Boots for jumping - reccomendations pretty please!

[MrsMurs]

Hi there,
Been doing some research on which boots I need for my gelding. Im going to be doing some low level sj as well as xc schooling with a view to attempting a local ode or hunter trials at the end of the year.

I'm not sure what is right for each phase, ie. Do I need tendon and fetlock boots for sj and xc/event boots for xc? Can you use brushing boots in sj or do these not offer the appropriate protection?

For xc country I've been looking at the tri-zone Allsport, the Clarendon event boots amd also the woof wear event boots.

Can anyone with a tad more experience than moi advise on what sort of boots (or all of them) I need and recommendations on which you think are the best/safest etc.?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Templebar]

Depending on your horse you dont NEED to use boots. My mare events and hunts, if the xc looks beefy and i feel we might need protection i use some xc boots which are just better brushing boots with a strike plate. However we don't use any for SJ.

She is an ID x so plenty of bone, doesn't brush or move close, i don't stud on the inside. I avoid boots as especially SJ i want her to be able to feel and pick up, not to be lazy with her legs.


I would ask someone who knows you and your horse if you really need them. I prefer without as it avoids legs getting too hot and at the level im competing dont feel they are necessary.

 

[MrsMurs]

Mmmmmh, very interesting. I currently don't wear any for flat work or hacking, but I've been using front brushing boots for fast work and jumping as he does ever, ever so slightly dish inwards and the horse is new to me (booted in last home for jumping so following suit atm).

What sort of brushing boots come with a strike plate?

 

[Templebar]

I think mine are second skin ones it just means the tough pad on the sides extends around the back a bit, i suppose calling it a strike plate is wrong as those would be hard like a tendon boot this is just tough leather and neoprene.

TBH a horse that moves close is most likely going to catch themselves doing circles when doing flat work than anything else. So if he hasn't caught himself maybe try without. I think get someone to video you so you can see how close he gets. What type of build is he and what level are you jumping/schooling at and how easy does he find it. Most people just boot everything up regardless of if they are really needed or not. But the more he needs to work to do what you want then he is more likely to make a mistake. My mare finds everything i ask jumping wise pretty easy within her scope so she is not likely to hit anything.

 

[Shay]

Another vote for don't boot unless you have to! Lots of people think they are "protecting" their horse when in fact they are risking overheating the structures within the leg and weakening them. As you go up the grades and heights there is an increasing need to boot for protection as the effort becomes greater. But at lower levels it is far better not to unless the horse has a conformation issue. Templebar's idea of videoing him is a good one.