Travel boots...opinions

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ARDesign

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Hi all,

I am new to the equine world and am doing some research for a product design project on travel boots. I wondered what peoples' general opinions were on the use of travel boots, no specific models in mind, as I know some people experience problems with them...if you have any ideas or opinions on the areas below or any other issues you can think of please share them!

  • Do you use travel boots?
  • If not, why not?
  • What do you find irritating about them (lack of breathability, poor fit, slip, not robust/fall apart, poor level of protection, design aesthetics, etc)?
  • Are there any particular makes/models which you like and why?

I am really interested in your thoughts and want to get down to the nitty gritty of the problems with existing models. Thanks for your help!
 
I always use travel boots
The fit is important and the durability
My favourites are Weatherbeeta as they fit my horses perfectly and have huge velcro tabs, quick to put on and take off, good value for money, the horses movements are not too restricted in them but the drawback is that after many washes they have become a bit floppy so I need to get some new ones soon.
 
I always use travel boots.
In general I find they slip if you have a horse that stamps around a lot whilst travelling, which is very annoying. And I would love to find a pair of hind boots that didn't restrict a horse s much when the first walk in them!
I really like the Mark Todd ones, mine have lasted years, however one of the fronts had a tab break after pony stamped all over it in the trailer! But it sowed back together and has lasted ever since.
 
I use float boots when when on long trips and also when I am going to shows.
I like using them beacuse they help keep legs clean, protect against kicks and knocks when floating more than one horse and it gives me peace of mind as I would rather arrive with destroyed boots then my horses injured.

My boss doesn't use them, if he has to he will use sheepskin paddock boots. His reasoning is they don't allow legs to breathe, they get hot and if the horse wees on them the boots soak up the urine and are all gross for the horse to stand in. I think these are valid points, however he has a 6 horse truck with rubber that hangs from the underside of the dividers and touches the floor, thus offering protection when more than one horse is loaded. My float does not have this.

I have short Weatherbeeta ones and long Eurohunter ones. The Eurohunter ones seem to be more robust than the Weatherbeeta ones (after one use and wash, the material on top of the tabs has come off) and also I like the design of the longer boots. They protect the whole lower leg and come up over the hocks.
 
I do use travel boots for ease and simplicity - but they have thier drawbacks as does bandaging. I would never travel without one or the other - although I know people do.

It is easy to over tighten a travel boot. And easy to bandage with uneven pressure. If the travel boot slips it may rub or scare the horse. If the bandage unravels the horse might think it is a snake. On the whole I think a travel boot is slightly better protection as it extends over the hock and down past the fetlock - which is difficult to do with a bandage. But all horses have different shaped legs and some are easier to bandage than thry to fit a boot to.

I am slightly at a loss to see the mechanics of a horse peeing on its own boots - although if they do pee in the trailer the boots will get damp because it splashes.
 
I find most boots do not cover the hock enough, and that if they do, the horse cannot move well in them. Maybe some sort of articulated boot would work?

I used to bandage and this was better protection and more mobile but a nightmare to take off when in a rush and have to roll up for coming home.

Now I only put back boots on if I am going a fair distance, but usually travel in nothing if I'm hunting and only ambling down the lanes because the horses fidget and dont let me take them off when I get to the meet.
I do put overreach boots on all four feet though.

The better boots have a strike pad/overreach pad.
I prefer the boots that are fleece/sheepskin lined so that the legs dry on the way home - the nylon type linings just get all sweaty.

I like the look of the thermatex ones and will be trying these out if Santa has had my list.
 
Many years ago I travelled a horse without boots going a distance of two miles - thiknking no problem -- short distance. The horse reared up in the trailer and came down thru the tack compartment and severed tendons. This ended up being a fatal mistake.

I will never likely travel a horse without SOMETHING on their legs again.

I use polypad travel boots with overreach on all four (mainly because the polypads are just not quite long enough).
 
Always use them

Only use Bucas ones as best fit not issue with slipping

Best protection

Worth every penny, twice as much as most other travel boots but you get what you pay for. Far far superior to anything else on the market and I'd not have anything else on my horses legs.
 
Miss Wilson you should buy bucas 3/4 travel boots for your horse that hates them behind my old mare was the same and I used them they don't cover the hock but still offer very good lower leg protection .
 
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