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The 5 Best Horse Soaking Boots and Why They’re Needed.

Last updated: October 9, 2022

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

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I love soaking my sore feet in a tub of warm water with Epsom salt, and I do the same for my horses when their feet are sore or injured. But instead of putting their hooves in a tub, I use soaking boots. There are many types available; however, some work better than others.

Horse soaking boots are a must for any equestrian. They speed up the healing process and reduce soreness from injuries after hard works. My favorite is the yeezo Hoof Soaking Boot; it‘s made of durable material that stays in place and is easy to put on and take off.

This guide will give you information on how to use horse soaking boots and answer some common questions. But first, here are my top five picks and the reasons why they made my list.

soaking boots

yeezo Hoof Soaking Boot 

yeezo Hoof Soaking Boots are the best-sellers on a top retailer site, and I used them when my horse’s dry, cracked hooves needed some tender loving care. They are big enough to fit most breeds, and their sturdy securing straps keep them from falling off

yeezo soaking boots are made of 500D thick nylon material, ensuring no leaks or tears – even if your horse tries to rub them off (like mine did).

Pros

  • Useful for a variety of hoof issues – thrush, abscess, etc.
  • Lightweight and non-bulky – horses take to them fairly well.
  • Easy to store
  • Washable and reusable.
  • Ensure snug fit due to three fastening points
  • Come with EVA foam pads
  • Four attractive color choices
  • Standard size – 20-inch high, 8-inch bottom diameter.

Cons

  • Avoid using them when turning out the horse. However, you can use them over a bandaged leg if you want to keep it dry – but only for a short turnout.

Easy Soaker Treatment Boots

My friend has a fidgety little horse that has difficulty keeping its feet in a bucket. That guy topples over buckets and had to be watched all the time when soaking his feet.

With the Easy Soaker Boot, it’s no longer an issue because they’re designed to stay on your horse’s foot with draw straps. These straps are easy to use and stay out of the way, so they don’t get tangled.

You can easily soak your horse’s hoof in the treatment/medicine of your choice and get back to your chores. It is an excellent boot if your horse occasionally develops thrush, yeast, or abscess.

Pros

  • Made with very thick and durable ballistic nylon and has a nylon liner too
  • Lightweight and collapsible
  • Diameter of 6-inches 
  • 3-fastening points ensure a snug fit
  • It can also be used for icing 
  • Recommended by veterinarians
  • Easy returns
  • Can be used for shod horses

Cons

The height is less, so the solution tends to splash out.

StepnSoak-911 Hoof Soaking/Rx Boot 

An equestrian friend of mine swears by StepNSoak hoof soaking boots. She has used it on ponies and quarter horses and says it has saved her a lot of hassle. She recommends using them when the animal is on a soft surface like rubber, bedding, or dirt – because concrete tears them. 

Add the soaking solution and walk away! The soaking boot does the job well and will save your animal/s a lot of pain. She has used these hoof soaking boots to treat abscesses, thrush, yeast, white line disease, and scratches.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Well-made. Rubber pads at the bottom ensure that you can use them with shod horses.
  • 8.5-inch diameter.
  • Thick 1/4th inch rubber

Cons

The Velcro is not attached. Some smaller animals need extra reinforcements to hold the boots up.

TUBBEASE Breathable Hoof Soaking Boot 

This shorter soaking boot is recommended for covering dressings, bandages, or simply for wound protection. The top part of the boot features a breathable polyester sock, and the bottom is sturdy sealed PVC for effective soaking and wound protection.

Pros

  • It comes with a strap for a snug fit
  • Breathable design speeds up the healing process
  • Made in New Zealand

Cons

Not for turnout – use in confined places only.

yeezo Horse Hoof Soaking Boot Hooves Soaker Bag

The yeezo Horse Hoof Soaking bag is helpful for soaking the legs of small and large horse breeds. It is thick and sturdy, so you won’t have to worry about rips and leakages.

Pros

  • Made with thick 500 Deniers PVC tarpaulin
  • Can be tied with drawstrings and secured with Velcro straps
  • 8-inch diameter
  • EVA foam pad included
  • Durable
  • Value for money

Cons

  • You need to monitor your horse when soaking, or else it could kick the bag off.

What are horse soaking boots, and why they’re needed?

A soaking boot is a large bag or wraps designed to hold medicine or liquid when placed on a horse’s lower legs. They are a must if you want to treat your horse’s hooves. You can add medicine, iodine, warm water with Epsom salts, or other special preparations.

Soaking boots are also known as medicinal boots and can be very useful for treating abscesses, laminitis, seedy toe, white line separation, thrush, cracked or punctured hooves, and other injuries.

Sure, you can always use a large bucket or tub for the job, and that is what we did for years. But soaking boots are much easier, and you avoid any possibility of the horse turning the bucket over and spilling its contents.

Also, some horse-soaking boots are made to be worn outside – not just when the horse is stabled. Being able to turn your horse out while treating it is a significant advantage over standing them in a bucket; plus, they can be placed over bandaged hooves to keep dirt away.

How do you make hoof soaking boots?

We’ve made soaking boots from various materials; the two I prefer are doggie training pee pads and disposable diapers. Most frequently, we used these for horses with abscesses and not for warm water soaking.

Remember that if your horse has an abscess, you will need a vet to pare the skin around the abscess to drain it first. This step is essential before you soak its hoof.

After the abscess is drained, clean the area and cover it with an antiseptic bandage with a povidone-iodine or a medicated bandage pad. 

Once you’ve covered the abscess with the medicated bandage, place the baby diaper or pee pad over the applications and use either duct tape or vet wrap to secure it in place.

Use extra tape or wrap to cover the sole of your horse’s hoof, and be sure you don’t wrap the tape too tight or go above the coronary band. If you’re not used to wrapping a horse’s legs, ask an experienced person for help.

You need to check your horse’s abscess daily, so plan to remove and replace your makeshift soaking boot each time. You can also use a bucket, a tub, or a reinforced plastic bag to soak your horse’s hooves in it.

If your horse is nervous or fidgety, investing in hoof soaking boots may be better than using a bucket or a bag. Soaking boots have several advantages, an important one being that the solution stays in place while the horse moves around.

Whether you use a bucket or soaking boots, monitor your horse to ensure it won’t kick off the boot or topple the bucket. This is important to ensure the success of the treatment.

What to add to the soaking boot

The choice of medicine/soaking solution depends on the condition you are treating. You can add any of the following:

  • Cleantrax – This is a popular equine hoof cleanser
  • You can also use Epsom salts and warm water for soaking.
  • Vetricyn Equine Hoof Care solution for thrush, white line separation, seedy toe, etc.
  • Ichthammol – this is a sticky ointment that draws out bacterial or fungal infections, heals puncture wounds, and soothes pain and inflammation.
  • Iodine or Betadine – these are great for disinfecting hoof abscesses.

How to use horse soaking boot

To use a horse soaking boot, use the following steps:

  • Get your horse used to putting his foot in the boot.
  • Once he accepts the boot and stands quietly, add the water. This should be slightly higher than the horse’s temperature. You can also now add the medicine of your choice mentioned above.
  • Gradually add more hot water – as hot as your horse can tolerate.
  • Tie the straps to secure the boot around your horse’s legs.
  • Soak the affected hoof for at least 20-30 minutes daily.
  • Some horse soaking boots can also be worn all day.
  • In case your horse has a bandaged leg, you can use the hoof boot over the bandage to prevent wear and tear of the bandage and protect it from dirt. The hoof boot will also provide protection to the tender sole.

Let’s now discuss the best horse-soaking boots in the market.

Final Recommendation

All horses need proper hoof care, and soaking treatment in special boots will help condition them, preventing wear or cracks from occurring. Additionally, soakings help treat conditions like abscesses, laminitis, soreness, and infections.

I recommend Yeezo soaking boots because they are very sturdy, durable, washable, and reusable. They also fit a wide range of sizes and are secure when fastened correctly.

If your horse has an abscess and you don’t have a soaking boot, below is a YouTube video showing how to make a duct tape boot.

FAQs

Why soak a horse’s hoof?

Vets recommend hoof soaking to treat bruises, infections, abscesses, and thrush. Soaking conditions the hooves and prevents cracks and dryness. The process increases circulation and speeds up the healing of bacterial and fungal issues.

How long should you use a poultice boot?

Use the poultice for 20-30 minutes each day for at least 2-3 days. Some hoof conditions need soaking every other day for several weeks. It all depends on the condition you are treating.

How to make an Epsom salt poultice for horses?

To make an Epsom salt poultice for your horse, mix 1 part Epsom salt with two parts of hot water – as hot as your horse can comfortably tolerate. Soak as directed by your vet.