off the hoof.
Are spikes needed for the SWISS HORSE BOOT?
Spikes have proven to be very advantageous for ice and snow, slippery ground or similar.
At least 2 pieces per BOOT are required. For draft horses with heavy loads up to 6 pieces per BOOT.
For mounting you have to drill 11mm holes at the marked positions. Push the screw sleeve through from the inside to the outside and place the washer against the hole from the outside. Finally, screw the spikes in very tightly with an open-end spanner.
Are security straps recommended and what for?
The security straps are particularly recommended in areas with very steep slopes and mountains. They give the BOAT additional support in the terrain. The strap is fastened at the front through the guide holes. Under no circumstances should the straps be fastened too tightly, rather too loosely than too tightly.
The hoof length exceeds the length of the boots. What to do?
If the hoof length exceeds the length of the hoof boots, first make sure that the toes have the optimal length (or "shortness").
If it is no longer possible to shorten the toes (maximum to the white line) and your horse has an exceptionally long and narrow hoof, it is possible to open the BOOT at the front in the toe area.
The hoof shoe is too high
Due to different hoof heights, it can happen that the edge of the BOOT runs directly along the edge of the crown. If this proves to be annoying, which only becomes apparent after several uses, you can trim the upper edge using sharp scissors.
Further tips
A few more tips so that you can enjoy your SWISS HORSE BOOT for a long time:
Always clean the BOOTS well with water, do not put any oil or grease on the BOOT or hoof. If you leave the BOOT on the hoof for a longer period of time, please air and clean it every one to two days.
The SWISS HORSE BOOT is also ideally suited for use as an ambulance and transport shoe.
