Hind boots in showjumping controversy

[meleeka]

I saw this this morning
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/world-cup-jumping-hind-boots-carlos-enrique-lopez-lizarzo-649819

The statement seems to confirm that hind boots were used for a purpose other than protection. I know little about showjumping but wonder what the purpose of these boots was and how did it achieve this odd action behind?

Video here
https://youtu.be/q3R4o2pNB0w

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I thought it odd that the FEI spokesperson said that boots would be checked immediately before the next competition. Were boots not checked before the horse started the round in question?

I can only imagine that either there was something additional to the normal design inside the hind boots which touched the horse as she lifted her hind legs to clear the jump, or that they were fitted in a particular way, so as to encourage the horse to lift her legs particularly high over the jumps.

 

[ester]

Presumably they are talking about pinch boots (which are said to make horses more aware where their legs are and finish their jump correctly), and the rule change which is being phased in 'for protection only'. Not sure why they opted to phase it (or whether this proposed change has been accepted as it was last year).

http://www.worldofshowjumping.com/e...ing-Committee-s-list-of-proposed-changes.html

 

[ester]

Oh the statement from the FEI mentions olympic qualifying periods being the cause of delay.

http://www.grandprix-replay.com/us/article/5026/admara-a-storm-in-a-jump-cup-

 

[meleeka]

I’ve now googled pinch boots and it appears they are a training aid. It seems odd that they would stay on for competition. You wouldn’t do a dressage test with draw reins!

 

[Mule]

I know someone who's horse tends to plow through jumps on occasion. I've seen him schooling with these boots and the horse does lift it's hind legs better when wearing them. I don't know how they work or if they cause pain/ discomfort but they do appear to get the horse to lift it's hind legs

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I know someone who's horse tends to plow through jumps on occasion. I've seen him schooling with these boots and the horse does lift it's hind legs better when wearing them. I don't know how they work or if they cause pain/ discomfort but they do appear to get the horse to lift it's hind legs

I guess the clue is in the name - "pinch boots".

 

[Mkw]

There are different types of boots designed to make the horse more aware of it's hindlegs in one way or another. In my teens I worked at a SJ stable in Germany and at that time it seemed everyone where using boots wit led in them - they had "pockets" where you could add small led plates to give them more or less weight. This made the horses pull there hind legs up higher. They were also used at competitions. Not sure if they got banned or just went out of style, but a few years later, the pinch boots got popular and apparently they still are. They don't exactly hurt the horses but well, as the name suggests, they pinch (and no, they don't need to be super tight to work) and make the horse pull the hind legs up more.
I don't get why any of these boot types were ever allowed at competitions, but they were/are and you can't really punish a rider for using them, if they are not against the rules.

 

[Mule]

I guess the clue is in the name - "pinch boots".

Well yes, good point