Brushing boots while hacking?

[Silverspring]

Well I feel like a pretty rubbish horse owner at the moment I never put brushing boots on while hacking, my Arab has never worn them for the last 18 odd years of ridden work (all hacking/endurance she doesn't do circles) and to be honest she has never been injured while being ridden, well at least not an injury that boots could prevent...at least until last week!

She came home from a quiet hack round the fields with a tiny puncture on her tendon, I wouldn't have noticed it had I not been taking her hoof boots off as there was only smidge of blood. I cleaned it and waited for lameness or heat but nothing...for a week, then she got kicked in the field and 24 hours later raging heat and swelling. Vet came out and she has cellulitis so needs anti biotics and bute for 6 days all this could have been prevented by using brushing boots.

So she now has boots all round! So who else is doesn't boot up for hacks? It probably was a complete fluke that she got hurt but I won't risk it again!

 

[CAH7]

I'm afraid I put knee/brushing boots on my youngster as he has a tendency to lose concentration and fall flat on his face! Had a very expensive experience a few years ago when hacking out my aunt's mare without boots and she right went down on her knees - scarred for life - and I was not popular! So, anyway, I do boot up, but only because of these experiences!

 

[EmmaJaneWilliams]

My horse's legs go every which direction so always booted up even right up until the minute she goes into the dressage arena. How about using flexi boots as they are really light weight and made to measure. I hope she gets better soon!

 

[FionaMc]

Mine has never worn boots on a regular basis - it's done her well for the last 16 years. I've recently put her in overreach boots as her back feet were a bit long in the toe and she was forging, but a farrier visit seems to have fixed that.

The only other times we've used anything with any regularity is when going cross country or tendon boots for SJ. I really am not a fan of how hot her legs can get with boots on, or the worry of them slipping/moving/getting caught/etc.

What are the best boots for general, day-to-day wear in the school and out hacking?

 

[Hippona]

I use them for hacking as he is a bit close behind......plus he favours the occasional ''lob-yourself-sideways-spook''.......when you see the scuffs on them its not surprising they do injure themselves.

Forgot the other day...I was taking him through the gate thinking....'something's not right here' .....he looked naked and gangly without them

 

[Umbongo]

I use them for my youngster as he looses concentration too and almost falls flat on his face! My last mare plaited slightly with her front legs and I used them for her just in case.
I just use the Woof Wear club boots for hacking and schooling.

 

[Captain Bridget]

Mine wears brushing boots all round as he is close behind and you can see the scuffs on the boots. He also is a bit clumsy and will trip sometimes whilst out, over tree roots, rocks etc, and just want to be on the safe side.

 

[monkeybum13]

I must admit I only use brushing boots whilst hacking because they are reflective.

On the other hand I couldn't imagine going out without knee boots on Lacey, however she is a gangly giraffe so I wouldn't put it past her to fall over!

As for over reach boots, unless needed I won't use them, they can do far too much damage.

 

[Doncella]

Nothing wrong with my horses' comformation or movement but I wouldn't dream of hacking out without a full compliment of boots, brushing, knee and overreach.

 

[Firehorse]

i bought a full set of brushing boots for my boy as he had a lot of scars on his legs when i bought him. after a while i noticed there were no marks on the hind ones, so stuck them on ebay and only use the fronts now, which are scuffed to pieces. he's only shod on the front and his legs are really skinny, so it makes me feel happier that he wont injure himself.

 

[Wobblywibble]

Mine wears no boots of any kind, ever! She is 22 and does occaisonally stirke into herself, but not drastically and never badly enough to think about boots.

 

[Silverspring]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hacks naked but my lesson has now been learned to the tune of a £160 odd vets bill. I bought her a set of premier eqine air flow event boots as I do worry about her legs getting hot. Will see how they get on, she about fell over when I put the back boots on, don't think she's ever had anything other than travel bandages on her legs before :s

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

mine always always always wear bandages all round, and over reach boots.

 

[girlmoose]

Yes I use brushing boots, I can see the scuff marks and when he is out in the field tearing about he always brushes.

Don't feel bad though. Many horses never wear boots for hacking and never get injured. It is very bad luck and I hope your horse feels better soon.