Kitting out new horse-boots for all phases

[nicolenlolly]

I have looked at old posts but as there seem to be new styles hitting the market all the time I felt it prudent to ask in case advice has changed at all.

Bought a new horse for daughter to event and naturally when you buy a cheap pony it comes with a full wardrobe but expensive horses comes with nothing so now we need a shopping spree because nothing we have fits this beast. She is a fine warmblood, leggy but narrow so we need to make sure I protect my investment. We need sj and xc boots so I need some recommendations please lovely people in my phone I’m assuming medicine boots are ok for flatwork/hacking as bandages are just a faff!?

Many thanks

 

[Widgeon]

Does she have a tendency to knock herself? If not, do you really need boots for flatwork and hacking? Just a thought.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Does she have a tendency to knock herself? If not, do you really need boots for flatwork and hacking? Just a thought.

This is an important consideration. Boots themselves can cause injury too if not perfectly fitted so you need to balance the risks.

Someone riding mine in a lesson decided he should wear boots to jump (he didn't need them, he owned back brushing boots simply to make a noise when he was close behind when doing flatwork) and he ended up with a nasty boot rub which became infected. There was no need for him to wear boots to jump.

 

[LEC]

I don’t use boots except for jumping and xc now so pretty much just have tendon boots for jumping which I am obsessed about shape and fit and Xc boots where I am obsessed with breathability and tendon guards.

I have Le Mieux tendon boots think they are Derby ones. I have Prolite for xc and Ecogold. All have done years and many horses.

My decision not to wear boots is many chats with vets about hacking and flatwork and bigger dangers of heating the legs. I also don’t travel with boots for the same reason.

 

[ApolloStorm]

If you planning to affiliate make sure to check the rules on boots as some classes have strict boot rules for jumping.
But I use the Wood Wear Smart Tendon /Fetlock boots for SJ and the Equilibrium TriZone All Sport boots for any XC or galloping as they’re super duper light and breathable. They also do an impact boot which is similar just with a strike pad
I also don’t boot for flatwork or normal hacking - though occasionally use over reach boots if I felt I was asking a lot on the flat!
I do use leg wraps and over reach boots all round for travel in opposition to my own normal opinion as my horse has previously thrown himself round the box and done damage (including pulling all 4 shoes off in one go!)so I take the precaution there!

 

[Love]

I have the Le Mieux carbon air XC boots and really like them - I do only go a XC a handful of times a season though so unsure on their longevity. I photograph events and nearly everything seems to wear the PE ones. I SJ in an ancient pair of teckna tendon boots and have woof brushing boots for knocking about on fast hacks.

 

[paddi22]

i would stay far away from medicine boots/bandages. they really overheat the legs and can damage tendons. the equilibrium tri zone boots are great for giving protection and keeping legs cool. i tend not to use anything when hacking or doing flatwork unless the horse knocks a lot.

i like the majiqu equipe (spelling>!) xc and tendon boots as well.

 

[Widgeon]

I do use leg wraps and over reach boots all round for travel in opposition to my own normal opinion as my horse has previously thrown himself round the box and done damage (including pulling all 4 shoes off in one go!)

Oh dear! That really is some talent.

 

[criso]

I like the Equilibrium tri-zone sports boots as a starting point. They are really lightweight and can be used for xc, SJ and hacking. I don't use boots for schooling even with a TB with twiglet legs and only for hacking in rougher terrain against scratches.

Then you can spend time getting different ones for competing as you do more and work out what fits.

 

[mcgreggor]

I use equilibrium all sports for hacking and jumping, lightweight, breathable and very protective. You can get the impact version for extra protection xc but I just use the regular.

 

[Noble]

Another vote for equilibrium all sport boots.

 

[nicolenlolly]

This is brilliant thank you all. She does over reach so they are a definite requirement. She is quite narrow so I would prefer protection from brushing if jumping.

I will be honest, when hacking and I know it’s bonkers but my friend recently had a dog attack and the only thing that has literally saved the horses life was that it was wearing leather le mieux brushing boots which took the bites rather than the tendons! It’s left me terrified having seen the damage

Flatwork potentially we will leave her without and see how we get on. I definitely don’t want to overheat tendons etc