How important is it for boots to have 'cooling' vents?

[floradora09]

Looking at getting some Premier Equine Extreme Eventing boots for my new TB (although won't be doing proper XC until late summer!). Some models have special air vents which IMO don't look very nice and are more expensive. But how important is it to have air vents or cooling means? Is it a necessity, or just a selling point for fancier boots? Thanks! xx

 

[Birker2020]

Apparently my friend who has just qualified as a vet physio says that as part of their course they studied this and apparently it is beneficial in cooling tendons down. However I think its aimed more at the professional market (top range BE) rather than the average horse owner who does the odd one day event where I can't really see them being that effective as you don't have the same level of stamina/length of course, etc. But of course I may be wrong, thats just my impression! That's why I'm a secretary and NOT a vet physio!

 

[floradora09]

Haha! Well next year I was planning to start BE with him, but we'd probably only go up to BE100 (PN) so maybe cooling vents aren't a must...?

Everyone on here is so helpful!

 

[teddyt]

Vents are only any good if they work and the rest of the boot material isnt a good insulator. Whatever boots you use you should have them on for a minimal amount of time and cool the legs after exercise.

The theory is that above a certain temperature there is more chance of cell death, hence tendon damage. But do your homework, the vents need to be in the right place and the rest of the material ok too. As far as i now there is only one boot that has been tested but no data has ever been released!

Personally i would go for prolites. they are light, dont absorb water (which will insulate) and they offer excellent protection.