Horse Hock Shields: Initial Review

While Izzy isn't super thin skinned, I do have to watch his hocks in the summer time. Despite having a relatively mild summer that came in on the heels of a super wet winter, the skin on Izzy's hocks is taking a beating.

This side is worse than the other side.

When I was volunteering at M.A.R.E., I was frequently asked to dress Sadie in the evenings. Sadie wore upside-down bell boots on her front feet to cover her fetlocks and hock boots on both hind legs. I had never seen the hock boots before, but they seemed like a great idea. A few weeks ago, the skin on Izzy's hocks started to show some wear and tear. I tried to treat the wounds with coconut oil - a staple in my med kit, and when that didn't work, Scarlet Oil. I could tell that neither one was working, so I ordered a pair of ​Click Horse Hock Shields.

One hock boot and strap.

I've only just started using them, so I truly have no idea how effective they are, but I do like the idea. The boot itself is really just a fleece-lined cap that covers the hock. Both sides of the boot have a velcro receiving end with a strap that goes across the front of the hock.

You lay one end of the strap on the outside and velcro it shut.

The boots have double velcro closures on both sides which allows for a pretty custom fit.

One end of the strap is in place.

Once both velcro tabs are closed, you can then tighten or loosen the inside and/or outside tabs in order to get the degree of snugness needed to keep the boot in place. Of course, the trick is getting it tight enough to stay on without causing a rub or sore. The package does stipulate that these boots aren't recommended for horses in pasture or turn out. Even though Izzy lives turned out, I decided the boots were worth a shot.

Left boot in place.

The good thing is that if they annoy Izzy too much, he can reach around and worry them free. I've seen him remove bell boots from his hind feet, so these should be child's play - although I hope not. I'll let you know if they work or not. With the Big Brown Horse, I wouldn't bet on it. He HATES wearing anything.

Remember the winter blanket debacle? Yeah. He prefers to be naked.