self harming horse

[catherine22]

My gelding is always injuring himself,usually knocking into himself. He is on 24/7 turn out,lots of grass atm and ad lib haylage in the winter so no reason to run around. He already has 4 overreach boots on but the only other thing i can do is put boots on his hind legs obviously this isnt ideal but is cuts around the fetlock and risk of joint infection worse than potentially over heating tendons?
Ive already spoken to my farrier who has done all he can. Even the vet has said only option is boot him,but obviously thats not ideal especially in summer.
He only out with one other retired,not playful horse
what would you do with him-apart from shoot him,which hes already been threatened with!!

 

[jools123]

your probably gonna have to boot him if the cuts are that often/bad-try looking at event boots that are vented and supposed to stop the tendon getting so hot- or just fetlock boots depending where he is getting cut

 

[Littlelegs]

I'd leave the boots off & give him work to take the edge off. Plus preferably a playmate, ime less injuries from young horses playing nicely than racing round like loins.

 

[catherine22]

He is worked eveyday and he is 12 so i thought he'd have chilled out a bit by now. The other problem is he has navicular issues so shouldnt really be charging around playing.
He has fetlock boots and equlibrium training wraps so my plan was to alternate them

 

[Littlelegs]

It wasn't in reference to his age, more that groups of youngstock play lots but have a lower % of injury than older horses racing about without a playmate. Ideally with navicular you wouldn't want him doing either but I think the risk is less with a playmate than on their own. It may not be at all possible for you but just an idea.