When and Where to use protective Boots
You may see horse on televised competition wearing leg protection and wondered exactly what it is for, or you may wonder if your own horse
needs this type of protection. Although they are called 'boots', they don't serve the same purpose as 'hoof boots'. Leg boots help protect the
delicate structures of the leg from bumps against obstacles, or from the horse's own hooves. They also help support the tendons and ligaments in
the legs, as performance horses can be prone to straining these tissues. Horses have no padding from muscle tissue in the lower leg, so boots can
help prevent potentially debilitating injuries.
Unless there is a pre-existing condition that needs protection, most backyard pleasure horses do not need any type of leg protection. However,
some horses, no matter how light their workload is, are prone to over-reaching, forging, or interfering and injuring themselves. Often poor
conformation causes them to hit themselves, especially after they get tired. (Rather like you and I might trip over our own feet when fatigued.)
Young horses that are being started may hit themselves because they are unbalanced. And of course, performance horses-hunters, jumping,
endurance horses, barrel race, reiners and many others, may benefit from the support and protection of a leg boot.
Depending on what your horse's specific problem is, or what sport you're competing in, there are many boots to choose from. Manufacturers don't
always use the exact same name to describe all boots. Some boots combine functions, such as a boot that is both a sports medicine boot and skid
boot.
It's important that leg protection fits well, is kept clean and in the case of bell boots used for stabling or turn out, checked frequently in case the
boots are chaffing. Built up sweat, grit and dust can make boots uncomfortable, so cleaning them regularly is essential. Here are the most
commonly used leg protection or leg boots.
1. Bell Boots
These boots encircle the pastern and the bell shape covers the entire hoof. They can be made of rubber, heavy synthetic material or leather lined
with fleece. Bell boots are worn in the stall or paddock, or while ridden. In either case, they prevent the horse from hitting itself especially where
the terrain may be rough or muddy, and where a horse is negotiating obstacles like jumps, provide some protection from hitting a hard surface.
Bell boots can be worn on the front or back.
2. Fetlock Ring
A simple rubber donut, called a fetlock ring can be used during turnout or riding to prevent the horse from injuring its hind fetlocks. This ring
stretches over the hoof and sits on the lower fetlock, although you may need strong hands to do this.
3. Leg Wraps
Before there were all kinds of specialized leg boots, leg wraps were used. Polo wraps are the most comm on type used for riding and standing
bandages are used in the stable.
4. Brush, Brushing, Splint Boots
Brush boots or splint boots are usually worn on the front legs and help prevent the horse from hitting itself during hard work. Brush boots can be
used on the hind legs as well. They're commonly used during lunging (especially when canter work is being done), but also for jumping, reining
and other fast moving sports where a horse may hit its own legs with a hoof. These boots sit at or above the pastern joint and protect the lower
bones and soft tissue of the lower leg. These boots are not really for support, but for protection, rather like shin pads used in many human sports.
The thicker padding on the inside of the boot protects the delicate splint bone along the inside of the cannon bone. Brush or splint boots can be
made of synthetic materials or leather. When putting on any type of boot the straps must be done up so the tail ends point backwards. This makes
it less likely that the strap will get caught on twigs or other obstacles.
5. Shin Boots
Shin boots are most commonly used by jumpers to prevent injury to the front of the leg when hitting a jump rail.
6. Ankle and Fetlock Boots
Fetlock boots are for protection when a horse hits itself. They cover the pastern joint and fetlock areas of the lower legs. They are not meant to
provide support. They are usually made with leather or synthetic materials and lined with sheep skin or other soft material.
7. Open Front Boots
Many of the boots I've described here come in open front styles. This is because in sometimes, the rider may actually want a horse to feel when it
is hitting a jump. Some horses become complacent, and scrub over the rails of jumps. The open front boot may encourage the horse to be a little
more 'honest' about tucking up its knees and clearing the obstacle, while still providing some protection. They also allow more airflow around the
lower leg.
8. Knee Boots
It's a bit tricky to keep boots or bandages around a horse's knees, but sometimes knee protection is needed. Barrel racers and reiners are
sometimes seen with knee boots. These boots aren't really supportive, but provide extra padding to horses if they may bump their knees against
something, such as hitting a barrel in a barrel race.
9. Skid Boots
Skid boots protect the hind fetlocks and pasterns, providing support along with protection from contact with the riding surface during fast stops
and turns. You'll see these boots most commonly on reiners who must do sliding stops, and cutting horses, although English riders such as
jumpers might find they need them. They will be made of leather and fleece or a synthetic material that provides cushioning. Closures are most
often buckles or hook and loop fastener.
10. Sports Medicine Boots
Sports boots provide both protection and support. They cover the lower leg, front or back from the pastern to below the knee. They are not as
padded as splint boots, but provide more support to the tendons and ligaments. You'll most often see them on endurance horses, jumpers and
other horses that must negotiate tough terrain. They can be made from synthetic materials or leather. Some materials are designed to retain heat,
which is felt to increase blood flow to the leg. Others are made to be cool.
How to Select Horse Boots
Horse boots serve different purposes depending on their design. Some riders use horse boots to prevent leg injuries during riding or turnout, while others choose boots to
combat a particular horse’s predisposition for recurring injuries. Boots can protect a horse’s legs from interference that can lead to abrasions and splints, and are almost always
recommended for use during lungeing. Studies have shown that many boots, no matter their purpose, also help absorb some of the shock on impact as a horse’s hoof hits the
ground.
Protective boots are particularly important if your horse has big movement in his gaits, has sustained an injury, or if he interferes- meaning he has a propensity for one or more
hooves to strike another leg during movement.
Horse boots are made of a variety of materials, including easy-care neoprene and plastic, sheepskin, leather and gel. Various types of horse boots may have hook and loop
closures, buckles, or hook and stud closures. Regardless of the differences between styles, most protective horse boots come in pairs with a left and a right boot, with the
closures of the boots designed to be on the outside of the horse's leg. If the boots are not clearly marked left and right, the closures should still end up on the outside of the leg
with the ends facing toward the rear of the horse. If the closures were located on the inside of the leg, they could interfere with each other, come undone or cause the horse to
stumble.
The array of horse boots on the market might seem overwhelming initially, but if you identify your main goal in putting boots on your horse, along with the types of horse boots
appropriate for your riding discipline, your decision will become easier. Add to that your preference for materials and your budget, and your field of choices narrows even more.
There are five main types of horse boots: Cross country jumping boots-Designed to protect your horse through the rigors of cross country courses, these boots are usually
made of a fairly lightweight, strong material. They'll have durable strike pads to provide extra protection to the interior side of a horse's leg. They usually have heavy duty hook
and loop closures, are easy to clean, and do not absorb water, which would add weight. When choosing boots for eventing, some riders prefer those that reflect their team or
stable colors. Examples of cross country jumping boots are: Dalmar Eventer Boots, which provide ventilation, Woof All-Purpose Boots and Eskadron Cross Country Boots.
Open front jumping boots-These boots typically have elastic straps and traditional hook and stud closures, though some styles offer hook and loop closures. The open front
design encourages a horse to be more careful going over jumps as the horse will feel a fence pole if he hits it. The boots provide strike protection from the back hooves for the
tendons in the back of a horse's leg. You can find horse boots made of synthetic materials, such as the Eskadron Flexisoft Boots, EquiFit T-Boots and Veredus Nero Carbon
Gel Boots, or horse boots made of leather, such as the Dover Premier Leather Open Front Boots and Pessoa Fleece Lined Open Front Horse Boots. Open front boots are
usually placed on a horse's front limbs, while ankle boots are placed on the hind limbs. Riders generally choose a set of matching open front and ankle boots in conservative
colors. These boots are permitted in the jumper ring but are not allowed to be worn in the hunter ring. Dressage/flat work-Boots designed for dressage protect a horse's legs
from interference, and can be a time-saving alternative to polo wraps. Dressage boots are usually lined with fleece or neoprene, and are made of materials that are easily
cleaned with water. Because of the tradition of elegance in dressage, popular colors for dressage boots are white and black, and some riders choose brown boots to coordinate
with their chestnut mounts. Boots (and polo wraps) are not permitted to be worn in a dressage test, but they may be worn in the warm-up area. Examples of dressage boots are:
Dover Pro Sport Boots, Dressage Sport Boots and Equilibrium Stretch and Flex Flatwork Wraps. Support boots-This type of boot is engineered to support a horse's tendons
and ligaments. The boot surrounds the leg and has a strap that cradles the horse's fetlock joint to prevent hyperextension. Horses with a history of or predisposition to support
related injuries (such as suspensory injuries) can benefit from this type of boot. Support boots are available in a wide variety of colors. Examples are: Professional Choice
Ventech Sport Elite Boots, Equilibrium Stretch and Flex Training Wraps and Eskadron Pro-Active Boots. All purpose splint boots-Splint boots are a necessary accessory for
horses that interfere. All purpose boots have a reinforced inner strike area and are usually some of the most affordable types of horse boots. Support boots are available in a
wide variety of colors. Examples are: All Purpose Galloping Boots, Devon-Aire Splint Boots and Davis Splint Boots. How to Estimate Your Horse's Boot Size
Most boots are available in small, medium and large sizes, and a few manufacturers produce boots that are scaled to fit ponies and extra large horses. Some manufacturers,
particularly those that produce support wraps, provide sizing charts with their product packaging. In general, the height, weight and breed of your horse in combination with the
circumference of its leg, will provide you with an estimation of the appropriate boot size to try on your horse. If you have a small horse with refined bones, perhaps a large pony
or Arabian that weighs less than 1000 pounds, you'll probably need small sized horse boots. Many horses require a smaller size boot on their front limbs and one size larger
boot on their hind limbs.
Most Thoroughbreds of average bone and an average height of about 16 hands will require size large boots, while warmbloods and sport type horses may need large or even
extra large boots. Horses that fall into the middle categories of medium sized boots will be Quarter Horse and Morgan types standing anywhere from 15.1 to 15.3 hands, along
with fine-boned and smaller Thoroughbreds.
How to Check the Fit of Horse Boots
You should be able to slide one finger between the protective boot and the horse's leg. Your finger should feel snug between the two surfaces. If the boot is too big or too loose,
dirt can get inside and cause abrasions, or slide downward where it may disrupt the horse's movement. If the boot is too tight, it can damage the horse's tendons.
The length of a boot on your horse's leg should be checked as well. You don't want the boot to be so long that it rises to the back of a horse's knee and interferes with normal
movement. It should, however, be long enough to cover most of the cannon bone area as well as the inside of the fetlock.
Tips: When fastening horse boots, be sure to use even pressure on each strap as you work your way down the leg. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for your type
of boots, and be careful not to over-tighten them. Remove boots from your horse's legs as soon as possible after your workout to allow any accumulated heat to escape and to
allow the skin and hair to dry. Keeps the boots clean and free of accumulated dirt, grime and sweat which can be irritating to a horse's sensitive skin.