How are bell boots supposed to fit?

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theaftermathxx

New member
I bought my mare some bell boots recently and I'm just not sure how they're supposed to fit. They're the velcro kind, not the pull-ons. I'm just nervous because I think they may be too big and I don't want to do any damage or make her uncomfortable. Pictures/videos/explanations? Should they not be able to move? I don't want them to be too tight or too loose.
Oops, obviously forgot to add. She's an arabian and her ankles are a tad skinny. They're the rubber ones with velcro closure.
Should they rise up a touch when she bends her ankle? I don't want them rubbing too much!
 
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justacowgirl2004

New member
If your horse is normal sized in the feet, they will fit. They make small, med & large. Meds will fit a quarter type horse. They will spin around and should, somewhat. You don't want them tight fitting, they will rub sores. Ill look for pic for you...DO YOU HAVE the rubber ones with velcro or cloth padded? Even the no turn bells will turn a bit.
**ADDED ok.. meds should fit just fine. if they have a single velcro, just put the edges of the boot around til the edeg meets and hook the velcro. Do not over lap the rubber. The back of the book should not touch the ground, but should cover the bulbs of the feet.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2367085_putting-bell-boots-free-horseback.html
 
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Freya

New member
I have the exact same problem when finding boots to fit my little arab mare. They should be close fitting just at the narrowest part of the pastern. If they are bumping on the ground as she walks, just cut a slice off the bottom until they don't quite touch the ground.

They should just cover the area where she normally over-reaches. If she doesn't over-reach, she doesn't need them at all and you can just leave them, so no fitting dilemma!

If she definitely does need them and you're bothered about rubbing, you can get neoprene ones or some lined with fleece to prevent any rubs. The rubber ones tend to be the ones that rub (I just realised the pun, lol!), but if she's only wearing them for the odd jumping round or gallop, she should be fine anyway.
 
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MorganmFred

New member
For a general rule of thumb, you should be able to get about 2-3 fingers under the boot comforably. If your horse is like my horse, and loves to pull his bell boots off, then a little smaller is ok. Normally, my horse would wear a large or sometimes even an extra large, but i order mediums most of the time, so he doesn't pull them off. They don't rub sores on him, but they might if they were too small. (i use pull ons by the way)

these bell boots fit very nicely
http://www.theequinest.com/images/bell-boots.jpg

i couldn't find any pictures of too small or too big...
 
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