LeMieux ProSport Stealth Air Shoc XC Boots

[Joyous70]

Im looking for some competition boots for my girl, and have been looking at the LeMieux ProSport Stealth Air Shoc XC boots, for Show jumping and XC events, are they suitable for both? any opinions appreciated.

 

[Shay]

XC boots and SJ boots serve different purposes. You will not find one boot suitable for both. XC front boots cover the front on the bone to protect from a fixed fence; an SJ front boot is open to allow the horse to feel the impact (and hopefully seek to prevent it.) An XC hind boot is significantly longer to protect from a slither or fall, an SJ hind boot is (at most) a fetlock boot to keep something close coupled from knocking itself. The only real "combination" boot folk use for both is in fact designed for neither - a brushing boot.

There is a balancing act between protecting the horse where they are vulnerable and damaging the horse by overheating tendons. Its best to work out why you need to boot and then go get the correct boot for that purpose. If you don't need to boot then it is far better not to.

 

[Joyous70]

XC boots and SJ boots serve different purposes. You will not find one boot suitable for both. XC front boots cover the front on the bone to protect from a fixed fence; an SJ front boot is open to allow the horse to feel the impact (and hopefully seek to prevent it.) An XC hind boot is significantly longer to protect from a slither or fall, an SJ hind boot is (at most) a fetlock boot to keep something close coupled from knocking itself. The only real "combination" boot folk use for both is in fact designed for neither - a brushing boot.

There is a balancing act between protecting the horse where they are vulnerable and damaging the horse by overheating tendons. Its best to work out why you need to boot and then go get the correct boot for that purpose. If you don't need to boot then it is far better not to.

Thanks for your reply I'm not really sure what to do if I'm honest she currently jumps in brushing boots front and back but barely touches a pole however she is close behind so now I'm wondering if just fetlock boots for SJ and then xc boots for xx

 

[Shay]

Jumping in brushing boots is a real pet hate for me I'm afraid. They have their uses and are a really good bit of essential kit - but the one thing (if you boot at all) you want to protect is the front tendon from an accidental strike from the hind foot. Brushing boots won't do that. Unless the horse actually does brush - and some do - you are overheating the tendon to no purpose. And if you are using them for SJ you may be teaching her to hit poles (simply because the impact is reduced or eliminated).

I'm not a boot fan (did you guess?) I think they are vastly over used by folk who don't actually look at the purpose for the boot, get the correct boot for that purpose and fit it correctly. The one exception for me is XC. If you regularly go XC and jump at a reasonable height then I would say go get the best possible XC boots you can afford. This can be more complex than it sounds as some boots fit some leg types better etc. If you are on a yard, belong to a PC or RC etc. I would suggest having a ring around and see what you can try on before splashing out.

 

[AFB]

I'd suggest seeing these in the flesh before buying - I was dead set on them a while back until I felt how poor the quality was (the piping was peeling in the shop!). I ended up going with Premier Equine instead.

Also agree with Shay - it's a horses for courses situation. I would always want open fronted for SJ & full coverage for XC.