Open-fronted Boots XC?

Gamebird

Gamebird

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Having a thoughtful sort of a day today.

I've noticed several pro's using open-fronted boots XC (just like tendon boots). Andrew Nicholson, Oli Townend and WFP to name a few.
Does anyone know why you would want to? I would want maximum protection down the front of the leg as it's the part most likely to hit off a fence or a step, get spiked by a bit of brush etc.

Is it the same as SJ and they want the horse to realise when it has hit something and be more careful next time??
 
mmm yes i have noticed WFP doing this on a number of occasions, i wouldnt know why though, seems abit silly as you say, be interested to see what people think
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Maybe like you say it's to encourage the horse to be little more careful in front. If they dangle a leg showjumping it's a pole down, much worse if they dangle one out on XC. Other than that...no idea.

x
 
Don't know, but I suppose it may be because they do want the horse to feel if they touch a fence, so they learn from it. When you think about it, any serious injuries to front limbs XC are knocks and/or strains to soft tissue ie back of leg. If they hit a fence hard it's usually on or above the knee so boots don't help. Maybe the philosophy is that by allowing them to feel how hard the fence is if they make a minor mistake and hit it below the knee it will make them more inclined to try not to hit it hard! If so, it's an interesting idea... I'm all for self-preservation, myself
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Really? That is interesting.

Perhaps it is a safety thing, the thinking being that some eventers aren't careful enough xc and this'll make them pick up more if they hit something.
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I think i'd rather keep my horses legs as safe as possible and trust that my horses can mostly look after themselves. Still i'm sure WFP knows trillions of things i dont!!
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psssssssssssssssss it could be like me at last event - my hubby went off with lorry keys so i had to rush out onto xc to find him, then do a very quickly change and 'bad mother' forgot to change boots!!!!!!!
so could i be trendy?
 
Nope, deffo open fronted ones, just two narrow straps round the front of the leg. I'm not being particularly judgemental either way (definitely not in a position to criticise any of the above
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) just a bit curious as to the reason.
 
I wouldnt personally, but yes I have seen lots of people do it!

I felt dreadful having been in such a rush after the SJ at Cheltenham forgot to put back boots on for the XC - thank GOD he was OK - I doubt I would have forgiven myself if not.
 
Having given it a bit more thought, I don't hunt with boots on though. Do you? *runs away to the sound of cans of worms being opened
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I do as mine is so acident prone I wouldnt dare otherwise - I am religious at leg checking for rubs/grit/mud etc and havent had a problem yet -I use Equiflect tendon boots in front and WW boots on the back and lucky havent had problems - I know masses of people that dont wear them so dont worry about your can of worms!!
 
K, that was my line of thinking exactly!
Having had a flick through Eventing mag there's pics of Ben Along Time, Carousel Quest and ODT Land Vision wearing them and it's something I've been quietly wondering about all season. They look like they might be prolite?
 
*Scuttles off to find Eventing mag*

You're quite right Gamebird, the one of Ben is really clear too.. They do look like Prolites don't they? I'll quiz my trainer tomorrow and gind out her view.. But I'm with Kerilli too, I don't think I'd want the ride if it was that careless!!
 
Thanks for posting gamebird - I have been wondering this for months.

Having seen a bone bruise on the front of a horses cannon bone, I think I'll stick with my closed front boots thanks.

There is a lovely schoolmaster horse here eventing every week with only floppy front brushing boots, and no back boots at all. I feel like grabbing the rider by his nose/tie/b***s and saying 'buy the horse a set of Xc boots for god sake - does he not deserve it!!!'

Sorry (just went off on one there).

Will go and hide in corner again.

FIona
 
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