Cheap and easy soak boots!

I'm a fairly big fan of using Chlorine Dioxide products in hoofcare.  Labeled White Lightning or Oxine AH, these products rely on the production of gas to be effective as a treatment.  You can purchase soak boots that will lock that gas around the hoof.

But I'm cheap.  The boots run $25 to $50 each, which is fine if you intend to use them repeatedly, but if you're hoping to only treat for a week or so, they are not inexpensive.

Making cheap and easy soak boots is a great short term alternative.  I've had them last for several treatments.

Step one:  Assemble your duct tape and some gallon size freezer bags.

Step two:  Apply the tape in layers along the bag.  The duct tape will reinforce the bag and prevent tears.  One layer is sufficient, two is OK, more than two and the bag becomes unwieldy when fitted to the hoof.  Your finished work will look like this:



When you fit the bag to the hoof, it tends to fit best if the corners point toe to tail and not side to side.

I lift the hoof, put the bag on and set the hoof down.

While the horse is standing I pour a quarter cup of the 1:1 chlorine dioxide to white vinegar mixture in, on the front of the hoof wall.  Pouring it directly onto the hoof  wall rather than having it hit the coronary band or heels lessens the chance of the horse reacting.  (translate: lift hoof and spill everything everywhere)

Then I quickly tie a 2' length of an old polo wrap around the pastern.  A basic overhand knot will do- it can be quickly removed if necessary and provides a hold that lasts the length of a 20 minute soak.   The wrap should be tight enough to keep the gases in but not tight enough to restrict circulation.  I like using an old polo because mine have just enough stretch to provide a good closure.  Plus, I have a few polos that need to be recycled.

I do keep the horses in a stall when they're soaking and provide hay to keep them preoccupied.  Otherwise I'm sure they'd tear most every kind of soak boot to shreds.