SMB vs Equilibrium vs Keiffer and other wrap boots

[RachelB]

My horse has rather funny shaped feet and is currently on box rest having sustained an injury to her fetlock joint. I am now totally paranoid about her fetlocks and want to get her some supportive boots to wear when I'm not riding on a surface. I've looked at the SMBs (look good but expensive), the Equilibrium training wraps (not much cheaper than SMBs but don't look as good? Although breathable...) and random ones like Keiffer (much cheaper than SMBs but possibly not as good?).
Does anyone have any experience using these types of boots, and what would everyone reccommend?
Cheers guys.

 

[lucy245]

I use Equlibrium and find them very good. Well worth the extra money.

 

[RachelB]

I was hoping someone would have used these - are they very padded? And are they very stretchy?

 

[lucy245]

They are not overly thick, but do give loads of protection they are quite stretchy there is a size guide on Equilibriums website. I have tried the Easkradon and NEW boots that are similar and found they were to restrictive around the fetlock joint. Don’t have that problem with the Equlibrium ones though.
http://www.equilibriumproducts.com/about_our_products/size_matters/

 

[Pidge]

equilibrium ones fab IMO, fit very snug to legs nothing gets under them, they breathe and despite their looks they are pretty padded where needed most - plus they wash well

kieffer ones are a bit more protective but they do not mould to the leg as well as the equilibrium ones so bits tend to get underneath them.

 

[mitchellk]

I have some equilibrium boots (brushing boot shaped not wraps) for warming up for dressage and they are great and wash well, they mould nicely to the shape of horses leg. I do find that the hinds drop a bit but probably should have bought the next size down.

 

[RachelB]

I'm not worried about the protection side as she doesn't interfere in front, it's just that I can tell I'm going to be absolutely paranoid that she's going to damage her fetlock again and I want some kind of wrap that will go underneath the joint and support it. Although I realise that a small bit of material is unlikely to support 600kg of horse but it will make me feel better! Especially as the Equilibrium ones are breathable, and if they're easy to wash too that's a huge plus. Will have to go and see if my tack shop has them. Four weeks of box rest so plenty of time to save up for them!
Thanks guys!

 

[Pidge]

in that case I would go for the equilibrium training wraps as they fit so nicely and the strap fits nicely round the joint. I have 2 and 1/2 full sets for Pidge as he is so spoilt

ETS: Pidge is a 16.3hh ISH and also 600kg so I have size 3 on the front and size 4 on the back

 

[RachelB]

My Mum grimaced when I told her I was buying yet more things for my horse! Thanks for the measurements as well, will take the tape measure up with me tomorrow!

 

[Pidge]

you didn't tell her the price of these did you

no probs with sizes had an afterthought so thought it might be useful for you. please get the black ones and not the white ones as they are easier to keep clean.

 

[Murphs_Mum]

I Can't comment on the others as have not tried but I love the SMB's I bought some for a horse that had a slight suspensory ligament problem and they were amazing. I don't use them on Murph but would to offer support if I was jumping substantially. They are full size if you want to try them without having to buy some pm me!

 

[RachelB]

No she doesn't know the price, at least they are cheaper than the SMBs! But TBH if they might help prevent her damaging herself again (along with corrective shoeing etc) then they are worth it! I will definately get the black ones as they will mainly be for hacking in (school surface is rubber so fine without anything on legs), I have enough trouble washing my grey horse's legs let alone a set of boots too!

 

[RachelB]

Thanks for the offer, I think I'll see how I get on with the Equilibrium ones first as I'm not quite as keen on the SMBs (as they are thicker, look less breathable, and look harder to keep clean!)
Thanks though!

 

[Murphs_Mum]

They are not too bad to keep clean, they just brush off! But I agree they are thicker but I think that is because they are more supportive! Good luck whatever you try!

 

[shadowboy]

I have both the SMB and the Equilibrium boots. The SMB offers more protection as they are tougher but i find the equilibrium wraps are softer and more flexible. If your horse brushes easily etc. then the equilibrium wont offer the degree of support the the SMB. I use my SMB for fast hacking and my equilibrium for flatwork. Hope this helps

 

[RachelB]

Yes, thanks, that's great! Will definately have a good look at the Equilibrium ones tomorrow, as I said above my horse doesn't interfere I'm just after the support around the fetlock.
Cheers everyone

 

[Theresa_F]

I bought a set of SMB years ago when my TB cracked her fetlock joint - they are fantastic, don't rub, provide lots of protection and are easy to pop in the washing machine. She never went lame again after I started using them - they are on the list of my best buys.

Still have them years later - sitting in my tack box - if they fit Chancer I will use them for XC but the way he is growing think they will still be in the box.

 

[RachelB]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I had a good look at the Equilibrium ones yesterday morning (my tackshop doesn't do SMBs sadly) and they looked very nice. Turned my horse out in her pen at lunchtime, she went absolutely ape! I got very worried aobut her legs so I decided to rush back before the shop shut and buy some Equilibrium ones! Very impressed with them so far, they haven't rubbed (despite her leg being shaved right down to the skin by vet clippers) and feel lovely and stretchy. I also didn't realise they had actual holes in to make them more breathable, which is good especially in this hot sunlight at the mo! So I felt a lot better this morning leaving her in her pen, although she still did hoon round after a while

Thanks guys

 

[sillygillyhorse]

The Kieffer sports boots are fantastic, do the same job as SMB's at a fraction of the price. I have several pairs and all are now pretty ancient, used for turnout and still going strong. If you are looking for more support than the equilibrium I highly recommend the Kieffers.

 

[Happy Bird]

I have Equilibrium boots and love them. Mine are unique in colour - white with grey binding - thanks to hubby putting them in the washing machine accidentally with a dark wash .......... oops !