How risky is cross country?
- Thread starter all about Romeo
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Baaaaaa 
Flame_
Well-Known Member
Funny, my horse always goes out in over reach boots to prevent injury, especially at the moment when he's wearing heart bars. All the horses I take care of wear boots for turn out with a strange horse and sometimes they do after having been on box rest. I think their welfare is just fine thank you and personally I'd avoid bandages, as if the horse does decide its going to try and remove them its left with a half fastened bandage wrapped round its leg trying to move around the field. More likely to lead to disaster than boots in that situation surely? This is not something I'd be happy with a YO/YM telling me what was happening with my horses about.
OP, IME a lot of horses wake up in the morning hell bent on injuring themselves
you might as well get on with it if you want to. Once the fences get too big to get over safely if you miss, I do think cross country's fairly high risk though.
Equilibrium Ireland
Well-Known Member
I agree with all that's said about turnout boots. I won't turn out in them no matter how precious I want to treat my horses. Only read through a few posts and agreed what has been said as well as the following. When my mare came home from jumper training off went the turnout boots and she got chucked out in company. My trainer was livid and maybe rightly so as the first 2 months she kept knocking herself. Of course she did. She got used to not taking care of herself. After that 2 month period she quit knocking herself.
Surfaces. I hate deep surfaces too but what makes the surface more dangerous is people who can't condition on such surfaces. They go in doing exactly what they normally do and wonder why horse gets hurt. It really is the same as using caution on roads or hard ground. I personally think common sense training on different surfaces is better for horses than always on a perfect surface.
It's up to you what you want to do. He's your horse but as others have mentioned all sports have risk. And always remember just because you think you have them protected from everything, they will find a way to hurt themselves anyway. I used to be very uptight and panicky about every little thing when I got my first horse. Now I have 5 and am so glad as I've chilled out which only benefits them! Of course I don't turn my horses out with rusting cars and broken fencing but they have to take care of themselves a little bit.
Terri
Surfaces. I hate deep surfaces too but what makes the surface more dangerous is people who can't condition on such surfaces. They go in doing exactly what they normally do and wonder why horse gets hurt. It really is the same as using caution on roads or hard ground. I personally think common sense training on different surfaces is better for horses than always on a perfect surface.
It's up to you what you want to do. He's your horse but as others have mentioned all sports have risk. And always remember just because you think you have them protected from everything, they will find a way to hurt themselves anyway. I used to be very uptight and panicky about every little thing when I got my first horse. Now I have 5 and am so glad as I've chilled out which only benefits them! Of course I don't turn my horses out with rusting cars and broken fencing but they have to take care of themselves a little bit.
Terri
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
He is careful... he is not the kind of horse that would manage to injure himself in a padded cell!...
But he is a TB and I would rather offer that extra bit of protection then expose myself more the absolutely necessary to any potential vet bills because of a simple thing like not putting turnout boots on when he is turned out in wet/slippy ground conditions and/or with strange horses... but I do not agree with people who keep their horses in 24/7 incase they get injured! they are horses and they need to have a good amount of turnout... maybe that is part of the reason why my horse has only ever pulled a muscel in his back (messing about in the feild) because I take these procautions... they seem to suit him well! 
dafthoss
Well-Known Member
Yeah until the poor thing slips over completely...I wouldn`t have a farrier who wouldn't follow my requests
I have never had any thing studded and have never had any problems with slipping. If your horse is working from behind and you ride to the conditions there wont be a problem. If your horse is that stupid with its legs that you wont let it out in a field with out wrapping its legs up then it will surley be dangerous with studs in. Turning out in boots can really damage the tendons as it heats them to the point that the fibres start to denature and thats why many vets hate turn out boots.
Equilibrium Ireland
Well-Known Member
I get your point of view, trust me I do. Just so you know I have TB's and warmblood/TB crosses. I spent my life with racehorses. Actually the only reason my crosses are rock solid, not spooky, and brilliant rides is because they got their brain from the TB side! LOL! If one of the crosses has a dumb moment I always say, " well you didn't get that from the TB side of the family.
This horse is, from the sounds of it, your partner for life. I understand why you take percautions and worry more than most of us. Just don't let it spoil the fun you can have or if he does get hurt, do not blame yourself. I'm not a big CC fan myself but that's just me. I suck at it and so therefore I save myself the embarrassment. I bred 3 crosses from one mare. One is excelling at dressage and going CC now by a jumper bred horse, then there is mine who only gets to SJ, and one 2yo that will be pointed eventing and they think an awful lot of him. So ive probably missed the boat with my mare but it suits me just fine.
Have fun and enjoy him in whatever you do.
Terri
This horse is, from the sounds of it, your partner for life. I understand why you take percautions and worry more than most of us. Just don't let it spoil the fun you can have or if he does get hurt, do not blame yourself. I'm not a big CC fan myself but that's just me. I suck at it and so therefore I save myself the embarrassment. I bred 3 crosses from one mare. One is excelling at dressage and going CC now by a jumper bred horse, then there is mine who only gets to SJ, and one 2yo that will be pointed eventing and they think an awful lot of him. So ive probably missed the boat with my mare but it suits me just fine.
Have fun and enjoy him in whatever you do.
Terri
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
I have had horses before (not him) that have slipped over completely on wet ground... not studded up, out on a hack, so if he didn`t have studs in I would worry about this.
He can be yes... a good example of this was a couple of months ago I couldn`t work him because I couldn`t get into the tack room to get his boots out (long story) and my OH was quite puzzled as to why I refused to do anything with him without boots on... the next day we went to yard to work him and whilst on the lunge he managed to fall flat on his face doing a bambi impression with his legs and as he was staggering around trying to get his legs back under him he actually ran into a tree!
me and OH were wetting ourselves with laughter while poor horse was prancing laps around me trying to regain his composure!! So I turned to OH and said "that is why he must wear boots" he is always the first to get them now! 
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
My 23 yr old has never had studs or even road nails on in her life, & I can hand on heart say she has never slipped over in her life that I've seen anyway, & no evidence she has done it turned out. I have used them on others in the past for xc & hunting but not as a standard rule.
As I only keep in at night for a few months in winter, when I turn her out on rock solid frozen ground early am, I do put smbs on for her initial lunatic blast round, but take them off 10 mins later. And that's only because of her previous injury & age, which she is seemingly unaware of.
As I only keep in at night for a few months in winter, when I turn her out on rock solid frozen ground early am, I do put smbs on for her initial lunatic blast round, but take them off 10 mins later. And that's only because of her previous injury & age, which she is seemingly unaware of.
Suziq77
Well-Known Member
Neither of my horses wear back shoes (farrier tells me not to bother as they both have very good feet). I worry about lack of studs sometimes but this thread is making me feel a bit better....
They aren't turned out wearing boots either, even though they are show horses, for the reasons discussed above.
They aren't turned out wearing boots either, even though they are show horses, for the reasons discussed above.
Miss L Toe
Well-Known Member
I kinda get the feeling that OP is a bit too nervous to take horse X-country, so it would be a disaster, as is approaching any fence without commitment.
What about Jump Cross, is this not the way to go as all the fences knock down?
Show jumping..... I have seen bad accidents occur, and as for wrapping dressage horses in bandages , it is beyond my comprehension why one should use them to "support" the legs in the school. I had never heard of "kissing spines" till I started looking at dressage.
I use boots daily, on a youngster until he learns to balance himself, boots are then discarded, unless for some particular reason, this does not include out in a field. I have seen a vet student [final year] remove sweaty and dirty front boots [open fronted jumping boots], after a routine flatwork schooling lesson, this is madness, obviously there are boots and there are boots, I have never seen dirt and sweat inside any of my boots. I use clean neoprene in winter and clean NEW in summer [better internal surface]
While we discuss this can I please ASK people NOT to have crossed poles jammed together, they should be four inches apart to allow them to roll clear if hit.
What about Jump Cross, is this not the way to go as all the fences knock down?
Show jumping..... I have seen bad accidents occur, and as for wrapping dressage horses in bandages , it is beyond my comprehension why one should use them to "support" the legs in the school. I had never heard of "kissing spines" till I started looking at dressage.
I use boots daily, on a youngster until he learns to balance himself, boots are then discarded, unless for some particular reason, this does not include out in a field. I have seen a vet student [final year] remove sweaty and dirty front boots [open fronted jumping boots], after a routine flatwork schooling lesson, this is madness, obviously there are boots and there are boots, I have never seen dirt and sweat inside any of my boots. I use clean neoprene in winter and clean NEW in summer [better internal surface]
While we discuss this can I please ASK people NOT to have crossed poles jammed together, they should be four inches apart to allow them to roll clear if hit.
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all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
Newsflash - your horse probably WILL get injured, whatever you do.
They can break their backs rolling in the stable, or break a leg getting up awkwardly.
So get over it and just enjoy your horse.
Oh and PLEASE don't turn out in boots!!
There are many things which are bad for horses legs, but cooking it's tendons for 12 hours a day has got to be one of the very worst. Really
They can break their backs rolling in the stable, or break a leg getting up awkwardly.
So get over it and just enjoy your horse.
Oh and PLEASE don't turn out in boots!!
There are many things which are bad for horses legs, but cooking it's tendons for 12 hours a day has got to be one of the very worst. Really
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
Newsflash - your horse probably WILL get injured, whatever you do.
They can break their backs rolling in the stable, or break a leg getting up awkwardly.
So get over it and just enjoy your horse.
Oh and PLEASE don't turn out in boots!!
There are many things which are bad for horses legs, but cooking it's tendons for 12 hours a day has got to be one of the very worst. Really
I am very careful with my horse and he has made it this far without injury so I am sure he will be ok.
I do enjoy my horse... uninjured
I will continue to use turnout boots under circumstances where I feel they are needed and certainly don`t leave them on for 12 hours or more so you don`t need to worry about that
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Patterdale
Well-Known Member
I'm not worried because it's not my horse....but I really do think that you should take notice of the amount of people on here who are telling you that it is actually known to be bad for them.
Glad you are enjoying him, and hope you continue to do so
Glad you are enjoying him, and hope you continue to do so
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
I'm not worried because it's not my horse....but I really do think that you should take notice of the amount of people on here who are telling you that it is actually known to be bad for them.
Glad you are enjoying him, and hope you continue to do so
Thank you for your concern but I am experienced enuff to be able to tell if his boots were causing any problems.
I do enjoy him very much and don`t need to ride him to get that anyway... I was genuinely wanting to know other peoples thoughts on x country as I have been in 2 minds about this now for some months... I know Im abit over protective but im sure you can understand my concern to have a good mixture of work for him without being reckless and unnecessarily risking injury...
I realize he is a horse and could injure himself despite my best efforts which just makes me more protective!
Miss L Toe
Well-Known Member
There is no need to do anything you don't want to do, I am ultra careful with my boy because I only have one, don't want vet bills, and I am not ambitious.Yes I am nervous!... nervous that my horse will get injured... hence my post...
Slightlyconfused
Go away, I'm reading
It's as safe or dangerous as you want to make it..... Depends on the ability of horse and rider, he could just as easliy injure himself hacking out it's not just xc.
If yndu are not 100% commited to go xc then dont go it's that simple. As for over protective.....its your horse but at the end of the day we make them wimpy.
If yndu are not 100% commited to go xc then dont go it's that simple. As for over protective.....its your horse but at the end of the day we make them wimpy.
Montyforever
Well-Known Member
I personally have to turn out my little mare in front brushing boots as due to the laminitis risk she's only out for a few hours and being a hyperactive welsh she goes straight into a gallop from the gate and does lots of acrobatics after the 4th or 5th day of her coming in with blood running down the insides of her legs I thought boots for a few hours was probably a better idea she's not ever been ridden and has a slipping stifle, pulled tendons and millions of cuts from just having a blast around the field where as my other mare has had one injury in the 3 years I've had her which was a kick and has never worn boots in her life!
Depends on the horse really'
after the 4th or 5th day of her coming in with blood running down the insides of her legs I thought boots for a few hours was probably a better idea she's not ever been ridden and has a slipping stifle, pulled tendons and millions of cuts from just having a blast around the field where as my other mare has had one injury in the 3 years I've had her which was a kick and has never worn boots in her life!Depends on the horse really
'Lolo
Well-Known Member
Look, you don't want to go XC because you believe it's an unacceptable risk to your horse. Al won't hunt Reg because it's a risk that's not worth it- the same decision you've made regarding riding XC. If she had a different ex-racer with a different brain to Reg then she might do- as it is, she has to beg and borrow rides to get her hunting kicks!
But please don't dress this up as a welfare issue...
But please don't dress this up as a welfare issue...
overtherainbow
Well-Known Member
im sorry if this comes across as rude but i think you are missing everybody's point. turnout boots prevent minor scrapes that may see your horse have a day or 2 off work, but the damage they do is very slow to occur and by the time you notice it, it could be too late.
as someone who cares so much about their horse surely it is worth looking into why people are saying this? of course it is your choice, but make that choice from being knowledgable about both sides of the arguement!
Auslander
Well-Known Member
Agree - with Mike as well!. Dressage at higher levels puts an enormous strain on the joints, and I would say that most older dressage horses have compromised joints to a degree, and require careful management to keep them workably sound (my last three horses included!!)
A bad knock or a sprain from jumping is a better long term prospect for healing than a degenerative wear and tear related joint problem, so if I were after a totally sound older horse, I would probably look at ex hunters/eventers, rather than dressage horses.
Agree with Starzaan (and others) that turning out in boots isn't a great idea. Most kicks land on or above the knee/hock any way - I used to boot stabled horses for turnout, but 9/10, if they got hurt, it wasn't anywhere near the booted area, so I stopped.
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
I don`t hunt either.
welfare issue? when did I ever say it was a welfare issue? This is purely about whether or not Im being over protective about being worried about taking my horse x country...
all about Romeo
Well-Known Member
Apart from the fact that I, at no point asked anyone whether or not I should turn my horse out in boots, I know both sides of the argument and having boots on in certain circumstances is the best thing for my horse. I know this from experience and I do not do it because I think everyone else does...