Boot is falling off |
When a boot is falling
off, the fit is not appropriate for that hoof. Follow this one thought
when fitting the
marquis
hoof boots: The shell of the
boot must fit to the contours of the hoof wall. Whenever there is a
deviation causing a space between the hoof wall and the shell of the boot
you need to fill in that space. There are various reasons
for incorrect fit listed below:
-
There is too much
space on the sides of the boot between the hoof wall and the shell of
the boot.
-
Wrong size range.
-
Not enough air in the
chamber.
-
Irregular shaped hoof
wall.
-
Heels are too high.
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Heels are too low.
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Too much space behind
the bulbs.
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Toe not put to the
front of the boot when applying boot.
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Horse has too long an
over-stride and is interfering.
-
Severe gait deviation.
-
Hind feet are a
slightly different shape.
-
Extremely variable
terrain.
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Check your
measurements and tracings for accuracy (you may need a different size).
If they are correct you can help the fit to be more snug by making small
shims from closed cell foam. Slide them down in between the side of the
hoof wall and the boot. This is done on
hind feet or
small pony feet that are smaller than the size 0.
-
Call us. If the boots
are unused they can be exchanged.
-
Put more air in the
air chamber. For very
rigorous terrain or
very fast gaits or
intense performance sport
you will need more air.
-
For minor
irregularities you or your hoof specialist/farrier can clean them up
with a rasp. Otherwise, you need to “fill in the space” caused by the
irregularity with closed cell foam. For example, a
laminitic horse with a large
flare in the front of the hoof wall will need a strip of closed cell
foam across the front of the hoof wall to fill in that space.
-
Extreme cases where
the heel is higher than 4 cm or 1 9/16”, the air chamber may be moved
up. The fit needs to be such that the air chambers cushion above the
bulbs. Just drill two holes in the shell of the boot above the other
holes that presently hold on the air chamber and swivel the chamber up
at the back. This works very well for horses with
founder or
club foot. We can also do this
for you in our office.
-
For
horses with
pasterns that slope shallowly
we
recommend insoles so that the back of the pastern is not rubbed by the
air chamber.
Gaited horses
may
benefit from cutting out the back of the boot and lowering the air
chamber. Please enquire at our office for information and photographs.
-
You will need a
smaller size.
-
Open the front flap
wide and look down into the front of the boot to check that the hoof is
completely to the front of the boot. The soft material will mold to the
shape of your horses toe. Then, when you put the air in the chamber it
will snug the boot up onto the hoof in its most forward position. This
is needed to keep the hoof from moving inside the boot.
-
More work in
collection will help with the extremely long over stride.
-
Equine chiropractic or
body work may help with alignment issues.
-
Yes, this is desirable
and the
marquis
are fully adaptable. Hind feet have
steeper hoof walls and a slightly
different shape from the front feet. Longer wire fasteners can be used
if necessary. The closed cell foam shims may also be used very
successfully if needed in the sides.
-
If all other fit
parameters are correct, you need more air in the air chamber. The soft
white air chambers are an option for
trail riders doing lots of steep
downhill rides.
|
Boot is twisting |
Slight rotation of the
boot would indicate the use of insoles. More than slight rotation is
incorrect sizing or trimming or gait travel. |
Your horse needs one
size smaller or insoles.
|
Chaffing |
-
Incorrect usage – boot
is left on for too long at a time.
-
Incorrect usage –
initial acclimatization period of a few 20 minute sessions has not been
observed and followed.
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Friction rub – a
friction rub is caused by space anywhere inside the boot allowing the
hoof to move. It can be caused by too low heels, too large a boot size,
not enough air or too loose a setting on the clip and wire, or irregular
hoof shape.
-
Pressure rub – a
pressure rub is caused by a boot that is fitting too tight.
-
Irregular hoof shape –
high heels.
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Irregular hoof shape –
low heels.
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Extremely variable
terrain.
|
-
We recommend that
boots left on for more than 5 hours at one time be checked frequently.
Extremely hot
temperatures and a long duration in the boots may allow sweat
and dirt to be a source for irritation.
Endurance riders may consider using the
marquis
socks. We recommend Long
Riders use the socks. For
therapeutic uses (where boot must
be left on for long periods of time) the air chamber may be removed
and use
just the shell. Hooves must be checked regularly.
-
Follow the Proper
Fitting Instructions enclosed in each pair of boots. To start with,
put a little too much air in the air chambers rather that not enough.
The air chambers should be pressing snugly but not too hard against the
heel bulbs. Put enough air in the chamber so that it is difficult (but
still possible) to squeeze your finger in between the bulbs of the heel
and the air chamber. It will take a little trial to find out the
correct amount of air, this is why we recommend building up to the use
gradually. Exercise gently for 15 to 20 minutes. If it looks like the
heels are starting to get sore, then wait a day or two and use slightly
less air next time.
-
The
marquis
boot is a performance boot! When fitting the boot keep in mind that you
do not want the hoof to move in any way inside the boot. So, again,
fill in the spaces that are allowing the hoof to move in the boot. This
can be done with more air, tighter settings on the wire and clip,
marquis
insoles,
closed cell foam wedges. The
marquis
should fit snug and secure with no slopping, hollow sound when walking,
or rotating. They are designed just like a hoof and act as an outer
“skin” of protection for your horses comfort and safety.
-
Use less air, a looser
setting on the wire and clip, take out insoles, or move up one size
range.
-
The
marquis
is designed to simulate the bare hoof. Sometimes, though, a hoof in
transition from metal shoes or any irregularity will have different
proportions. The
marquis
has many adaptations built into the boot (adjustable air chamber,
several clip and wire settings) and can also be adapted for high heels
by raising the air chamber to the needed height. Once the surplus heel
has been cured the boot can then go back to its original configuration
to suite a more balanced hoof.
-
Use
the insoles for low heels. For
therapeutic reasons
specialty hoof pads work well in these boots. Also, for
Gaited horses
may benefit from cutting out the back of the boot and lowering the air
chamber. Please enquire at our office for information and photographs.
-
The
soft (white) air chambers are a good option for rugged
trail riding.
|
Plastic rivets are not
holding. |
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You are engaged in an
intensive sport with your horse.
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Your horse sometime
clips the back of the front boot with a hind foot.
|
-
marquis
is an excellent riding/high performance boot. For high intensity sports
such as jumping and eventing,
we recommend metal rivets in the back of the boots (instead of the
plastic) and fitting the boots on the snug side.
-
For
gaited horses with a strong
over-stride we also recommend the metal rivets.
|
Wire popping out of its
housing on the side of the boot. |
The boot is not fitting
to the contour of your horses hoof wall. This may happen to a horse in
transition. |
When fitting the boot
keep in mind that you do not want the hoof to move in any way inside the
boot. So, again, fill in the spaces that are allowing the hoof to move in
the boot. This can be done with more air, tighter settings on the wire
and clip,
marquis
insoles,
closed cell foam wedges. The Marquis should fit snug and secure with no
slopping, hollow sound when walking, or rotating. They are designed just
like a hoof and act as an outer “skin” of protection for your horses
comfort and safety.
marquis
is excellent for a
transition boot from metal shoes to barefoot. The resilience and
flexibility of the boot constantly allows for hoof mechanism.
Contracted heels
are easily fitted with the air chamber. Your transitioning
horse will look forward to putting on his/her
marquis
boots!! |
Anxious horse behavior –
shifting continuously from one hoof to the other or pawing. |
The boot is applied too
tight or the horse is unaccustomed to the sensation of the boot on his/her
hoof. |
Loosen the boot slightly
by letting out some air.
Take more time with the
introduction of the boot to the horse. Usually horses adjust very well to
the fit of the
marquis
because of the excellent, comfortable ergonomic fit. Occasionally, a
very sensitive horse may take some extra time to adapt. |
Pump is
leaking air |
1.
not correct alignment of pump head on valve.
2. head on pump
has become too tight. |
1.
The head of the pump needs to be held perpendicular to the valve for a
sealed connection - if the pump is at an angle the seal will not be
completed and the air will leak out. You should not hear any air
leaking out of the connection when you are pumping.
2.
Make sure the head of the pump is not screwed on too tight - this will
cause the washer inside to become too depressed and make it more difficult
to use. Loosen the head of the pump slightly until it turns freely, then
retighten until it is just snug. |