Chain Boots

[Carlosmum]

My Physio has suggested I make up some chain boots for pony's back legs as part of a regime to encourage him to use himself properly. Has anyone done this? What did you use ? and how did you attach the chains.

I am thinking several short lengths threaded onto some velcro around his pastern. Not looking to add any extra weight just stimulate a bit more movement from behind.

I have seen a few pictures of these in the States based on a leather strap which look like something out of Fifty Shades

 

[be positive]

I used some on one of mine but they proved difficult to keep on and kept coming apart, I found using a different type of boot on each leg, swapping about most days, I had full length boots, fetlock boots, sausage boots, bandages to use, just as useful along with plenty of varied polework.

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

Based on how some of these action chains look, velcro could work:

http://www.herronstack.com/Action-Chains-H206A.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Tough-1-Chain-Action-Horse-Boots/dp/B015OS2GRW

 

[Cortez]

Sorry, WHAT are these things supposed to be for exactly?

 

[milliepops]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong OP) it's about increasing proprioception in a weaker or injured limb. Have seen it used at the therapy centre at Hartpury, they put lightweight chains around the fetlock of a horse rehabbing a hindleg and it increased hock flexion and lift.

It looked just like an ordinary piece of chain that you could buy from a hardware store. I think you have to be careful that the horse reacts appropriately though otherwise you could end up with them exaggerating a movement in an unhelpful or non-beneficial way. Has your physio demonstrated how this will work on your pony, OP?

 

[be positive]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong OP) it's about increasing proprioception in a weaker or injured limb. Have seen it used at the therapy centre at Hartpury, they put lightweight chains around the fetlock of a horse rehabbing a hindleg and it increased hock flexion and lift.

It looked just like an ordinary piece of chain that you could buy from a hardware store. I think you have to be careful that the horse reacts appropriately though otherwise you could end up with them exaggerating a movement in an unhelpful or non-beneficial way. Has your physio demonstrated how this will work on your pony, OP?

My physio suggested it to help with recovery after injury but it does need to be used carefully under physio guidance, as above I found mixing ad matching boots had more of a beneficial effect as mine seemed totally unaware of the chain most of the time and it kept coming off.

 

[Carlosmum]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong OP) it's about increasing proprioception in a weaker or injured limb. Have seen it used at the therapy centre at Hartpury, they put lightweight chains around the fetlock of a horse rehabbing a hindleg and it increased hock flexion and lift.

It looked just like an ordinary piece of chain that you could buy from a hardware store. I think you have to be careful that the horse reacts appropriately though otherwise you could end up with them exaggerating a movement in an unhelpful or non-beneficial way. Has your physio demonstrated how this will work on your pony, OP?

Physio noticed he has some stiffness in his stifle, which is discouraging him from stepping through properly. The plan is to try the chains combined with pole work and see how he goes, depending on how much work i can do this time of year. We will review in the spring. I am waiting for her email with my instructions!