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What are Old Mac’s™ used for?
Old Mac’s Multi-purpose Horse Boots™ are a genuine replacement for the metal shoe in day-to-day riding. Old Mac’s will assist injury prevention and/or rehabilitation as well as protect both stallion and mare against kicking injuries and slipping during serving. Old Mac’s can also be worn during transportation.
What benefits are there for horse and rider if I choose to use Old Mac’s?
Peace of mind for both you and your horse! Old Mac’s provide Hoof Suspension™ helping prevent concussion-related injuries to the horse’s limbs. Old Mac’s unique high-tech performance outsole offers improved traction, eliminating slipping during transportation as well as preventing hoof and lower limb injuries. Old Mac’s potentially mean fewer veterinary bills and will give your horse more confidence.
Are Old Mac’s comfortable for my horse?
Design is unrestricted to allow full freedom of movement. This keeps pressure low on the hoof wall and spread evenly throughout the whole boot, so that no one area receives concentrated and potentially harmful pressure. All materials are fully flexible and soft against the pastern.
Are the boots easy to put on?
Yes. The simple and practical design of Old Mac’s means that anyone can fit Old Mac’s Multi-purpose Horse Boots. The user-friendly fastening system ensures optimum fit and security, providing maximum confidence and comfort for your horse. See our putting on page
Where can I ride with my Old Mac’s™?
You can ride anywhere, on any terrain, at any speed, with 100% hoof protection.
Do Old Mac’s have traction?
Old Mac’s have more traction than a metal shoe, but not as much as a shoe with studs. The superb traction on all surfaces includes aggressive mountainous terrain, creek beds, asphalt, loose gravel, and wet grass where horses can lose their footing. Old Mac’s all-terrain sole pushes out mud, sand and debris. The high-performance tread remains intact rather than becoming smooth and slippery.
How do Old Mac’s cope with hoof growth and expansion and do they allow the hoof sufficient slide as it contacts the ground?
Old Mac’s unique outsole design and sizing allow for natural growth, and expansion and contraction of the hoof. This design not only allows for necessary movement at ground level but also forward movement of the whole hoof within the boot. Suspension offered in the toe of the boot ensures the whole hoof can safely and comfortably project forward in a fast stopping situation. It is this action, along with the small amount of slippage allowed by the sole of the boot, which minimizes stress delivered to the leg.
Can my horse wear Old Mac's in the paddock?
Yes, you can turn your horse out wearing Old Mac’s — either to get him used to wearing or breaking in the boots, or to provide protection in the case of injury or any other veterinary application.
How long can I leave Old Mac’s on my horse?
We recommend you DO NOT leave Old Mac’s on any horse longer than 24 hours at a time due to the risk of bacteria buildup from sweat.
Can I use Old Mac’s as a treatment boot?
Yes, you can use vet wrap or duct tape to transform your all-terrain drainage boot into an all-terrain treatment boot. The high quality specially-formulated materials will not break down.
Do I need to gradually break my horse into Old Mac’s Boots?
Yes. It is recommended you give your horse time to adjust to wearing Old Mac’s. The first time you fit your horse with Old Mac’s, just walk him out. Gradually increasing the duration and length of rides wearing boots will ensure your equine friend has become accustomed to his new “hoofwear.” Too much too soon can lead to chafing. If time is of the essence and your horse has particularly sensitive skin, Old Mac’s Pastern Wraps, vet wrap or a similar bandage can be used effectively in the initial stages of using Old Mac’s.
If I choose to only use Old Mac’s for transportation purposes, how do I select the correctly-sized boot to wear with metal shoes?
Please note that using Old Mac’s over shoes voids the wear warranty. However, if required by your situation, simply measure your horse’s hoof WITH METAL SHOES ON and follow Old Mac’s sizing instructions. Wearing Old Mac’s during transportation provides total hoof protection, eliminates the problem of your horse throwing a shoe, and minimizes the chance of injury, including hoof wall bruising. When you arrive at your destination, your horse will be ready to compete.
Are Old Mac’s™ worn on all four feet?
Most horses will only need boots on the front feet, as the front feet bear approximately 70% of a horse’s body weight during rapid movement — this action causes most concussion-related injuries to the front lower limbs. If you intend to ride your horse over considerable distances, or frequently work on hard or uneven surfaces, you may require Old Mac’s on all four feet. If you are competing at a top level in any discipline, it is advisable to take full advantage of the superb traction on Old Mac’s outsole and use boots on all four feet. Not only will you and your horse have the added benefit of security and comfort, but fitting Old Mac’s on the back feet can increase the arc of the back hooves, therefore shortening the stride and allowing the front hooves to clear themselves after breakover. This is a great advantage to horses that overreach at high speed. For transportation, Old Mac’s can be worn on all four feet.
Do I require the same size Old Mac’s front and hind?
Not necessarily. You should follow the sizing instructions to gain an accurate measurement for EACH HOOF. For the perfect fit for performance work, your horse may require smaller sized boots on the rear.
Are there circumstances under which my horse should NOT use Old Mac’s?
Old Mac’s MAY not be suitable for horses suffering conformation and/or gait abnormalities. This includes overreaching, forging, cross-firing, toe dragging and excessive hoof twisting under weight bearing. If your horse shows any of these traits, Old Mac’s can be of great benefit during transportation or for veterinary applications. However, you should confer with a qualified veterinarian and/or Old Mac’s representative before using them as a replacement for metal shoes.
What are Old Mac’s Pastern Wraps and do I need to use them?
If time is of the essence, or your horse has particularly sensitive skin, Old Mac’s Pastern Wraps are ideal to offer that extra protection in the initial stages of breaking in the boot. Made of quality breathable and aerated Neoprene (foam), Old Mac’s Pastern Wraps simply pull on over the hoof and attach onto the inner sides of each boot. Sold in sets of two (one per boot), Old Mac’s Pastern Wraps are available in two sizes: small and large. Use small pastern wraps with Old Mac’s boot sizes 0-4 and large pastern wraps with sizes 5-8. For those new to Old Mac’s, Pastern Wraps will ease any concerns about rubbing the horse’s leg. Old Mac’s wraps can also provide extra fill around the pastern to inhibit small debris from entering the boot when the gap between the pastern and the boot is excessive — particularly useful for finely-boned horses or when riding in sandy conditions.
Do I need to waterproof my Old Mac’s™?
No. All materials used in the production of Old Mac’s are of the highest quality and 100% waterproof. No extra waterproofing treatments are needed.
How do I clean Old Mac’s?
After each ride, sponge or hose down your boots with cold water and remove grit with a brush if necessary. Mud and dirt should be removed from Old Mac’s while they are still wet. Allow them to dry naturally. DO NOT expose the boots to naked flame or use artificial heat to dry, as this may damage the upper and outsole materials.
Are Old Mac’s guaranteed?
Yes, for 90 days, repair or replacement.
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