GENERAL INFORMATION

Origin of the boot
The Swiss Horse Boot comes from Switzerland, where it was invented in the 1980s by Hubert Rohner as an alternative to conventional horseshoeing.  In 1999, it was rated the "best hoof boot in Europe" following a study by the Center for Hoof Boots in Paderborn, Germany.  The Swiss Horse Boot is not a "medicine boot," or a spare tire boot, but a high quality riding boot intended to replace the nailed-on or glued-on metal horseshoe whenever your horse needs hoof protection.  It is easy to put on, easy to take off, and yet stays on during challenging riding activities.

How long will the boot last?
Many people inquire about how long the Swiss Horse Boot can be expected to last before they must be replaced with new boots.  The Swiss Horse Boot Company states that their product, generally speaking, outlasts conventional nail-on shoes six-to-one.  The inventor, Hubert Rohner says, "My product will last a minimum of six months--an average horse ridden three times per week for one to two hours per ride.  Many boots commonly last about one year, depending on terrain; while some last over three years."   Boots are used only when necessary, so they can have a long use span--untrue for horseshoes which are in continual use because they are nailed on.

The importance of a natural trim before booting
Before ordering Swiss Horse Boots for your horse, it is important that your horse be given a "natural trim."  Naturally trimmed hooves will not only assure your horse of the best fit possible, they will enable him to move at peak efficiency. Read Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care by Jaime Jackson and Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You by Pete Ramey to learn more about genuine natural hoof care.  Qualified Natural Hoof Care Practitioners can give your horse a quality natural trim, and also select and fit boots for your horse.  To locate a Practitioner, check the list at www.aanhcp.org

Also, because the hoof keeps growing between trims, you must plan on keeping your horse's hooves trimmed regularly or your horse will outgrow the boots in-between trims.  Trims approximately every 4 weeks are optimal for keeping a good boot fit.  Regular trimming, besides being the best for your horse's optimal hoof health, is necessary for all horse boots.  Consistency in trimming is also very important for good boot fit.  The hoof must stay in the same general size and shape in order for the boots to continue to fit properly.  Changes in trimming strategies, or inconsistency in trimming which alters the shape of the hoof from one trim to the next will affect the fit of the boot.  This is true for all horse boots.
 
How to purchase Swiss Horse Boots
Due to the importance of proper fit, Swiss Horse boots are only available through trained fitters.  This is to ensure that each horse receives the best possible fit.  A list of fitters is available under the Natural Hoof Care Practitioners section at www.aanhcp.org