DIY Moisture-Wicking Hoof Boot Pad Covers

​Supplies
You will need your (2) horse boot pads (for template), waterproof marker, large kitchen or utility scissors, and (1) old no-bows horse leg bandage wrap.

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​​Step 1
Line up your boot pads on upper and outer stitched edges of the bandage wrap. You will want to use as much of the outside factory stitching to save labor and keep layers in place.

Step 2
Using a waterproof marker, trace outline of each pad.

Step 3
Using sharp kitchen or utility scissors, cut the outline. Be sure to leave the top and outer edges intact. The center stitching of the no-bows will help keep the fabric and foam in place.
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Step 4
Once cut out, label the left and right pad and the pad size. This will come in handy if you have multiple boots and pads to deal with.

Step 5
Put the boot pads back on to the cutouts to check size and shape. Trim any uneven edges now,  before sewing.

Note: The extra white in the lower right of both pads needs trimming.
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​Step 6
Use nylon invisible thread or light fishing line for durability and waterproofing. Pin all three layers in place where loose.
 
If sewing by hand, whip-stich around the outside edge, joining up the upper and outer factory sewn edges of the no-bows.
 
If sewing by machine, set to a stitch similar to 07 in the photo.  It is a secure edging stitch. Do some trial runs on the remnants to adjust length and width of your stitch.  I moved my setting to 2.0 length but kept the 5.0 width setting.

Step 7
Start by joining the factory stitching to your new stitches and keeping all three layers pulled together. Stitch your way all around the pad. This is where the pinning helps.
 
Inspect both sides to make sure you sewed edges all the way through. Re-sew where edges not covered by stitches. Trim any excess outside of the stitching. The end result will look something like the photo.
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Step 8
Put your nifty moisture-wicking pads in the hoof boots, on top of the regular pad, directly in contact with the hoof.  Hold the pad in place as you put the boot on the hoof.
 



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Alternatively,​ you can place the pad directly on the upraised hoof and install the boot over the top.

Care of pads
If your hoof boot is approved for 24/7 use, these wicking pads will last 2-3 days.
 
In other boots, you can rotate them daily top/bottom and flip them (then top/bottom again) to get 4 days use out of them.
They can be brushed off, hosed off and left to air dry or washed and dried in a machine.

Enjoy this little labor-saving device you made yourself!