Jumping boots for a cob

[Sophiecollins11]

I have a 15.1 traditional cob who is not mega chunky or well off in the feather department! I brought him from a riding school where he already had splints and has not got anymore since I have owned him in the last year and a half but I will always use boots when I jump him and no one can persuade me other wise

My question is what type of boots would be best to jump him in? I currently have le mieux pro support boots but they have lost all the Velcro in 6 months and even after complaining have had no help whatsoever ever from horse health and will not be buying them again!!

So tendon boots, brushing boots, splint boots or xc boots?? I quite like the sound of tendon boots...? Brand recommendations that won't cost a fortune?

 

[Shay]

Boots for cobs are always difficult. To be honest I don't boot unless there is a reason. Overheating the tendons weakens them. That said I do boot jumping over 1m and XC.

The first thing you have to decide really is what you are booting for which will tell you what type of boots. For example if you are booting for SJ you don't want closed front boots on the front. If you are going XC you'll want proper boots behind - if you SJ you might need fetlock boots or brushing boots behind depending on what you are trying to protect against. (A splint boot is just a brushing boot really..) If you are going XC you'll want strike guards - but you don't need them SJ etc.

So - fore or hind boots? SJ or XC? Does he brush, kink over a jump or come close behind? That will tell you what type of boot you need. Then go for what make!

 

[Sophiecollins11]

Thank you for the reply, in would ideally like fore and hind boots and I mainly do SJ type jumping so would be for that more than anything else, was thinking tendon and fetlock would be good as he can get lazy and knocks jumps but they would prevent him having a massive thick boot around the fronts of his legs bean actually feel the poles?

 

[Shay]

If you are doing SJ you'll want open front tendon boots ideally - and possibly also over reach boots - on the front. Once you get much over 1m/1.10ish there is a risk that the horse will land short and bring his hind feet down on the tendons of the forefeet. Or get right under a jump and stand on his forefeet by mistake. But you also want him to feel the poles - hence the open front. If he is lazy and boots the jumps out then protecting him from feeling that knock will not help! So XC Boots, splint or brushing boots - or the support boots you have - are not really the right answer.

Hind fetlock boots are a mixed issue. If he twists himself midair, routinely brings his hind feet together or crosses them mid air (some do) or if you are doing a really fast speed class then they are worth thinking about. But unless you fit them really well they can impair the horse's ability to tuck its hind feet up correctly resulting in them taking poles from behind. You could use a sausage boot if he forges or routinely catches one hind foot with the other. If he brushes then a fetlock boot may not cover the area of strike - that will depend on where the brush occurs - you don't want to make that worse by having him catch a brushing hoof on the fetlock boot!

Like so much with horses it is really important to know what you have put on them and why - rather than just doing it because others do. We've had BS ponies for almost 10 years and now event. Our traditional cob (who hunts - but does PC SJ and ODEs inc nationals) is never booted. He doesn't need it. Others only boot in the front and only for higher classes. Others boot all round because they need it. I've never had one who we needed to boot for schooling - but if one needed that we would do it. We do use wraps when teaching lateral work though. It is just a matter of doing what is right for your horse - and knowing why you do it!

Makes wise - if the le mieux fitted correctly then you might want to go for the same make; but a correct boot for what you are doing. I'm a massive fan of the NEW boots (New Equine Wear) -initially just an XC boot they now do a whole range and the fit seems really good for the horses we have at the moment. Some people do rate the PE boots - but I have never found the fit quite right. Sadly you can't hire boots the way you can a new bit - so it can take a bit of experimenting to find something that works size wise. You can see if you can borrow boots from friends to check the fit, or try second hand sales - again just as a way to buy cheaper and check the fit before buying new. Over time I've found people just settle for makes they know well and which work for their horses. Everyone has a personal preference!

 

[Sophiecollins11]

Thank you for the help has been very useful
I only jump at home at the moment up to 90cm as I had a major confidence crisis jumping beginning of this year but am starting to go out and about hiring jumps and planning on a clear round or two over the summer so I think I will definitely look into open fronted tendon boots as that is what most people seem to reccomend although I am still not sure about back boots?
He was previously jumping without back boots or just brushing boots and is their really a need for brushing boots at all as it doesn't offer support and he doesn't brush his back legs his front legs are more of an issue?

He is quite fine for a trad so have tried on a few full size brands and all seem OK to might go for some Norton pro tendon boots to start as a cheaper brand to try out and eventually save up for some upper class boots
I don't boots him for anything but jumping and lunging and occasionally hacking really

 

[saddlesore]

New equine wear make boots in a medium wide fit for cobs. They're what I use. 😊

 

[Shay]

You absolutely should boot for lunging - the tight circle makes event he most balanced more prone to brush.

No boot offers the bone support to prevent a split - they are for protection mainly although you do get some that offer soft tissue support. Personally I wouldn't boot behind unless there was an issue. I tend not to boot for hacking because the mud etc can get underneath and rub. I know XC is muddier but horses run XC with boots on only for a maximum of 10/12 mins. We hack for hours!

Good luck - hopefully you'll have a super summer.

 

[Merlod]

I use woof club boots as they come in MXW