To Boot Or Not To Boot?

[Amy_08]

When hunting or XC schooling when my girlie wears boots for a few hours, she regularly ends up with a boot rub due to mud/grit getting underneath her boots. This often leads to infection and happened last week and she is currently off games!

I have tried different types of boots, to no avail. She also suffers with mud fever and one of her heels often cracks, so over reach boots are a no no.

I am thinking about hunting her with no boots on, but the reactions I have got so far have been that people think I'm mad! So who hunts with and who hunts without?

 

[KatB]

I personally hunt my horse with... but used to ride alot without, and my cob very rarely wore boots! What boots have you tried so far? If they cause problems, I wouldnt have too much of an issue of hunting without.

 

[Fiona]

Have you tried the NEW comp boots with the very thick fleece lining. I find that mud doesn't get up the inside of these.

Personally I use Equiflect boots (very similar to prolite) for hunting, and honestly I find that nothing gets inside them.

I honestly would hate to send either of ours out hunting without boots (with tendon guard).

Fiona

 

[millitiger]

i hunt with boots.

use prolites with talc sprinkled in them.

 

[Amy_08]

I've used Eskadron XC boots, Trizone XC boots and Sabre Event boots. Can't really afford another pair at the moment!!!

 

[Liesel]

My mare hunts with boots. Premier Equine air cooled originals. She wears the same for xc.

 

[simplyhunting]

nope i dont hunt with boots, bar the TB and one pony who hunt in over-reach's who without would end up with no foot let alone a shoe!!

 

[tedster]

I always boot xc, went hunting a few weeks ago for the first time, put boots on as normal, was fine but 2 hours in went unsound,,,,was going to turn back but was advised to take off boots which I did and pony went sound the boot had got grit in and was pressing on him

I continued and he was fine!! Now I dont use boots for hunting

 

[Ditchjumper2]

We use the NEW fleece lined XC boots. They have never rubbed and even when going through water they do not get heavy or rub. Come up well in the washing machine too!!!

 

[1036Jones]

No I dont use boots. My mare is coloured and have found in the past the mud gets inside and rubs her pink skin.

 

[star]

i've got the NEW LW XC boots and previously had the Premier Equine Event boots but they were shite and fell apart. Mind you the NEW overreach boots are alreayd falling apart too - not excactly impressed! None of them have rubbed but despite his white legs he doesn't seem too susceptable. I'd be wary of hunting without boots as seen some nasty leg injuries on horses with boots on which would have been a million times worse without, esp seems to happen when horse loses rider and bolts over wire fences. However, have seen Rosie's legs after a rub more than once now so it's a difficult one. I think the fleece boots can help, but they get really heavy and slip down quite easily. You might just have to take the risk and go without.

 

[Mike007]

No I dont hunt in boots unless the horse absolutely needs them .Too many problems with stones ,rubs etc. PS Hugs to Rosie.

 

[Amy_08]

Somes reassurance, thank you. I think next time I'm going to try her without. Thanks Mike, she just wanted a little holiday I think!

 

[star]

she's just making sure your arms are fully recovered before you decide to take her again!

 

[Couloir]

I've never hunted with boots, and have never had problems, even when qualifying pointers. Even if you boot up for everything else, when out hunting you'll be in the saddle (and the horse in his boots) for a lot longer than any cross country round and will be riding through water, mud, sandy soil, and pretty much anything else! Most modern boots don't "breathe" so if your horse sweats and some grit works its way underneath the boot, you run the risk of your horse getting Lymphangitis.

 

[cptrayes]

I use Woof boots but most of the field have no boots on. I'm in a tiny minority. I'd go without if I were you.

 

[Angelbones]

We use the Woof double closure ones - never had a problem with anything inside / rubbing / getting heavy when wet / slipping. Overreach boots too - just the rubber ones with velcro. Wouldn't take my horse out to do by far his most dangerous day's work of the week without boots when I put them on for schooling too.