Putting boots on youngsters?

[JoshuaR97]

I've just brought myself an Irish draught 4 year old. He currently wears brushing boots when being lunged only on the front as this is what he's old owner was doing. I've been told that I shouldn't be putting boots on him to much as want to strengthen his legs. Just thought when he's being ridden to leave them off and when just being lunged to keep some on his fronts?

 

[Spyda]

How does putting a set of well fitting brushing or tendon boots affect the bone strengthening process of the legs? It doesn't. The concussion through the limbs will be the same. The only boots that I am aware may influence things are the Sports Medicine Boots (or similar copies) which support the tendons and ligaments tightly and can be seen to aid the leg a little too well if riding a youngster with the intention of accustomising its legs for the impacts of ridden work.

 

[Clare85]

It's sensible to use brushing boots when lunging, especially for a youngster as they can become unbalanced on circles and can knock themselves. As long as the boots are fitted and fastened correctly, they will not weaken or damage your horse's legs

I also tend to use knee boots for babies, in case they trip

 

[Micropony]

I am interested in reading others' replies to this. Where I am all the young horses wear brushing or tendon boots for lunge and ridden work, and the main thing I have heard said is that gangly youngsters can be prone to tripping over big bulky boots, especially if overreach boots don't quite fit well. They are all quite valuable sports horses, and I don't know if that makes a difference to what people generally do.

 

[Spyda]

I am interested in reading others' replies to this. Where I am all the young horses wear brushing or tendon boots for lunge and ridden work, and the main thing I have heard said is that gangly youngsters can be prone to tripping over big bulky boots, especially if overreach boots don't quite fit well. They are all quite valuable sports horses, and I don't know if that makes a difference to what people generally do.

Gosh, none of mine have tripped or become unbalanced from wearing their boots; save for perhaps the very first time boots are fitted and then it is sensible to let the horse become accustomed to wearing their new leg wear in a safe environment before asking for faster work.

I use the brushing boots with integral knee pad when riding my youngsters out. With new shoes and slippery road surfaces, it's a wise move.

 

[Lulup]

I tend to use boots all round if they are shod - hardly ever go without over reach boots - they save shoes being pulled off so easily by youngsters hooning on the lunge and can avoid weeks off with unnecessary overreach injuries. If they're unshod then I don't worry too much as they are much less likely to inflict any real damage without metal tipped feet

I also scratch my head in disbelief when people say they are better without boots so they can learn to look after themselves etc. A horse on box rest with a nasty over reach or slice down the inside of its leg from the opposite shoe is not a horse that's learned anything - it's just a horse whose progress has halted until it's sound again!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Depends if they are shod, mine aren't and they don't usually wear boots and definitely not for travelling. My little cob never wears them for anything, even HTs.

Heating up the tendons is not great nor is a big whack from a shod foot. You need to balance the risks of each against each other then decide what to do.

 

[Merlod]

I never used to boot but now I always hack and jump my boy in boots.. mainly to protect him from himself - he is a big spooky lump of a sec D and most of his injuries are self inflicted. Last year he gave himself the superest splint on the inside - presumably after whacking himself, since then he is always wears boots.. nothing special, just woof clubs on the front. I think I would always boot now, but just basic brushing boots. I don't use over reach as the one time I did (after a spate of abscess and shoe loss) he trod on it tripped on the road and I had to deal with broken knees!