Boots (for horses)

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I've always put brushing boots on my horses, and have added over reach boots as required (mostly for TBs!),
until last year when I got an unshod 6YO 'sports cob' He didn't wear boots when he came to me, and I simply didn't bother putting them on him.

I've recently had his first ever set of shoes put on him as we are hoping to event this year - last year he slipped over on wet grass in the SJ warm up at the one proper event we tried, and went flat onto his side knocking me unconscious, so I am quite keen to use studs when needed to try and stop a repeat of that!

This has led me to think that I should now be putting boots on him, as the potential for damage if he does strike into himself is surely more if he is shod. He has never shown any signs of brushing, am I being sensible or over cautious?
 
For eventing I would, especially XC. I don't use boots anymore on a daily basis but will put them on for road work as he is very spooky and is a splay your legs and drop shoulder type of spooker so I could imagine him knocking himself and I don't want to risk it.
 
Yes sorry should have said, it was more on a 'day to day' basis that I was meaning - I will definitely be using them if we EVER get to compete! (not got my own transport = not getting to go anywhere :( )

I might start using them out hacking, the little sports cob thinks he is a TB and does spend quite a lot of time leaping dramatically sideways at stuff and slipping....
 
I've never booted on an everyday basis (only for competition) and I don't boot for hunting, but a few weeks ago mine slipped out hacking and knocked a hole on his fetlock. Then it was just like biting your cheek - you can't stop re-biting it, and that's what he was like so since then I've bunged a pair of brushing boots on him for hacking. They're coming off this week.
 
I boot both of mine all round for hacking, they are multi-tasking boots as they have hi vis reflective straps ;)

I've been glad of them a couple of times.

The only negative for me is having more stuff to clean...
 
milliepops said:
I boot both of mine all round for hacking, they are multi-tasking boots as they have hi vis reflective straps ;)

I've been glad of them a couple of times.

The only negative for me is having more stuff to clean...
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That's a good point, if I had to hack on the roads I would probably use hiviz brushing boots all the time.
 
I have recently started using boots again for hacking. My boy knows exactly where his legs are, and doesn't usually bash himself, but he's a spooky prat out hacking. I put boots on him, as we were planning some canter work, and when we got back, there were large chunks out of each back boot, where he'd walloped himself whilst breakdancing! He doesn't leave the yard without them now!
 
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