The boot or not to boot minefield

[Shoei]

I have recently purchased some WW event boots that performed well xcountry last week. However I still have the conundrum of wether to boot or not when we start hunting this season. I'm having difficulty weighing up which is more risky... Inexperienced excitable horse knocking himself or over heating tendons.... Either way I'm going to feel like a bad mum!!! So what does everyone else do/ recommend?

Thanks in advance

 

[chestnut cob]

I have the same dilemma. I have never booted for hunting, apart from OR boots sometimes. However I haven't hunted for a couple of seasons, have only evented so horse has always been booted for jumping. As a result I am now quite precious about his legs and am having the boot or no boots dilemma. What's worse... being stuck all day in soggy wet boots that might rub, or risk him walloping himself and potentially doing serious damage that might have been avoided (or at least minimised) by having his XC boots on all round...? If you find the answer, let me know!

 

[I.M.N.]

I've always booted mine, I'd take a rub over a knock any day. You just have to find boots that work, ie don't hold water and don't let dirt under. One of mine is in premier equine hinds and the other is in woof wear ones that are neoprene covered in Kevlar and no seams (he's very picky re boots). And they're both in the Lemieux stealth fronts. I've done this for 3 seasons now and never had a problem and the marks the boots come back with sometimes reassures me I've picked the right option for my horses.

 

[Shoei]

The WW I have are neoprene and they seem to dry out quickly. Chester cracked his legs on a simple xcountry fence the other day and I was glad he had them on. ! I.M.N - do you find their legs get hot in them ?

 

[I.M.N.]

The WW I have are neoprene and they seem to dry out quickly. Chester cracked his legs on a simple xcountry fence the other day and I was glad he had them on. ! I.M.N - do you find their legs get hot in them ?

No, not especially, and not in the middle of season when it's freezing.

 

[Shoei]

That's good to know, thanks

 

[EarlRonan]

I used to boot and then not last season but the season before he got really bad rubs so he couldn't wear boots. Later on in the season he got lymphangitis (can't spell) not once but twice and we think it was because of the rubs. I haven't worn boots since and the girls in the yard all say he his more careful without boots and comes back with less scraps and cuts etc.. than he used to.

 

[I.M.N.]

These are the WW ones I was talking about http://www.woofwear.com/for-horses/brushing-boots/kevlar-exercise-boot_black---small.html, my boy took his hinds through a post with theses on and both him and the boots survived unharmed. And with there being no seams and being very malleable you'd be very unlucky to get a rub.

 

[Goldenstar]

I am a not unless I have no choice .
I do use a pastern wrap and overreach boots on one though

 

[AAR]

I boot mine. He's not very careful yet (new to jumping and hunting) as last Boxing Day we accidently jumped and got caught on some wire which went through his boot and cut him deeply. If he hadn't of had the boot the cut would have been even deeper.

I just used normal WW brushing boots with the double Velcro strap but after payday I am going to invest in some dalmar event boots which seem a bit more substantial. (in brown not with the electric blue air vents!)

After a few sessions of XC with no boots on and whacking a couple of solid jumps along with a new set of brakes we will hopefully be a bit more careful this season.