Think skins and turnout - are boots the only solution?

[LowenKi]

Hi guys, wondered I I could get some advice. My new, thin skinned chap seems to scrape or nick his legs in the field every few days, and am sick of dealing with puffy legs as a result! I need him to stay sound really, and at the minute I'm fighting a losing battle! He is turned out overnight and in during the day at the moment, has a 28 year old field companion and they don't hoon about at all - they just hug and groom (ah bless!)

Basically I don't think there's much I can do in terms of field management as he is quiet as a mouse when he's turned out, he just seems to damage himself really easily!

I fully understand the concerns with tendons over heating because of boots being on too long - its this reason I've never used turnout boots with my other horses. I'm starting to think though, it may be the only way to keep his legs clean and keep him sound.

Are turnout boots really as dangerous as people say? Which are the best ones to try? I've heard horrid things about turnout chaps so I think a brushing or tendon boot might be better. Each of his cuts and grazes would have been prevented with a simple brushing boot - they were all in that area of the leg.

Interested to start a bit of a debate here, let me know your views and experiences!

 

[LowenKi]

Apologies for the typo in the title - flipping predictive text on my phone always thinks it knows best!!!!

 

[dianchi]

I've never had any problems using boots, just as long as they aren't on 24/7 I'm sure you will be fine!

 

[Montyforever]

I use brushing boots on my mare when the ground is dry shes okay without them but wrecks the inside of her legs when it's muddy. She hasn't had any issues and there's not that much difference in the temperature of her legs with or without boots! If it prevents the insides of her legs from looking like someone's used a cheese grater on them I'm happy