Horse tack question

[elnedro]

14 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

Replacing velcro is easily done (if you have a sewing machine).
I repair a lot of horse tack, and replacing velcro is a reoccurring theme. I use a patcher sewing machine to do it, and the biggest "problem" is that once in a while the sewing thread will become frayed while sewing on the male part of the velcro, but I just restart the stitch then and that's it.

Brgds Jonas 

I don't think they know how to use a sewing machine.  I always catch them hand sewing things that really should be machine sewed.  I don't have one either, but my leather work is all hobby and if there is any sewing involved it's basic hand stitching. I'd love a patcher, but I also live in a 1 bedroom apartment in Los Angeles thats full of my hobbies, so no room for another machine.

 But this is good to know... I think I might know someone who could help with that.  Appreciate it!

[Mulesaw]

@elnedro I think I might have a "pattern" for splint boots at home (I am at at ship right now for work). It is from an old German saddler book. As far as I remember, it's pretty much just a drawing, but it might give an idea of how to make it, The book is a reprint of a really old book, so the closing mechanism is simply small straps and buckles. You could put the straps or the buckles on some elastic straps, and then you'll get pretty much the same effect as with a modern velcro closure.

The book is so old that the sizes might not fit a modern horse. I made a halter where I followed the suggested sizes, and it didn't fit my wife's horse at all.  So my best suggestion for splinter boots would be to ask your friends if they have a set that they are going to throw out anyway, and then cut them apart and use them as patterns for a leather version. You'll probably need to add some extra space for stitching but you would still end up with something in the ball park of what will fit their horse.

I found those by Googling, they feature regular straps and buckles combined with elastic straps. https://www.cactusropes.com/gear/leather-splint-boots.asp

Brgds Jonas

[elnedro]

@Mulesaw I kinda wondered about just reverse engineering a pair that were destined for the dumpster, thanks for confirming my thought.  

Hadn't thought about using elastic with the buckles.  it would solve the problem of fine tuning adjustments beyond what you can do with a strap, my only concern would be the longevity of the elastic, I've yet to find any that don't start losing their stretch within a few months. 

But it does give me an idea of using a ratchet buckle, like for snowboards.  Wonder if those would hold up better than velcro.

 

[TomE]

This velcro bell boot uses a sandwich of velcro tabs. https://walshproducts.com/products/velcro-bell-boot-with-fleece-147f  I haven't tried this one but the price is not much more than plain rubber bell boots, and Walsh is a quality brand.  @Silverd's leather boots are a work of art and the closure looks very secure.  In my experience, heavy rubber bell boots have the right amount of weight and flex to stay in place on the hoof during work.  Thankfully, our shoe puller mare is now barefoot and pregnant so I am not dealing with bell boots as often.

[Mulesaw]

8 hours ago, elnedro said:

Hadn't thought about using elastic with the buckles.  it would solve the problem of fine tuning adjustments beyond what you can do with a strap, my only concern would be the longevity of the elastic, I've yet to find any that don't start losing their stretch within a few months. 

I think you would have to find the same type of elastic that goes into making elastic girths for horses. I purchased a roll of 40 m from a company called H. Seal Elastics in England. They were the only company that I could find that produces this type of elastic. 

But you don't have to invest in a complete roll. Often it is much cheaper to buy a brand new elastics girth at some outlet, and then cut it up and use it for spareparts. 
Once every year or so, the local riding school has a flea market, and I try to go there and buy old girths and other horse tack items, just to get the buckles and such for spare parts. That could also be a solution for you, at least that way you won't have to invest a huge amount of money on a prototype. 

I am not in any way familiar with tack shops in the Los Angeles area, but you could just go to a tack shop and look at the different bell boots and splint boots they have on display. That could give some inspiration.
Veredus makes some very good splint boots. And I am sure that there are other good brands out there as well. It also comes down to what the rider like and what will fit the horse perfectly.

A ratching buckle is an interesting idea. You might want to test the sound first, by touching the horses leg and closing the buckle. Some horses are more sensitive to new sounds as others, and if the horse's brain thinks it is a sound associated with danger, it will be a risky business to put on any equipment with that sound. It is not to discourage you, but it would be a pity to have spent a lot of time and made a set of tack that can't be mounted on the horse once it is completed. 

Brgds Jonas

 

[elnedro]

10 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

I am not in any way familiar with tack shops in the Los Angeles area, but you could just go to a tack shop and look at the different bell boots and splint boots they have on display. That could give some inspiration.

Guess I know where I am going this weekend. 

Good point about testing the sound.  I've got a ratchet buckle from fixing a pair of rollerblades I can use to test.  Appreciate the suggestion/forewarning