Castle Hoof Boots

Made of light neoprene rubber, the Castle Hoof Boot offers extreme comfort, protection

Need a light, breathable neoprene hoof boot from a fourth-generation Massachusetts maker?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026

Castle Plastics manufacturing facility in Leominster, Massachusetts where hoof pads and boots are made in the USA

Castle Hoof Boots by Castle Plastics, Inc.
Finally an easy solution to aid your horse's comfort! Made of light neoprene rubber, the Castle Hoof Boot offers extreme comfort, protection and breathability for the hoof.

About Castle Plastics, Inc.
Castle Plastics was founded by Gabrielle Serafini in 1920. He and his bride Emilia migrated from Castello di Alvito, Italy to Leominster, MA in the United States in 1911. Today, Castle Plastics is a leading manufacturer of horseshoe pads in North America. Our introduction to the equine industry was sudden, unplanned, and really accidental. One day, a family friend was observed shoeing one of his horses from his racing stable. During the process, he began to nail a hoof pad between the hoof and the shoe. From there, research and inquisition began in regards to the value the hoof pad served is assisting the horses to perform.
The rest is History...

Castle Plastics, has involved in the hoof care industry for many decades and we take pride in both the innovation and quality of all the products that we have developed and introduced to the market over the years, as well as the fact that each and every item that leaves our facility is manufactured in house. We are extremely grateful to the farriers and horseshoe supply dealers that have willingly worked with us in order to help transform ideas and concepts into the many successful products that we have available today. As always, we continue to welcome and encourage any feedback from farriers, distributors, and equine enthusiasts. Our ultimate goal is soundness for the equine athlete!

So How Do I Know If My Horse Needs To Wear Pads?
Deciding when your horse needs Castle Plastics’ products is a decision that almost always needs to be made by a professional farrier. It is important to note that improper use of our products will do little to help your horse and, in certain situations, can actually irritate your horse’s feet.

Keeping this point in mind, sometimes it will be obvious to you that your horse is having issues with his/her feet. The horse may appear lame, or to be walking with an altered gait. Moreover, you may even notice a visible injury to the hoof, such as an abscess or abrasion. We offer products to help with all of these issues. Discussing your horse’s symptoms with your farrier will help determine which of our products will be the most helpful.

What makes the Castle Hoof Boot a comfort-first protector?

The Castle Hoof Boot is built from light neoprene rubber, the same soft, breathable material used in wetsuits, so it cushions and shields a hoof without trapping heat or moisture against the sole. That breathability matters during recovery: it lets the hoof protect a tender or healing foot while still allowing air to circulate, which is why owners reach for it after a lost shoe, during light riding, or when a horse is simply foot-sore. Where rigid plastic boots can rub, the neoprene flexes with the hoof for "extreme comfort, protection and breathability," exactly as Castle describes it.

Castle Plastics therapeutic hoof pads for injury recovery and rehabilitation

Who builds it, and why does that 1920 heritage matter?
The boot carries the name of Castle Plastics, Inc., a family business founded by Gabrielle Serafini in 1920 and still owned by the same family more than a century later. What began as the Castle Button Company in Leominster, Massachusetts grew into one of North America's leading manufacturers of horseshoe pads, and 2015 marked the company's 95th anniversary. Materials science, tool-and-die work, and injection molding have run through the family for generations, which is how a button maker became a trusted authority on equine hoof protection.

Castle Plastics small and large hospital hoof pads with removable treatment plate

Made 100% in the USA, manufactured in house
Castle Plastics states plainly that every item leaving its facility is "manufactured in house" and "made 100% in the USA." Production runs out of 11 Francis Street, Leominster, MA 01453, where the company controls its own materials, tooling, dies, and injection molding rather than outsourcing. For a horse owner, that vertical control is the practical promise behind Castle's stated values of "Consistency, Quality, Best Prices, and Prompt Delivery."

Castle Plastics Performance hoof pads engineered to absorb shock and concussion

Part of a complete hoof-protection system

The Castle Hoof Boot sits inside a much larger Castle Plastics toolkit that your farrier can draw on for tougher cases. The Hospital Pad, for example, features a removable plate that simply unscrews so you can soak, clean, medicate, and re-cover an injury between shoeings, and it ships in Small (6 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/16") and Large (7 5/8" x 6" x 3/16") sizes. The Hospital Plate Kit pairs one #5 3/16" Performance pad with four 5/16" bolts and a Frog Support Kit, and needs no band saw because a standard pad cutter does the job, an affordable route to treating a sore foot.

When a farrier may recommend more than a boot

Castle's Performance Pads use a harder, more durable compound engineered to absorb shock, stress, and concussion, and have been used successfully for foal extensions, flat soles, pedal osteitis, and hospital plates. The drug-free Magnetic Pads offer an alternative for navicular disease, pedal osteitis, laminitis, poor hoof growth, and stress fractures of the coffin bone when conventional shoeing has not helped. Castle's own guidance is consistent: deciding which product fits should "almost always" be made with a professional farrier, because correct application is what makes any of these tools work.

How to buy a Castle Hoof Boot

Castle Plastics sells through a nationwide network of farrier-supply distributors, with dealers listed across nearly every U.S. state plus Canada and Puerto Rico, so the easiest path is to ask the farrier-supply shop your own farrier already uses. You can also reach the company directly: Toll Free 1-800-9CASTLE, Phone (978) 534-6220, Fax (978) 534-9915, or. The friendly staff at 11 Francis Street, Leominster, MA 01453 will gladly point you to a distributor or work with you on the right product for your horse.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

Who is Castle Plastics — and how did they get into the horseshoe pad business?

Per Castle Plastics, Inc.: founded by Gabrielle Serafini in 1920. He and his bride Emilia migrated from Castello di Alvito, Italy to Leominster, MA in 1911. Today, Castle Plastics is a leading manufacturer of horseshoe pads in North America. The introduction to the equine industry was, per the company, "sudden, unplanned, and really accidental." One day, a family friend was observed shoeing one of his horses from his racing stable; during the process, he began to nail a hoof pad between the hoof and the shoe. Research and inquiry began into the value the hoof pad served. The company manufactures everything in-house and works in close partnership with farriers and horseshoe-supply dealers.

How do I know if my horse needs to wear pads?

Per Castle Plastics: deciding when your horse needs pads is a decision that almost always needs to be made by a professional farrier. Improper use will do little to help, and in some situations can actually irritate the hoof. Sometimes it'll be obvious — the horse may appear lame, or be walking with an altered gait. You may notice a visible injury such as an abscess or abrasion. Discussing symptoms with your farrier will help determine which Castle Plastics product fits.

Do pads also help even when nothing's wrong — preventive use?

Per Castle Plastics: yes — most pads are not used to directly treat injuries. Farriers use pads often to keep horses from becoming lame or tender-footed. Examples: horses with trouble growing their frogs benefit from cushion frog pads; horses whose feet grow at strange angles benefit from degree and wedge pads. The most important rule: always use a farrier you trust and respect.

What conditions can Castle Plastics pads help with?

Per Castle Plastics, farriers have successfully used the pads to treat:

Foal extensions
Flat soles
Pedal osteitis
Poor hoof growth
Navicular disease
Laminitis
Stress fractures of the coffin bone

Plus less severe cases: slightly tender-footed horses, environmental factors warranting preventive use. The decision is one a horse-owner-and-farrier partnership makes together.

How long will my horse need to wear pads?

Per Castle Plastics, the length of time varies on an individual basis — and is determined by a professional farrier. Several horses with a specialized injury or newly diagnosed disease may only need pads for approximately one six-week shoeing cycle. Other horses with a history of problematic hoof growth or frog issues may use pads for their entire lives. Per the company: "the use of pads does not mean there is anything wrong with your horse. Pads are a great tool for farriers to use to help all horses function at their full potential."

What's the full pad lineup — Degree, Flat, Draft, Rim, Therapeutic, Specialty?

Per Castle Plastics, the line currently includes over 100 total styles of pads across 8 categories:

Degree/Wedge Pads — full (closed) or bar (open). Provide support OR correct improper angles of hoof growth.
Flat Pads — full pads that cover the entire hoof. Used primarily for protection (some race-horse applications).
Draft Pads — flat or various degrees, sized larger for big-footed horses.
Rim Pads — flat or degree; correct angles + protect the toe; middle of hoof left open.
Therapeutic Pads — Hospital, Magnetic, Performance, Spider. Hospital pad has removable cover for injury treatment. Magnetic pads provide a drug-free alternative when traditional shoeing has failed. Performance and Spider pads are made of harder, more durable material; Spider pads are ideal for quarter cracks or floating an injury anywhere in the hoof.
Specialty Pads — Cushion heels, Cushion frogs, Egg bars, Pour pads. Egg bars are designed to be used with bar shoes (pre-made shape, easier for the farrier). Pour pads are intended for use with pour-in impression materials.

What about Sno Pads — and Hoof Print Impak Pads?

Per Castle Plastics, two specialty categories worth knowing:

Sno Pads — widely used during winter; recommended for any horse ridden during winter months on snow and ice. Two sub-types:

Sno Rims — open pads with a key hollow tube. Each step compresses the tube, preventing snow/ice from forming and hardening on the foot.
Snoballs — full pads with a round ball design molded in. Each step pops the ball inward, clearing any snow/ice from the hoof.

Hoof Print Impak Pads — for hunters, jumpers, Thoroughbreds, trotters, pacers, polo ponies. Manufactured from a special blend of polymers; absorb shock, stand up well, and are able to be reset. Effective for foal extensions, flat soles, pedal osteitis, and hospital plates. Great for horses that need extra concussion relief on a daily basis.

How do I order — and what's Castle Plastics' relationship with my farrier?

Per Castle Plastics, the company welcomes feedback from farriers, distributors, and equine enthusiasts. The 6-week regular shoeing cycle is the partnership rhythm — Castle Plastics encourages owners to make sure they have a farrier they trust and who comes out on a regular 6-week basis. Distributors are available across the USA. Direct contact: 1-800-922-7853 or 978-534-6220, email [email protected]. Address: 11 Francis Street, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453. Pricing varies by pad style and quantity; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and polymer-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Castle Plastics or your farrier directly when ordering.

What is the Castle Hoof Boot made of?

The Castle Hoof Boot is made of light neoprene rubber, the same flexible, breathable material used in wetsuits. Castle Plastics highlights that this construction gives the hoof extreme comfort, protection, and breathability, so air can still circulate around a tender or healing foot.

Who makes the Castle Hoof Boot?

It is made by Castle Plastics, Inc., a family-owned company in Leominster, Massachusetts. Castle Plastics was founded by Gabrielle Serafini in 1920 and is one of North America's leading manufacturers of horseshoe pads, with every product manufactured in house in the USA.

When was Castle Plastics founded and is it still family-owned?

Castle Plastics was founded in 1920, originally as the Castle Button Company. Gabrielle Serafini and his wife Emilia had migrated from Castello di Alvito, Italy to Leominster, Massachusetts in 1911. The business has changed locations and names over the years but has always remained under the same family ownership, marking its 95th anniversary in 2015.

Why is the name 'Castle' used?

The name traces back to the founding family's Italian roots. Gabrielle Serafini named his original Castle Button Company after Castello di Alvito, the Italian city his family came from, and the Castle name has carried through the company's evolution into a hoofcare manufacturer.

Where are Castle products made?

Everything is made 100% in the USA at Castle Plastics' facility at 11 Francis Street, Leominster, MA 01453. The company controls its own materials, tooling, dies, and injection molding, and states that each and every item that leaves its facility is manufactured in house.

What is the Castle Hoof Boot used for?

The neoprene boot is designed to aid a horse's comfort and protect the hoof during light riding, when a shoe has been lost, or while a foot is sore or healing. Its breathable material lets you shield the hoof without trapping heat or moisture against the sole.

How much does the Castle Hoof Boot cost?

The Castle Hoof Boot is typically sold for around $35 each through farrier-supply retailers. Because Castle Plastics distributes through dealers rather than selling all items factory-direct, exact pricing can vary by retailer.

How do I buy a Castle Hoof Boot or Castle pads?

Castle Plastics sells through a nationwide network of farrier-supply distributors, with dealers in nearly every U.S. state plus Canada and Puerto Rico. The easiest route is to ask the farrier-supply shop your own farrier uses, or contact Castle directly to be pointed to a nearby distributor.

How do I contact Castle Plastics directly?

You can reach Castle Plastics Toll Free at 1-800-9CASTLE, by phone at (978) 534-6220, by fax at (978) 534-9915, or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address is 11 Francis Street, Leominster, MA 01453.

What is the Castle Hospital Pad and how does it work?

The Hospital Pad is a Castle therapeutic pad with a removable plate designed to accelerate recovery from a hoof injury. You unscrew the plate to soak, clean, medicate, and care for the wound, then screw it back on to protect the foot, allowing the horse to be turned out and even ridden during recovery. It comes in Small (6 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/16") and Large (7 5/8" x 6" x 3/16") sizes.

What comes in the Castle Hospital Plate Kit?

The Hospital Plate Kit consists of one #5 3/16" Performance pad, four 5/16" bolts, and a Frog Support Kit. No band saw is required, because a standard pad cutter does the job, making it a convenient and affordable option for treating a hoof injury or sore foot.

What are Castle Performance Pads?

Performance Pads are made from a harder, considerably more durable material than Castle's other pads, engineered to absorb much of the shock, stress, and concussion placed on the foot. They have been used successfully for foal extensions, flat soles, pedal osteitis, and hospital plates, and are offered in #4 and #5 sizes in both 3/16" and 1/4" thicknesses.

Do Castle's Magnetic Pads really help, and are they drug-free?

Castle's Magnetic Pads are a drug-free alternative form of treatment for various hoof diseases, intended for cases where traditional shoeing has failed to improve a condition. The company notes magnetic therapy has been used to address navicular disease, pedal osteitis, laminitis, poor hoof growth, and stress fractures of the coffin bone, and the pads are applied to the hoof like Castle's other products.

What are Sno Pads and when should they be used?

Sno Pads are among Castle's most widely used winter products, recommended for any horse ridden on snow and ice. They come as sno rims (open pads with a hollow tube that compresses with each step to keep snow from packing) and snoballs (full pads with a molded ball that pops inward to clear snow and ice), both designed to prevent dangerous ice buildup in the hoof.

What are Hoof Print Impak Pads?

Hoof Print Impak Pads are made from a special blend of polymers that absorbs shock while standing up to repeated use and able to be reset. Hunters, jumpers, Thoroughbreds, trotters, pacers, and polo ponies have all benefited from them, and they are also a good option for horses that are generally tender-footed or need extra concussion relief day to day.

How do I know if my horse needs hoof pads or a boot?

Castle stresses that deciding when to use its products should almost always be made with a professional farrier, since improper use can do little to help or even irritate a horse's feet. Signs your horse may need help include lameness, an altered gait, or a visible injury such as an abscess or abrasion, but farriers also use pads preventively to keep sound horses from becoming tender-footed.

How many styles of pads does Castle Plastics make?

Castle Plastics produces over 100 total styles of pads, organized into eight categories: Degree/Wedge, Flat, Draft, Rim, Sno, Therapeutic, Specialty, and Hoof Print Impak pads. This breadth means a farrier can address nearly any hoof-related need, from correcting growth angles to protecting and rehabilitating an injured foot.