Turnout boots, are they worth it?

[tabithakat64]

I'm thinking or buying some turnout boots for my cob to provide support and extra protection from further injury when turned out (12 hours).

Are turnout boots worth using? Should I bandage instead?
Or should I not bother?

If you use turnout boots what make do you use and why?
(I'm looking at the Premier Equine or Equilibrium ones)

 

[teddyt]

I wouldnt bandage if the horse is turned out, mainly because of water soaking in in the wet.

I dont think you can get the boots tight enough to give much support although they would offer some protection from impact.

Unless the horse is very clumsy and accident prone i personally wouldnt use boots everyday because its not very good for the skin. Man made materials against the skin for 12 hours a day- yuck!

 

[Horseback Rider]

totallt agree with teddyt I put turnout chaps on mine and did nothing but aggrevate the skin.

Now he always goes out with over reach boots as he does that alot while throwing himslef around the field. If he goes in a new field or out with a new horse I put brushing boots on for a few days till he calms down.

 

[Lou_Lou123]

I tried turning my horse out with boots on when I first had him before he was insured and the little bugger used his teeth to undo the velcro and take them off. Once he was insured I stopped bothering, I agree with above and think that they cause more problems, unless you have a horse that goes loopy in the filed and is prone to knocking itself and getting cuts.

 

[mudmonkey17]

I use the equillibrium hardy chaos to turnout in over the top of overreach boots to keep his eggbars shoes on. They are a really good make and fit and have not rubbed or marked the skin anywhere x

 

[Rhee]

In my case yes, are worth it and not caused any problems over 12 hour turnout period.
Chose equilibrium, the mud boot ones, but for protection for a nasty rear canon wound which has been bandaged since July.
Now turned out after box rest & was really worried how to both protect the healing wound & resulting proud flesh and also support the joint flexion (was a severed extensor tendon)
I think they are brilliant, soft, stretchy, excellent velcro.
No rubs, no sweat (doesn't soften the scab- urgh!!) no mud in the wound, pretty much dry leg even tho all this rain and standing water.
Just need a rinse through every night ready for the morning.

I got a special offer with mine that included the stable chaps for the same price-which I used once the heavy bandaging came off- nice bonus!

PS people suggest nappies for hock dressings, I used own brand, very cheap Tena ladies as a dressing under the chaps- the sticky bit stopped it slipping down under the chap!