Boots when travelling in hot conditions

[MrsMurs]

Morning all,
Need to travel my boy this eve and it’s going to be Hot!! ?
My travel boots are fleece lined so not keen to use. Would brushing boots front and back plus over reach on the front be sufficient? He’s a very laid back chap and stands very quietly, plus the journey is only half an hour. Will get all windows open too! ?
Would be grateful to hear your thoughts
?

 

[twiggy2]

I wouldn't boot him for travel especially if he is a good traveller.

 

[Michen]

Yes. I never use travel boots.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I never boot for travel. Nor do the main transporters.
Over reach boots if it's a potential shoe issue, but otherwise I just wouldn't.

 

[Trouper]

A couple of good professional transporters I have used won't boot at all.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

We never boot and the big transporters dont. You should see how some of the top racehorses arrive at the airport off big planes (I used to watch them daily when working at the airport). Most arrive with just tape/vetwrap on hooves to make sure they dont lose a shoe. Never seen one get off in boots.

we've recently done 1,000 mile journey with our four (transporter did it obviously) and not one scrape on them.

I definitely wouldnt boot him, Very few horses need boots for travelling.

 

[Muddywellies]

I also never use boots. Horse travelled over from the continent without any.

 

[alexomahony]

Gosh, though I realised transporters don't use them and I wouldn't use them on journeys that are longer than a few hours I had no idea not using them was a thing (barring hunters)! I always use them when travelling mine (never more than a couple of hours) and presumed everyone else did too. Their legs are never warm though as the boots let a fair amount of air in.

 

[IrishMilo]

I never boot either.

 

[milliepops]

Gosh, though I realised transporters don't use them and I wouldn't use them on journeys that are longer than a few hours I had no idea not using them was a thing (barring hunters)! I always use them when travelling mine (never more than a couple of hours) and presumed everyone else did too. Their legs are never warm though as the boots let a fair amount of air in.

I almost always travel mine in boots of some kind. Not the unshod/retirees but the shod ones wear over reaches as a minimum and usually brushing boots all round - travelling boots if it's cool weather. i've been glad of them having boots a few times, not specifically when on the move as mine are mainly pretty good travellers. but over the years there have been a few incidents like tripping down the ramp or sliding off the side with a dodgy loader. I'd rather a boot got battered than the horse's leg.

 

[Cortez]

Never booted a horse in 50 years of travelling them, often internationally. Most pro transporters won't take a horse with travelling boots on.

 

[milliepops]

I can see why it's relevant if you're wanting to travel a horse long distances but tbh what pro transporters do or don't do isn't really a deciding factor for me, when figuring out what to do with my horses on my box on short trips people should do what they and their horses are comfortable with.

 

[cold_feet]

I never boot either.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I find it both interesting and relevant that pro transporters do not allow horses in travel boots. They transport horses all the time, I’m sure they’d boot horses if they thought it was better and safer.

I used to boot or bandage because it was the done thing, but I don’t now. IMHO boots are more hassle than they are worth, but I would bandage a bad traveller - horses seem to tolerate bandages better than boots.

 

[sport horse]

Travelled horses for 50+ years UK and Europe for competitions. |Never boot.

 

[milliepops]

I find it both interesting and relevant that pro transporters do not allow horses in travel boots. They transport horses all the time, I’m sure they’d boot horses if they thought it was better and safer.

I'd imagine there are factors such as not wanting to have to go down a whole lorry load of horses to sort out one that's dislodged a boot, and other practicalities, as much as whether it's essentially right or wrong to boot for travelling.

I just think it's a subject that HHO has a consensus on, there are others similar, where people who chose to go against it are frowned upon and the pro transporter angle is often brought up as the reason why people don't boot.

I've already explained why I have found boots valuable in the past and I'm happy with my decision, i have max of 2 horses on at a time and I know they are happy in their boots and also that the boots fit well, whichever type is chosen. If someone thinks they ought to use boots because of x y or z well considered reason, then all I'm saying is they should follow their instincts,not base decisions on what professional transporters do - they are not able to provide a personalised service, after all.

 

[HashRouge]

I don't boot anymore, though I used to. I think brushing boots would be fine if you're keen to have something on, but I suspect he would be happier without anything given the heat.

 

[lottiepony]

Use to use fibregee and bandages on my old horse as she was a moo to load so saved on the odd scrape/cut when she pratted acout but once she got better I didn't bother. Don't bother on my latest horse either, he's never worn travel boots and actually i think he would have a mental breakdown if he did lol

 

[humblepie]

If you watch the unloading at the races often nothing on although you will see the shoes taped to avoid being pulled off.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Morning all,
Need to travel my boy this eve and it’s going to be Hot!! ?
My travel boots are fleece lined so not keen to use. Would brushing boots front and back plus over reach on the front be sufficient? He’s a very laid back chap and stands very quietly, plus the journey is only half an hour. Will get all windows open too! ?
Would be grateful to hear your thoughts
?

I would not travel a horse without travel boots what ever the weather, just because it is hot does not mean an accident, be it vehicle or horse is any less likely. Would rather my horse sweated under them, than damaged their legs or ripped one open in accident easy enough tohto sponge his legs down when you arrive at your destination, that repair damage.

 

[PoniesRock]

I travel mine with boots on. I actually traveled her with a friends horse earlier in the year and friends horse went down in the trailer, leg went under the partition and broke my horses travel boots. Which would have been her leg if she hadn’t had boots on.

I think the whole boots/no boots is very much individual to horse and owner.

 

[lamlyn2012]

I usually do. If I've been to a comp locally and it's very hot I may come back without them. But mine is a very good traveller and very sensible loading/unloading. As others have said though, some may jump off the ramp or go down in the lorry, or have incidents with their neighbour if not travelling alone. It's one of those where you know your horse but if you have boots you have protection.