Thin skinned TB - recommendations needed!

[ponyparty]

My mare is very thin skinned, she's currently recovering from cellulitis from what I think I've now identified as TINY rubs from overreach boots. She needs to wear the boots for turnout (farrier recommended all round) as she's in a remedial shoeing package at the moment and we could do without them getting pulled off/lost in huge field/chunks of hoof getting pulled off with them.

Would pastern wraps help? If so, what sort? Neoprene? A hoof boot sock? Overreaches with sheepskin/faux sheepskin (not great if rainy/muddy though I guess)? I'm blinded by choice and could do with some recommendations from others who've had this problem!

Her fly rug has also rubbed her chest - I've ordered a rug bib to protect her from this, that was an easier decision

 

[HelenBack]

What sort of overreach boots are you using at the moment? My TB is thin skinned too and also likes to swell up from tiny cuts and rubs. I find him okay in standard rubber bell boots. Obviously that's not much help if that's what you're using already though!

I tried the ones with the furry top for riding and when they got wet bits of dirt got trapped in the fur and that did rub so I don't think I'd use those for turnout. I haven't tried neoprene overreach boots on this horse at all but they were successful on my now retired horse who was also prone to rubs so that could be worth a go.

I haven't tried them but my farrier mentioned ShoeSecure a while back (https://www.shoesecure.com/). I've been having a look and think they look like a good idea but not sure if I could be bothered with the faff of putting them on and off every time I wanted to ride. I'm going to ask the farrier a bit more about them next time I see him though. Just thought it worth mentioning as it's another option for you to consider at least.

 

[Jambarissa]

Someone at the yard has bought some overreach boots that are absolutely shaped to fit fetlock and heel bulbs. I will find the brand.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I tried neoprene fur and rubber various ones and found shires arma rubber the best as they are very soft I and had several pairs that got scrubbed and changed regularly and clearing that area of mud and wet as much as possible.

The neoprene ones just never dried out in winter so sat wet on his skin and the fur ones got disgusting.

Neoprene I found ok in summer if very dry but made sure they were cleaned regularly.

 

[ihatework]

It’s a bit trial and error for your horse, but in all honesty I found the cheap rubber pull one the best. No seams and don’t hold water.

 

[ponyparty]

I've got Shires Arma ones I think... bought a few random pairs at a tack sale recently too, as they get pulled off and go missing in the long grass.
I like the sound of the rubber pull-on ones, are they a faff to check under for rubs though?
Was trying to avoid trial and error as I'm haemorrhaging money at the moment on various things I want to buy once, and it just be the right choice! Guess that's not life with horses though
Maybe I should just get a pair of every type going, and rotate so they rub in a different place each day and no one spot get sore

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I've got Shires Arma ones I think... bought a few random pairs at a tack sale recently too, as they get pulled off and go missing in the long grass.
I like the sound of the rubber pull-on ones, are they a faff to check under for rubs though?
Was trying to avoid trial and error as I'm haemorrhaging money at the moment on various things I want to buy once, and it just be the right choice! Guess that's not life with horses though
Maybe I should just get a pair of every type going, and rotate so they rub in a different place each day and no one spot get sore

Yeah that might work.

Also try and buy the rubber ones in a shop I found some colours were softer spent many visits feeling the over reach boots

 

[Carrottom]

Is she out 24/7? If not then you could try putting a layer of vaseline or similar on clean dry legs before putting the overreach boots on.

 

[ponyparty]

Hmm. She was out 24/7 but need her to eat her feeds with meds in at the moment so she’s in during the day and back out in a small pen next to the others for now. I was considering putting her back out 24/7 but think I’ll keep her on this routine - it’s a break from the midges, her rug, the boots, and herding the other mares around constantly

The ones that have rubbed her are neoprene, thinking about it; the ones on her hinds were soft rubber, but too big for fronts, they pulled off too easily.

Maybe bringing her in for the day, and rotating the boots, will work, and I won’t have to solve the problem with some other fancy solution (which would no doubt cause a different problem, coz horses!)…