Western Kentucky University Research Recommends Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots for Hoof Protection, Traction & Reduced Pressure
Dr. Jennifer Gill and Gabriella Lynn of the Western Kentucky University Equine Science Department (WKU) completed the first independent university study comparing hoof boots to traditional metal shoes.
They chose their preferred boots, Cavallo Trek Boots, for this study. Results confirmed what those in the horse community have been witnessing since 2006. Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots benefit horses – by providing comfort, protection, shock absorption and minimising potential hoof damage.
Jennifer Gill Discusses the Results of the WKU Hoof Boot Study:
The study focused on surface area, force, and pressure exerted on horse’s hooves while traveling on the hard surface of asphalt. Scientists used FujiFilm imaging to determine the amount of pressure felt in the horse’s hooves. This film procedure allowed the scientists to see dynamic pressure through color mapping.
“The Cavallo Hoof Boots protected the entire hoof itself, which we thought was very beneficial, especially over some other types of hoof protection, such as horseshoes,” Gill said. “We also found that the tread of the Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots was thicker and would provide more space to contact with the ground than a metal horseshoe.”
Results in Favour of Cavallo-Booted Horses
“We found that the Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots was significantly lower in pressure than the other two treatments,” Gill said. “And this is what we expected from our data. We would have expected that the Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots would have been lower —especially with a hard terrain. This was good news for what we were expecting to see.”
“The contacting surface area with the Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots was significantly higher than the other two treatments,” Gill continued. There was more tread that was in contact with the ground than would be with the steel horseshoe and the steel horseshoe with Equi-Pak.
“Based on this result, we would say that horses would have better traction in the Cavallo Trek Hoof Boots and be better able to dissipate those forces and pressure because of the increases in surface area,” Gill said.
To read the published study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, CLICK HERE.
