Some hoof boots can be used over metal shoes, but you should check if this will invalidate any manufacturer’s warranty first.
It must be noted that booting over metal shoes even with pads is of little benefit to the horse, other than to protect the sole from penetration, and will not absorb significant amounts of shock; removing the metal shoes first is the only way to do this!
We have heard that some people use hoof boots over shoes for extra shock absorption on old or injured horses, however. There’s also the potential for using hoof boots for extra protection over horse shoes whilst travelling, although again, this isn’t what the boots are designed for! However, their soles could provide extra support, as well as traction with the floor of the trailer or lorry if you have an anxious traveller. The Old Mac G2 or the New Mac normally fare best for use over horse shoes.
There’s also the potential to use a hoof boot on a horse that is usually shod if he loses one shoe. Ideally, planning ahead for such eventualities, you should measure your horses’ hooves with his shoes off (say, when he’s being shod, after your farrier has prepared each hoof for the new shoe). Then you will want to choose a hoof boot that is an appropriate size. The Easyboot Trail, Easyboot Glove Back Country, Easyboot Original and Easyboot Epic are all relatively easy boots to use and will work well as a ‘spare tyre’, and they are available to buy individually.
