Do you turn out in boots?

[myprincess]

My gelding came in from the field lame he is sound now but have thinking of turning him out in brushing boots.
Is this a good idea or will it do more harm than good?
i was thinking with the warm weather it might keep heat in his legs and damage his tendons but scared of him knocking himself again. After he overreached last year and cut his fetlock I turned him out in over reach boots only in the day then when I brought him in at night I took them
off but they still managed to rub him!
So how many of you protect your horses legs in the field to am I best off leaving him be
thanks in advance

 

[misskk88]

If he became lame from knocking into himself in any way, then yes I would be tempted to put boots on.

We have a mixture of horses turned out in boots, or left without. Mine is without, although one of her field buddies has overreach boots on due to an old injury and to avoid her knocking it again. The other goes out in brushing boots because she tends to like a good old buck and bronc and it known for knocking into herself.

If you are tempted to, why not just try and keep an eye for any rubbing? If they don't the great, but if not possibly try a different size boot?

 

[Cabaret]

I've never heard of tendon damage from heat kept in by wearing turnout boots. If you have a source that provides this information, I'd be very interested to see it!

Most of our horses go out in boots, some to prevent from knocking old injuries, and some just seem to have a knack for coming in with scrapes all over their legs from being rambunctious. None have ever incurred tendon damage from it, though you do have to be careful to ensure they fit very well to prevent rubbing or turning. On very hot days, we tend to leave the boots off to prevent the excess sweat from creating rubs or discomfort.

In your situation, I would likely try boots!

 

[myprincess]

Thanks for your replies, I'm just a bit paranoid about them
Overheating his legs but think I may invest in a pair n stop worrying! Can
Anyone recommend a pair? Should I use normal brushing boots or buy a pair of proper turnout boots?

 

[NellRosk]

No, I find it a bit silly tbh. Horses are horses and not designed to be wrapped up in cotton wool, the only time I ever boot is for XC or showjumping when I'm competing. Everything else, hacking, schooling, jumping at home I don't bother booting and my mare knows she can't rely on them and has never knocked or overreached. I do think they get used to boots and depend on them if you boot for every occasion.

 

[PolarSkye]

If there's a chance he will run around more than usual (new horse in field, hunt going through yard, etc.), then yes I do because he is quite close behind . . . otherwise, no I just leave him to get on with it. I don't even boot or bandage for fast flatwork - just hacking and jumping (and XC/hunting).

P

 

[Spring Feather]

I've never heard of tendon damage from heat kept in by wearing turnout boots. If you have a source that provides this information, I'd be very interested to see it!

You've surely heard of soft tissue damage though due to horses legs overheating in neoprene boots?

OP no I would never turn a horse out in boots.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My gelding came in from the field lame he is sound now but have thinking of turning him out in brushing boots.
Is this a good idea or will it do more harm than good?
i was thinking with the warm weather it might keep heat in his legs and damage his tendons but scared of him knocking himself again. After he overreached last year and cut his fetlock I turned him out in over reach boots only in the day then when I brought him in at night I took them
off but they still managed to rub him!
So how many of you protect your horses legs in the field to am I best off leaving him be
thanks in advance

I hate turning out in boots and do what I can to prevent it. It has to be last resort and no other choice before I do , Like the recent issues with my boy.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

ours go out in 4 over reach boots(neoprene type which dont rub) to avoid over reach and coronet band scuff injuries, which can be a devil to heal.

if we KNOW they are going to mess around (eg new horse arriving) we boot up for a few days only.

i dont generally like boots for turnout all the time due to rubs and heat.

 

[joulsey]

Cabaret, there was a post on here a while back about boot and over heating tendons etc, although I doubt I will be able to find it now...

 

[FireFly29]

I would boot up if I thought my horse might charge about, such as if I was turning out at a new yard, or if my horse had been in for a while eg box rest.
Normally though my horse only has overreach boots on in front as she does sometimes overreach and pull her front shoes off!

If your worried about overheating your horses legs you could try and get some ventilated boots, I think N.E.W do some mesh type brushing boots.

 

[rara007]

On a normal day- no way. When a new one is introduced then yes to the precious ones.

There's lots of research on boots heating or not being significant, I think for a normal grazing horse the tendons won't get anywhere near the temperature of a galloping tendon. For a horse looning for hours however...

 

[Daytona]

I've always turned my horses out in XC boots front and rear and over reach boots

Never had a horse with tendon injury as yet , but what I have had is boots with holes ripped in them

God only knows what legs would of looked like without them on

So for me pro's outweigh any cons about heating tendons etc.

I'd never turn out without boots

 

[Nudibranch]

Im sorry but I think its a sad state of affairs when horses cannot be turned out without boots.

I have no reason to believe this of course, other than 30 years of turning out without boots, without any leg damage whatsoever in 7 different horses, including 3 very frisky youngsters. I foolishly like to think that millions of years of evolution has equipped them with everything they need to be able to move around....

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Im sorry but I think its a sad state of affairs when horses cannot be turned out without boots.

I have no reason to believe this of course, other than 30 years of turning out without boots, without any leg damage whatsoever in 7 different horses, including 3 very frisky youngsters. I foolishly like to think that millions of years of evolution has equipped them with everything they need to be able to move around....

Evolution designed horses to roam on praries in stable herds with naked hooves, and it was survival of the fittest in the long run. Wolves picked up the stragglers.
I would not use neoprene for more than a short time turnout, but I might put one or more boots on if horse accident prone, I have seen some boots which seem to make them sweat, and I would look for something better. turning out after box rest or something I might put boots on for an hour or so if they are going to hoolie.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Depends on the horse and what it is required to do.

With hundreds of pounds worth of entry fees and registration fees being paid at the beginning of the season, plus thousands of pounds being spent to produce the horse for the season, you bet my lad went out in boots, cotton wool, bubble wrap and with written instructions not to get into trouble.

I don't bother with boots on the others.

 

[MileAMinute]

Nope, never have and never will. The only time I'd consider would be over reach boots if they were prone to over reaching and pulling shoes off.