Cavallo Sport Hoof Boots

Cavallo Hoof Boots are the most popular hoof boots in the world. Why? Because they are, quite simply, the very best hoof boot on the market today. Cavallo Hoof Boots use all the following features (and many more) to provide you and your equine best friend a pleasant, natural ride you’ll both enjoy.

You can print this as a GENERAL GUIDE only as it will NOT print to scale. Have a ruler or tape measure handy.
You will receive the measuring card tool with your purchase.

Right-click to download

Important Notes on Fitting:

You should not have to force the boot on the horse’s hoof in any way. If you are having to force the boot on it is too small.

If the boot is rotating independently from the horse’s hoof it is too big. A wiggle is okay because the hoof expands in weight-bearing and even further in movement.

To safeguard your Cavallo Warranty

Only new UNUSED boots can be exchanged. To keep the boot clean, we suggest covering the hoof with thin plastic and checking fit on a non-scuff (not gravel), clean, dry surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cavallo Hoof Boot soles are moulded in industrial-grade TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane). Under certain conditions, this compound may be vulnerable to a chemical reaction known as Hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a bond breakdown that may occur at least 2 years after production. This happens only when boots are stored in unfavourable conditions and not being used. Hydrolysis may be avoided by ensuring good air ventilation and avoiding humidity over 70%. Keep the storage environment cool and dry with good air circulation. A combination of temperatures as high as 40 Degree Celsius with high moisture content, should be avoided.

Hoof boots that are frequently used in very wet conditions should be allowed to dry before storage and should not be stored in the original box or in areas of poor air circulation. Follow these instructions and your hoof boots will last free of Hydrolysis for many years.

To reduce the risks of bacterial build-up mix a solution of 50% Apple Cider Vinegar to water and spray into the boot and on the hoof sole regularly.

If leaving horses unattended with Simple Boots on you may wish to cover the straps with duct tape or anything that will keep the horse from playing with the straps and possibly destroying your boots. Failure to take precautions may void the warranty.

Q: My friends all ride with Cavallos. I want to get a pair too, but I am noticing that there is a space around the pastern on some horses and others fit tight to the leg. Are certain boot styles more suited to my fine-boned horse than others?

A: The Trek and ELB (Entry Level Boots) are the best choices for fine-boned horses. Both styles have a unique front-closure system that allows for an extra-snug fit on the upper portion of the boot – creating a very secure fit.

On a finer-boned animal, the wrap-around Velcro closures can be drawn to the front on an angle downward when the boot is being fastened, creating an almost “V” neck at the boot collar, and tightening the fit:

Cavallo boots can be used on either the front or hind hoofs. Most riders find that they only need the boots on the front to keep their horse comfortable on all terrain but if you find that your horse would benefit from wearing them on the hind that is fine to do as well. The front legs load 70% of the weight of the horse and most of the conditions such as navicular, laminitis, calcifications, abscessing, bruising etc., occur on the fronts. The hind legs are more for propulsion. You can start with boots on the front hoofs and then just monitor the situation as you go along.

It really depends on a variety of issues such as how well the hoofs are conditioned to the terrain you are riding on, the internal health of the hoof and any pre-existing conditions in the foot. If you find your horse is tender on the hinds please measure them separately from the front as they may be a size smaller and are often narrower.

Riders should allow their horses to ‘break-in’ their boots gradually, starting with 15 – 20 minutes and increasing from there, while monitoring the comfort of the hoofs. Wearing your Cavallo’s in water or using a leather conditioner to “work” the leather at the heel bulb will hasten the softening progress. Cavallo Comfort Sleeves can be used to help prevent any chaffing during the break-in period.

One of the outstanding features of our boots (all models) is that the back bulb area is padded with leather on both sides – inside and out, with a foam cushion in between, which softens and conforms to the unique shape of your horse’s bulbs. So our boots literally custom mould to your horse’s feet PROVIDING PROTECTION AND SUPPORT! (For a club-footed horse or a horse with an upright hoof, the back of the boot will remain more upright.)

One of the outstanding features of our boots (all models) is that the back bulb area is padded with leather on both sides – inside and out, with a foam cushion in between, which softens and conforms to the unique shape of your horse’s bulbs. Our boots conform to your horse’s feet PROVIDING PROTECTION AND SUPPORT! For example with an upright hoof, the back part of the boot will remain upright in line with the upright club foot.

The horse’s entire body system operates best when his hooves work correctly. A properly functioning bare hoof absorbs the impact of around 1000 pounds of weight. The hoof spreads to draw the sole flat and allow the weight to descend. This is the hoof mechanism that involves a pumping action that stimulates blood circulation. When freely flowing, the nutrients and oxygen in the blood contribute to the health of hoof tissue, cellular structure, strength, and resilience and help heal any internal conditions.

Hoofs condition to the horse’s living environment, which is usually different from the surfaces we ride on. The impact is increased with the rider’s load and tack, which then pushes the sole further into the terrain. Too often, uncomfortable barefoot horses head for the soft shoulder or grassy areas. Successfully riding a barefoot horse over all-terrain is achievable for many horses but can take years and in some horses, boots will always be necessary to keep our partners comfortable.

It is best to store your Cavallo Boots in a cool, dry location with good air circulation. Boots that are wet should be allowed to dry before placing them in storage and should not be stored in the original box or in areas of pair air circulation. Storing the boots in high temperatures or high humidity levels should also be avoided. It is recommended to store boots with all velcro panels and straps closed to keep them free of hay, hair, dirt and other debris.

There are a variety of conditions that affect the life of your Cavallo Boots such as terrain, speed, gaits, frequency of use, frequency of trimming. In average conditions with adequate care, the life span of your Cavallo Hoof Boots last from 1 – 2 years, however we have many happy trail riders who have had their boots for much longer.

Many people do indeed use Cavallo Boots in combination with metal shoes. The Cavallo Boot TPU (thermo plastic urethane) sole can assist in absorbing the shock and resulting vibration up the horse’s structure and prevent bruising while transporting your horse or working on hard surfaces. Cavallo cannot guarantee that the boots will hold up over prolonged use, to the force of metal, protruding nails or sharp edges and thus the warranty is void with this usage.

Extending the life of your Boots can be accomplished by using the Cavallo High Tenacity Protection Pads, or you may customize an insole of thick leather or foam padding which will decrease the direct wear on the sole of the boot. You can replace the pads when they appear to be wearing and thereby lengthen the life of the sole of your boots.

Cavallo Boots are specifically designed for ease of use and practicality. Cavallo Boots are easy to put on, do not come off and are easy to remove. You can ride over any terrain with complete hoof protection. The following chart gives an indication of some various uses of boots and the comparison between them.

Endurance riding is an aggressive and extreme sport which for warranty purposes falls under the “excessive wear and tear” category, thus making void the Cavallo Boot warranty. Please note however, that there are many positive reports of Cavallo Boots successfully used by endurance riders including the sweep team for the Tevis Cup.

Transitioning to barefoot and natural is not necessarily difficult. In fact, in many cases it’s simply a matter of removing the metal shoes, keeping the hooves trimmed and using Cavallos for comfort and protection. It can become challenging when some more serious problems are already brewing and then with the increase in blood circulation your horse feels the discomfort more strongly. This is usually just a matter of supporting him through the rough patch. We liken it to the discomfort felt when frostbite thaws. It passes with increased circulation and stimulation. You can use your Cavallos for turnout so that your horse is more willing to move about. The freer-flowing nutrients and oxygen in the blood will speed up the process of healing. You could also use a little MSM or a mild pain reliever if it gets very bad. This all being said hoof boots will decrease discomfort and make the transition much more pleasant for you and your horse.

There are various degrees of severity with sheared heels and the symptoms/discomfort can come and go. Although many conditions can fade away, pathology suggests your horse may become conditioned to and adjust to accommodate this way of going. He may likely learn to carry his weight forward on his foot, loading less weight on the painful heel. This would affect the counter effect that a heel-first or at least a simultaneous to toe landing would have to spread those heels. And without a proper heel landing, the heels are not stimulated to expand.

Anyway, the answer is YES Cavallos can help and here’s how. The inside of Cavallos are flat at the heel. So without the fear of irritation from a sharp rock or edge, your horse will be encouraged to bear weight. Cavallos provide complete sole protection, so once he understands there is no terrain induced aggravation, he will be willing to move and will then benefit from the counter effect of this flat surface. You could certainly insert our Gel Pads at the beginning until he really feels comfortable moving around and then transition him into the Support Pads. The more he moves – the more oxygen supply – the more blood circulation, with all its nutrients and the more potential improvement.

Too much traction on the sole of boots can inflict strain on the tendons and ligaments. In gaits faster than a walk, the bare hoof slides slightly when making contact with the ground. The Cavallo Boot has just the right amount of traction — more than a metal horseshoe, but not as much as a hiking boot. This allows horses to travel comfortably at any speed over any terrain. Cavallo has numerous successful reports of the use of our hoof boots with gaited horses. The problem can be in the amount of “twist” on ground contact. If the hoof is twisting and the boot is stationary – there may be some friction problems. This can easily be corrected by filing more tread off the bottom of the sole of the boot, thus encouraging the boot to move more readily with your horse’s hoof. Please note the warranty is void by altering the boot.

Riders use a variety of studs and even regular screws to help increase traction while riding on ice, snow and wet grass. You must use caution that no part of it extends past the sole of the boot to irritate the horse’s hoof. The amount used and placement on the boots is dependent on various conditions such as terrain, gait and your personal requirements. There have also been reports of success by using a Dremel to create more grooves into the sole of the boot to improve grip. Whatever you decide, please ride with care on treacherous terrain.

We do not make boots with sliders or to accommodate sliders. All Cavallo boots can be successfully used for turnout and riding over any terrain with your barefoot horse. This comfort encourages movement and blood circulation building strength, elasticity and overall healthier hoofs.

Barrel Racing can exert an enormous amount of torque on hoof boots as it is a lateral and speed sport.

Our recommendation is to use your boots for trail riding, warming up and in the area around the competition arena. When it comes time for your run, remove them and GO! Carole shaved an entire second off her time when she started running barefoot. The bare hoof absorbs shock as it’s mean to and has a lot more natural traction when rounding a barrel.

Yes! Your horse can wear Cavallo Boots during jumping, providing your horse with extra comfort and reduced hoof pressure. Here’s what one foremost authority on this topic has to say:

Dr. Robert Bowker, DVM – from Horse & Rider, Feb. 2006,

“The blood in horses’ feet does much more than provide nutrients to hoof tissues. It also enables the unshod foot to function as a hydraulic system, in much the same way that gel-filled athletic shoes do. We need to be trimming hooves so that more of the back part of the foot — including the frog — bears the initial ground impact forces and weight. Horseshoes provide a much smaller surface area to absorb shock. So, if a bare hoof landing after a jump experiences, say, 1,000 pounds of loading per square foot, then with a traditional shoe, there’s going to be 2,000 pounds per square foot.”

Cavallo’s Under Study

Gabriella Lynn, a student at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, recently conducted a study to determine Cavallo Trek boots’ effects on hoof pressure distribution. She chose these boots because they cover the entire foot and have tread for riding over rough ground. Lynn presented her findings at the 2019 Equine Science Society Symposium, held June 3-6 in Asheville, North Carolina.

In her study, Lynn measured pressure distribution as horses walked over Fuji-film Low Prescale Film barefoot and when wearing boots, on asphalt and over crushed stone. The colour film images revealed pressure over the hoof wall and sole, as well as minimum and maximum pressure, mean pressure, size of contact area, and force. After analyzing these, Lynn observed that hoof boots created more low-pressure regions on the film than bare feet, meaning, in Lynn’s words, “that hoof boots absorbed more force and distributed more pressure upon impact”.

Not only can you jump in Cavallos, but your horse will benefit from the shock absorbing, weight distributing and pressure minimizing features of these technically advanced apparatus of ingenuity. Without the need for special trims or replaceable (breakable) parts and complete with 100% hoof protection, Trek have risen to become the most popular style in the Cavallo Hoof Boot collection. Cavallo receives reports and client praises everyday. Many happy riders choose to send their photos and videos, unprompted. It’s obvious. ‘YES’ you can indeed jump in Cavallos. And if you require more traction, stud kits are available.

Cavallo guarantees the quality and workmanship of Cavallo Hoof Boots for 180 DAYS from the date of purchase. Subject to approval from the place of purchase, Cavallo will reimburse for repair or replace your boots against faulty workmanship. The guarantee does not cover natural wear-and-tear, inappropriate use, modifications, changes or alterations, unattended horses, incorrect sizing, excessive heat exposure, exposure to sharp objects, or use with metal shoes without Cavallo High Tenacity Protection Pads in place.

To be fully protected by the Cavallo Best Boot 180 Day Warranty, Cavallo Hoof Boots must be purchased from a recognized Cavallo retailer. Cavallo Hoof Boots purchased as “used” or “second-hand” are not covered under the Cavallo Best Boot 180 Day Warranty.

Boots must be clean, washed dry and free of debris, manure and dirt with dated original receipt and shipping paid.

Need to talk to us about a return? Send us an email.