The primary purpose of a soaking boot is to promote healing for the injured hoof and help prevent or fight an infection. They're typically made from rubber and are designed to fit over the injured hoof and to fill with a mixture of water and medicine to soak into the hoof. They come in several different shapes and sizes.
Hoof conditions that can be treated with a soaking boot include abscesses, thrush, puncture wounds, and bruised hooves. A soaking boot is filled with warm water and Epsom Salts or medicine to soften the horse's hoof and to aid the healing process of the hoof.