Tack Guru

The Davis Soaking Boot

My TB recently suffered from a bad abscess. A rock worked it’s way under his hoof pad and the abscess came out the heel bulb.

It was swollen and painful. I needed to soak it in Epsom Salts several times a day.

I can remember soaking a horse’s foot before Davis Soaking Boots were widely available. Often times the process was more painful than the injury, at least to the horse owner. It went like this:

• Heat water in a tea kettle, pour into a bucket with plenty of Epsom salts.
• Next, put horse on cross ties.
• Put bucket of hot water and epsom salts in front of him.
• Lift the hoof that needs soaking and attempt to place it in bucket of hot water. Horse resists putting his foot in the water several times.
• Horse finally stamps down in the water, spraying water and Epsom salts all over you.
• Horse stands still for three seconds, then lifts foot and knocks over the bucket, spilling water all over the aisle.
• Begin again.

Now, you simply mix up the hot water and epsom salts, put the boot on the horse, pour the mixture into the boot and you’re in business!

There is a strap at the top that allows you to tighten the boot. I often let my horse snack on hay in his stall or even graze while they are soaking.

The bottom line:

I have found the boot stays on very well and it holds enough water to make the soaking process work. They don’t even know they are being treated. I like this product so much that I bought it in two different sizes: one size fits on the bare hoof and the other fits over a shoe. That gives me the flexibility to use it in a variety of situations. Definitely, a product that works.