Sports Medecine Boots or the like

C

Christmas Crumpet

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2007
Messages
4,035
Visit site
I have been advised by the vet to wear sports medecine boots or a similar product to give added protection to my horse's damaged but healed SDFT. I have got Premier Equine Sports Boots. I always assumed you shouldn't use support boots with an old tendon injury because the horse begins to rely on them. However, mine is 19 and needs all the help he can get!!!

Does anyone else use these boots or boots of a similar type? Would anyone recommend them?
 
Funny enough was speaking to my instructor about this the other day. My horse is recovering from tendon injury (think we have spoken on another thread?) and my vet recommended a protective, supportive boot but ideally breathable. The only ones could really find that fitted all of this are the New Equine Wear Airoflow Cross country boot. However my instructor says that the best ultimate support and protection are the SMBs by Professional Choice (though know N.E.W do one too now). Am worried though because she siad it is vital that you get them exactly the right fit as she has known them to cause injury if not correctly fitted. Apparently they give you instructions on their site and packaging on how to measure etc. I'll be interested to see the responses on this post as am looking to purchase some boots once we have (fingers crossed, touch wood) permission to start cantering and are seing the vet this afternoon, have butterflys already!! I have used the SMBs before on hother horses and they are good boots and all of the Professionals Choice stuff is so well made and lasts forever. Let me know what you decide as really keen to gage opinions.
 
Hello my recovering tendon friend!!

My premier equine are so far so good!! Have got some SMB's on the way. I do find that his legs get quite warm during exercise but he is always hosed down afterwards. I turn him out with nothing on and he is much, much better when he can walk around all day.

I have found since his accident all his legs fill quite badly during the night or when he is standing in which has caused huge alarm from those not expecting it!! I do worry that when I start hunting again I will come in in the morning and feel his legs which will be massive from standing in and panic he's done it again. Nightmare!!

Will keep you posted re: boots - make sure you do too!!
 
I used SMBs all last winter on one of mine for turnout after she kicked herself, and because she was going through a nutter stage. I really like them as they stay in place so well as they have a firm structure without any plastic bits. You don't need to strap them too tightly to keep them on because of their structure, which I think is a definite plus. I used them all round.

They fit my two Irish Sports horses very well, although without much to spare so I don't see how a horse with a lot of bone or feathers could wear them. Good for TB types though.
 
Really there isn't an "ideal" boot out there yet for recovering tendons (if indeed they should wear them at all). As CLY said they need to be protective, supportive and breathable. The NEW XC Airflow boots aren't supportive like SMB type boots though, SMB boots aren't breathable enough, and the Equilibrium wraps aren't tough and protective enough. I wouldn't use SMBs on any horse with a tendon issue personally, because it has been suggested in the last few years that these heat the tendons, which basically softens them and makes them more prone to injury. Which is really not something you want with an un-injured horse, let alone one with an old tendon injury (considering tendons don't heal very well at all and will always be more prone to injury after the initial injury). My choice is the Equilibrium wraps, as my horse doesn't brush so I can compromise the protective element and get the breathability and support right.
Although as many people have said in post previous to this one, how is a small bit of material supposed to support an internal tendon when 500kg (give or take) of horse is bearing down on it?
 
Interesting topic!

I've got some of the SMB Elite boots (the black and bright pink ones
smile.gif
) and use them for exercising and occasionally turn out (if I think he's going to go loopy). I've also got the Equilibrium wraps.

Both have +'s and -'s. Both fit well, don't rub and stay in place in extreme circumstances. I like the SMBs because they provide lots of protection from brushing or strike injuries. They do however heat the legs up and I don't ever compete in them (I do endurance) for that reason. I always school in them and do shorter training rides at home.

The Equilibrium boots don't have much brushing/strike protection (but better than nothing) but do provide some support (even if its only in my mind). They're not as long lasting as the SMBs but are cheaper. I'd more likely compete in them than the SMBs because they are so much thinner and therefore don't heat the legs as much.

In other words both are great depending on what you want to do.

To compete in I use the fleece lined NEW x-country boots on his fronts and the NEW fleece lined fetlock boots on the hinds. Although you'd think fleece would be warmer than anything the opposite is actually true. The fleece allows air to circulate and the legs to breath, keeping the skin and tendon structures cooler. I did try some of the Premier Equine Airflow boots but they rubbed his legs on a 32k ride (if anyone wants a set of the PE airflow boots then PM me!)
 
Are these the ones that wrap around and then under? If so PLEASE make sure they fit!! I got my boy some Full size ones - him beng a chunky cob - and they fitted well length and width wise, or so I thought!!

Even done up as tight as I could the the that goes under slipped and rubbed right into the back of his pastern (after 30 mins of jumping lesson outside)
frown.gif
which has left me with a very moody horse and even though they are healed u can see him move away if he sees the boots (I gave them to a longer legged beastie owner!) If you do get them and they slip, don't just pull the bottom bit back up, reposition the WHOLE boot!

I like the idea of them, but I am very wary about getting a pair again, if I did I think I could try a cob (did try these and thought they looked too small!)

I had the Weatherbeeta ones BTW.
 
My horse goes out for 10 hours a day without any boots on. My vet suggested I wore SMB's to exercise in because a) they gave protection b) he is old and could do with the support and c) if anything did go wrong with his tendon then at least we would know that its not because its been banged or a strike injury. I am inclined to follow advice from my vet. He has done such a good job in getting my horse back on the road and so far so good. The horse gets exercised for an hour weekdays doing roadwork and long rides at the weekend - surely on having the boots on for an hour, 2 at max can't do a huge amount of damage? Or am I barking up completely the wrong tree?!!!

I have hunted all my life and my 2 most regular hunters have always worn brushing boots hunting and not once have they caused a problem with rubbing or anything. I think some horses are just more susceptable to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top