Heel bulb bruising

Q.

Uhhhggg
I'm going broke with these boots but really glad I found your page. Anyway, I have Old Mac's Gen 2. My horse seemed to love them. We used them on some rides, and then went on a longer one. He started complaining about 3/4 the way. I walked, wondering what could possibly be wrong. Removal of the boots showed discoloration of the heel bulbs - like bruising. The hoof wall fits well but the bulbs seem to be setting hard on the materials in the rear. Wondering if I need the cushion inserts or to move on to the bares.

A.  Are you using the Old Mac Pastern Wraps?  The wraps will give you extra cushioning and protection of the pastern area and heel bulbs.  Does your horse have low slung heels?  You may need to take that in consideration when measuring.  When you stated that you went on a longer ride, how long of ride did you go on?  We use 25 miles as a measuring point.  If you ride less than 25 miles per ride/week, I would recommend the Old Mac's or the Boa Horse Boots.  The reason is that these boots are higher profiled boots (coming up to the hairline) and may cause rubbing or chaffing on longer rides.  Otherwise, the Easyboots, Easyboot Epics or Easyboot Bares may be a better choice.  They are lower profile boots with all the hard parts of the boot below the hair line, therefore eliminating any change of rubbing or chaffing. 

Comments

[BJ]

I have used the Old Mac Gen II both with and without the pastern wraps. When using the wraps, the securing strap was turned back on itself just barely the 3" recomended in the instructions. The boot barely overlaped in the back but I could pull them to the 2nd hole if I worked at it. (tried both 1st and 2nd hole, same result) With them inplace on about an 8 mile (?) ride, the bulbs got chaffed and bruised (I walked 4 miles that day :)). So I tried without the wraps and now have just the bruising. I'm just learning about hooves but I do think he has low heels. Maybe I could send you a picture, I'd really like to be able to use the boots. (Any boot.)I don't ride 25 miles at a time yet because we are not that conditioned but I am aiming for endurance training and riding. Help me get there ---- pleeeese. .

A.
It sounds like you have better luck not using the pastern wraps, that they cause a tighter fit. You may want to try using vet wrap around the pastern/bulb area instead. With what you are telling me, that you are aiming for endurance training, I would recommend using the Easyboot Epics or Bares. I think the lower profile boots would work better for you.