SMB and Tendon Boots

[LittleBayPony]

I sometimes play polo and when I do I ride in climatex bandages (to try and prevent over heating) with tendon boots over the top (and over reach boots). It's fairly standard procedure on the polo field - bandages for support, tendon boots for strike/ impact protection.

Last weekend I visited a friend at a different polo club and saw several ponies there wearing sports medicine boots with tendon boots over the top. It would certainly be less hassle booting up than bandaging and the idea apeals to me (especially with my arthritic fingers in the winter time!), but the heating issue aside I worry about how comfortably the tendon boot would fit.

Am I being a bit old fashioned in my thinking? Does anyone do this these days with no ill-effect?

 

[mga4ever]

Not sure why there is a need for the Tendon boots over SMB's as there is quite a bit of protection in the SMB's themselves? I have been using them for Mounted Games for many years and have never had a problem with them.

 

[LittleBayPony]

Not sure why there is a need for the Tendon boots over SMB's as there is quite a bit of protection in the SMB's themselves? I have been using them for Mounted Games for many years and have never had a problem with them.

aIm presuming it's a 'belt and braces' approach as the tendon boots are there to protect as much from ill-placed mallet swings (from amateurs) as they are the horse striking itself.

Would be curious to hear thoughts on whether it would work (as in be comfortable). The wrap-around style seam worries me.

Out of interest what SMBs do you use? The level of protection they offer seems to vary dramatically.

 

[mga4ever]

I use the SMB Elite boots with Ventech. I used to use the 200's on my old pony but my current pony didn't like them as his legs got warm. However with the ventech boots his legs are cooler than when I use bandages.

I found that the people at professionals choice were very helpful. I t may be worth giving them a call to see if putting tendon boots over the SMB's would counteract the Ventech cooling.

 

[TiddlyPups]

Not sure why there is a need for the Tendon boots over SMB's as there is quite a bit of protection in the SMB's themselves? I have been using them for Mounted Games for many years and have never had a problem with them.

In polo wouldn't your horse be more likely to get struck into from other horses?

 

[LittleBayPony]

In polo wouldn't your horse be more likely to get struck into from other horses?

It does happen but not usually at my level of playing. Ride-offs are not allowed in our practice chukkas which is when that would be most likely to happen.

MGA - thaks for that. Will give the a call

 

[Sameru]

We ALWAYS banadged and booted for matches but we had the Pro choice Skid boots for chukkas