Gatorbootz Bell Boot

4.67 out of 5
(21 customer reviews)

$50.00

Durability with a dirt-free latching system.

Description

Thinline gator bootzThe patented latch design offers durability and protection for your horse and peace of mind for you during turnout.

Redesigned from the ground up, this one-piece polymer horse bell boot offers unmatched durability and protection for your horse. GatorBootz has a patented latch designed to be opened by humans but not by equines. By eliminating typical Velcro closures, the lifespan of bellboots are extended and the hassels are reduced.

Sizing and Fit

Gatorbootz bell boots make contact with the hoof, not the soft tisse, making sizing simple. It’s determined by hoof size so if you know your horse’s shoe size, you’ll know just what size Gatorbootz to order. Currently available in Medium (shoe size 1) and Large (shoe size 2+). Size exchanges are easy if needed.

 

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Longevity

The average pair of Gatorbootz horse bell boots lasts 10 months. Some horses even achieve up to 36 months of turnout protection. GatorBootz also come with a 5-month full product replacement guarantee.

The Latching System

The GatorBootz’s unique latching system makes it easy to release the boot with just two fingers. Simply hold the top of the boot in your left hand, buckle facing you, pull down and out with your right hand, disengaging the zip tongue at a 45-degree angle.

The left and right boots are symmetrical, which means you don’t have to worry about left and right boots. To ensure your latch remains closed, slide the latch to the last setting.

Opening the Boot
GatorBootz bell boot

New designs mean learning a new skill. This boot’s latching system is unique. Hold the top of the boot (black portion) in your left hand, buckle facing you, pull down and out with your right hand (also on the black portion), the zip tongue needs to pull down at a 45-degree angle. Once you do this it will become easy and second nature.

Tips and tricks: if you find the boot a challenge to open the first time, spray a little WD-40 inside the latch. You will not need to repeat this after the first operation. Also, hose off your boot if the latch becomes encumbered with mud to lubricate the latch.

 

The Emergency Release

If your bell boot latch ever appears to be stuck, use the emergency release trick, simply place a hoof pick under the buckle, raise it up a bit, and then the strap will slide out.  Note, not intended for daily use, only if you need to quickly release the latch.

Safety

The latch is designed to break at the rivets behind the buckle should your horse manage to get the boot hung on something.

Operational Use

Designed for longevity. The bell portion is made of the highest strength polymers (not found in any other bell boot). Designed primarily as a turn out boot. The patented neck and latch design allows this boot to fit without rubs. GatorBootz is the most durable bell boot on the market.

During normal turnout and riding the latch should stay securely closed. If you find the latch opens occasionally, your boot may be too small, please contact us for a larger size.

Extreme Conditions

FernandoReins
Endorsed by Fernando Cardenas, DVM, 3H Vet

The latch may release in very aggressive riding situations such as cross-country competitions or trail riding through mud. Securing the boot with a product like duct tape will ensure your boots will remain on in the toughest conditions.  Simply tape all the way around the boot, covering the latch. Boots generally do not release in daily situations like turn out.

Also see other similar categories including our Treeless saddle pad selection, and Western horse tack and gear.

See other boots including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional information

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 6 × 6 × 6 in
Size

Large, Medium

GatorBootz

Pair, single boot

Sizing

Measurements:

The medium #1 size is 4 inches high 3 ½ diameter at the ankle and 5 ½ diameters at the bottom of the bell.

The large #2 size is 4 1/12 inches high 3 ¾  diameter at the ankle is and 6-inch diameter at the bottom of the bell.


Gatorbootz come in two sizes: Medium is a Size 1 (fits Size 1 shoe), and Large is a Size 2 (fits  Size 2 shoe). The variable latch and unique design accommodate nearly every ankle size, so you can fit this boot on just about any horse.

 

Care Instructions

We recommend a daily hosing, especially if you are using them for turnout. They wash well in the machine in cold water too.  Enjoy your long lasting, hassle free boots!

Materials

Gatorbootz’s are a 100% Polymer design. The bell portion is constructed of a moderately flexible plastic. The stiffer the plastic, the longer they will last.  The patented latch is plastic and attaches with plastic rivets within the bell portion. This allows the boot to not fail but provides an eventual break system should the horse hang the boot on something.

The specially designed polymer construction is stiffer than traditional gum boots so they will not tear or deteriorate. GatorBootz will not retain moisture, which is perfect for turnout in wet weather or working in soggy conditions. It also makes clean up a snap. (For ThinLine fans, This boot does not have any ThinLine foam, it is simply a new design by the company ThinLine)

Features

  • Easy On-Off Fastener
  • One Piece Polymer Design
  • Hose off for simple cleaning
  • Horses cannot remove boot
  • Latch designed not to fail
  • Longevity –  Durability – Toughness
  • Protection
  • No Rub Collar design resists chafing
  • Balanced
  • Light Weight – No Moisture Retention
  • Fits very large horses (size 2) and average horses (size 1)

21 reviews for Gatorbootz Bell Boot

  1. 5 out of 5

    Elaine Castelao

    I am on day 111. Who knew anyone could make a bell boot to not only last that long but look just like they did the day I put them on. Amazing! Thank you ThinLine!

  2. 5 out of 5

    Emily Johnson

    I spent a little bit of time on the website reading about them and I’m 100% sold! My guys always lose them in the field and sometimes even cross country. These bell boots sound like the perfect fix to these problems.

    I went ahead and ordered a pair and I’m super, super excited to get them!!

  3. 5 out of 5

    Emily Johnson

    I got my ThinLine Gatorbootz in the mail a few weeks ago and I LOVE them. They actually have stayed on my horse for more than a few hours, which has been the record with all other bell boots that I have tried. They have completely survived the past few weeks being on him, no rubs, no rips, and he hasn’t lost them a single time being turned out in them! I can’t wait to take them out for a spin on the cross country course and see if they stay put through the water.

  4. 5 out of 5

    Angel Belt (verified owner)

    My Quarter Horse is quite talented when it comes to losing a bell boot during turnout. I was at a loss keeping matching pairs and trying to maintain the budget. I came across these boots quite by accident and thought, “why not”? It’s been a little over a month and he still has the matching pair!! I also use them for schooling, and showing. Once I learned how to get them open, I kept wondering, “where have these boots been all my life”? I LOVE THEM! They are sturdy, no rubs, quick & easy to get on and off, and easy care. This is now my boot of choice, so it’s time to get a second pair! The versatility of this boot to go from field, to schooling, to showing, is unmatched. They have paid for themselves two fold!!

  5. 5 out of 5

    Holly (verified owner)

    Stiff and durable. These will not flip up and won’t be pulled off – even by the other front foot. They are not easy to get off so practice opening and closing them off the horse first!

  6. 5 out of 5

    Jaclyn Javurek

    Every once in a while a product comes along and it’s like “hmmm how did these not exist earlier and how did I survive without them?” GatorBootz are one of those products.
    I am very familiar with ThinLine, as I have been using ThinLine saddle pads for years. Recently GatorBootz have completely taken over my barn. I used to have to buy at least 4-6 pairs of bell boots every year, but the GatorBootz are amazing at holding up! Game changer really. Traditional bell boots sometimes rub the hair off my horse’s coronet bands/pasterns and this is not a problem at all with GatorBootz.

  7. 5 out of 5

    Morgan Meulman (verified owner)

    We ordered these boots going on 2 months ago, and I’ve waited to (literally) “field test” them before I wrote a review… AWESOME. They have completely solved bell boot issues with the Houdini of the barn. He’s turned out 24/7 and has comfortably been living in these boots. No rubs or irritation, and equally as important- he really can’t get them off! If you’re wondering, in our experience, they do float around his pastern- the red clasp will sometimes end up behind his heel- but it’s not a problem at all, and just as easily turns back to the front as its worn. I probably wouldn’t use them for everyday schooling with impatient horses, as it seems to take ME a minute to get them on/off, but they really change the game for turnout, and I imagine they would be wonderful for cross country.

  8. 5 out of 5

    Phyllis Pink (verified owner)

    These are fantastic. I can’t get over how great they work. I use them for turnout and I never expected them to last this long.

  9. 5 out of 5

    Nancy Peterman

    I have a quarter horse named Patrick who needed bell boots on his hind feet as well as his front. The problem we had was that he was continually removing the back left boot no matter what brand or style we used. There are still about 5 bell boots out in his pasture somewhere. Gatorbootz has solved the problem! Patrick has kept them on 51 days so far. This is so much better than scouring the field trying but oftentimes not succeeding to find the missing boots. The price of the Gatorbootz has been offset by not having to buy so many replacement boots.

  10. 1 out of 5

    Lesley E Dumais (verified owner)

    Unfortunately, these did not hold up to our master mind bell boot remover. No the tabs did not break. Our guy figured out(took him a couple of weeks) how to get them off. Our barn manager had difficulty getting them off, but the horse is too clever for his own good.

  11. 5 out of 5

    Dana Renee Wagner (verified owner)

    I purchased these in September 2016. They are still on my horse and functional which is quite a feat because I have a chronic overreacher that regularly destroyed bell boots. They stay on 24/7 in full time turnout and I haven’t had a single issue. I don’t dread going to check on my horse and finding him missing a bell boot or a shoe! He used to pull shoes every two weeks at minimum and he hasn’t pulled a shoe in 3 cycles. The clasps are beginning to get banged up (scratched and scuffed from being knocked by his hind feet) but work just fine. They do rotate some but the clasp ends up either at his heel bulb or on the lateral hoof wall. He doesn’t have any irritations or rubs with them either – I’m a convert! Worth the $$!

  12. 5 out of 5

    Heather Jinkins (verified owner)

    I LOVE these boots!!! I bought a pair in July last year and my horse has worn them every single day.
    I am replacing mine after 9 months of continuous use. I had been buying a new pair every month or so and would lose shoes with regular bell boots when my horse would over reach . Thinline’s Gatorbootz fixed the problem! These boots are worth it! I have saved a ton of money not having the ferrier out to fix a thrown shoe or not having to constantly replace other boot brands.
    I LOVE THESE BOOTS!!! I can not say enough good things about them! I recommend Gatorbootz to all my friends ❤️

  13. 5 out of 5

    Rebecca Block (verified owner)

    I really love these boots, my horse has to wear bell boot 24/7 and he shreds the velcro closures on other boots. My only option was the old fashion pull on rubber ones, which are almost impossible to get off and on for me. The Gatorbootz are simple to put on and off, and while Jango finally learned how to remove them he only gets them off about once a week. I think when the boots come in a smaller size that issue will be solved. They are tough and easy to use and I will recommend them to my friends.

  14. 4 out of 5

    Kaylynn Royer

    My horse is known for pulling off bell boots-the Velcro closure ones he would pull off with his teeth and make into play toys and the pull on ones he takes chunks out of when he gallops around. I ordered these and am pleasantly surprised. I used to go through 1-2 bell boot pairs a month (so long as he didn’t rip them with his teeth) and I’ve had these for 5 months and they’re still going decently strong. He is base narrow and over tracks a bunch so when he’s galloping around, he will occasionally pull them off (1 or 2 times every 2 months), HOWEVER unlike every other single pair of boots I’ve tried before, I can put them back on and they’re still in great shape. There are a couple small tears around the edges of the red fastening due to him pulling them off, but otherwise they look great. It’s still a bit of a pain that he can pull them off, but for me, it’s worth it since I can actually re-use them each time. The “no turn” knob on the back doesn’t really work for my horse, but these boots have never rubbed him and he’s got pretty sensitive skin. Overall, I’ll probably purchase a back up pair so that I don’t have to go and search for the lost bell boots right away.

  15. 5 out of 5

    Tasha K.

    I love these boots. My mare can’t seem to keep standard bell boots on for more than a few weeks, either tearing, breaking or pulling off, she’s constantly mismatched and we are always replacing her bell boots. We are on our 2nd pair of Gatorbootz, replacing the first ones with an updated tab that was a little easier to remove. These boots do require a little bit of a learning curve to learn how to get one and off, and when caked with mud can require a little extra work, but they are absolutely worth it. She’s been in these boots for about a year and has just now “lost” the first one. They have held up great with minor cosmetic wear on the boot, and just starting to wear on the tabs. In the event they do get a little stuck, sticking a flat head screwdriver in the tab releases them quickly and easily. The only time she doesn’t have them on is when she’s at a show and in and out of bell boots several times a day with multiple people handling her. We use the Velcro tab closures for convenience, but as soon as she’s home, she’s back in these. Hasn’t lost a shoe or clipped herself since we’ve had these. We are super happy and highly recommend you give them a shot. Worth every penny.

  16. 5 out of 5

    Alex (verified owner)

    These boots are nothing short of amazing…. My paint gelding has never had a pair last than a few hours… He’s an absolute nightmare I can’t tell you how much I spent replacing these almost weekly until I gave up. He would not only take them off, but destroy them. I found these and wow am I glad I did!!! These are literally indestructible and I have finally won the battle. 2 years her hasn’t been able to break them yet!!!

  17. 4 out of 5

    Lark (verified owner)

    I have two sets of these, but I’m not sure why because they wear like iron and I am sure the first set will never wear out. Though they aren’t appropriate for 24/7 wear in truly muddy conditions, here in California that means my horse can wear them fill time for 8 months out of the year. I have found a boot pulled off maybe… four total times in the two years I have owned them? As opposed to daily with other boots. They don’t rub, they fit well.. but they are a BEAR to get on. They aren’t that hard to get OFF, but getting them on always fills me with a sense of dread. Luckily this only really happens when I have to take them off for the farrier, so once every 6 weeks for peace of mind is fine! I do recommend them, as long as you don’t live in heavy mud.

  18. 5 out of 5

    Jessica (verified owner)

    A must have! These bell boots are great – recommended by our farrier after my gelding moved into bar shoes, which he is prone to pulling off in turnout. He’s had them on for four months and no rubs, no warping or tearing at all. They’re removed each time he’s shod, but otherwise he wears them all the time. They’re a little noisy during work, but still a must have.

  19. 4 out of 5

    Kristine (verified owner)

    These are very durable boots and also fit well but are really a pain to put on which can be time consuming and quite a workout. LOL. I have a hard time getting the tabs all the way through.

  20. 5 out of 5

    LISA HYNES (verified owner)

    Our big boy, nicknamed Wreck it Ralph destroys all horse gear in his path. I believe he has met his match with these boots. All.othet boots lasted 2-3 days before he destroyed them. It has been a month so far, and they are still going strong!! As previous reviews state, there is a bit of a learning curve on how to put on/take off the boots, but once you understand how, it’s easy. Would recommend to anyone who struggles to bell boots on their horse.

  21. 5 out of 5

    Amy Busalacchi (verified owner)

    These belle boots are true to size and have
    Been holding up so far for the past 9 months. I will never buy any other belle boot. My horse wears them 24/7. Prior to
    Owning these, my horse would
    Rip up cheaper styles within 2-4 weeks and I constantly had to keep buying. Once you learn the trick to get them off it is simple. Thinline had a recent sale and I just had to stock up on these at a great price

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    Do you have these with fleece lined?
  1. Q Do you have these with fleece lined? answer now
    A HI there. The way these boots are designed you do not need fleece. The boot is only in contact with the hoof so it does not rub and is very easy to keep clean!
  2. Can you leave these on all the time or just for turn out and riding?
  3. Q Can you leave these on all the time or just for turn out and riding? answer now
    A Thank you for your question! The GatorBootz attach to the hoof instead of your horse's soft tissue so it's fine to leave them for longer periods of time with regular checks for rubs or wear.
  4. We have a 15.3 HH Quarter Horse mare and normally purchase cob size Arma bell boots. Would the medium size Gatorbootz fit our Quarte Horse?
  5. Q We have a 15.3 HH Quarter Horse mare and normally purchase cob size Arma bell boots. Would the me...... Read more answer now
    A Thank you for your question! The Gatorbootz are sized by shoe size, so if your horse wears a size 1 shoe, the medium size will be the best fit. If your horse wears a size 2 shoe, the large size will be the best fit.
  6. What exactly does the replacement warranty cover? Does it cover loss, my horse loses the pull on bell boots constantly and i sometimes cant find them in his large field.
  7. Q What exactly does the replacement warranty cover? Does it cover loss, my horse loses the pull on ...... Read more answer now
    A Thank you for your question! The Gatorbootz replacement warranty covers any issues caused by manufacturing defects. Feel free to call the office for further details. 888-401-9101
  8. Will the size 1 fit a 00 shoe size?
  9. Q Will the size 1 fit a 00 shoe size? answer now
    A These boots are designed to correspond to horseshoe sizes. While the size 1 boot might be too large, we have a 30 day return policy, so feel free to give them a try!
  10. When are you going to make a larger size? My horse wears size 3 easy boots and L or XL bell boots.
  11. Q When are you going to make a larger size? My horse wears size 3 easy boots and L or XL bell boots. answer now
    A Thanks for your question! At the moment, there are no plans to make these in a larger size, but will pass your request along. We offer a 30 day satisfaction/no hassle return guarantee, so you may want to order the large and give it a try!
  12. my horse has chewed his to the point of barely still usable, wondering how the warranty/guarentee works? Going to purchase a second pair but would olove to have the first pair replaced?
  13. Q my horse has chewed his to the point of barely still usable, wondering how the warranty/guarentee...... Read more answer now
    A Thank you for your question! All ThinLine products are covered by a 30 day Satisfaction Guarantee and a 1 year limited warranty. Please email us at [email protected] and include your date of purchase and product details.
  14. Is it possible to buy 1 boot?
  15. Q Is it possible to buy 1 boot? answer now
    A Thanks for your question! The Gatorbootz Bell Boots are only sold in pairs.
  16. Will size L fit big Warmbloods (17 hands and over)?
  17. Q Will size L fit big Warmbloods (17 hands and over)? answer now
    A The GatorBootz fit on the hoof of the horse so sizing is done by shoe size. Horses can be tall and yet have small feet so just find out what shoe size your farrier uses. A size two shoe fits the large boot, a size one shoe fits the medium boot.