Weighted boots?

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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Koko doesn't use his back end very well due to lack of muscle and I was recommended today to use weighted boots on him to get him to put more effort in his behind.

I get the concept, I guess there like the ones you put on your ankles jogging but are they nice as such? Is it just a quick fix and I'd be better of working him without them.

If I do get a pair is the maximum or minimum weight allowed? He's quite dainty and I don't want to cause any damge to his tendons or ligaments by carrying extra weight or too much weight in the wrong place.

Any suggestions? I'm not to keen on the idea but if it helps him without hindering him in the long run I will give them a try.
 
Have you taken the boots off? Sometimes a whack on a wooden pole is enough (sorry to any fluffies)

Personally I wouldnt bother with weighted boots - they are a bit like cheating (actually totally like cheating) and a short fix.

Have you thought about gridwork/schooling exercises to make him more elastic?
 
I've seen them work really well but i've also seen a horse go very lame in them. If you do use them make sure you have someone show you how to fit them properly but i would have thought if Koko lacks muscle maybe gridwork and hillwork would be a better option, slower but in the long run better.
 
Sorry don't know about weighted boots but my horse used to drag his off hind toe slightly when trotting in particular. My physio suggested a chain around his fetlock. I did a lot of research when trying to find the correct type of thing and in general I found weighting more popular in America, and I seem to recall there was a big movement to ban anything over 4oz being used. You can make your own from curb chains etc but I finally found a lady in France who supplies chains for arthritis to the dimension you need. My boy doesn't have arthritis but having the copper chain around his fetlock seemed to make him more aware of his footfall and has helped him tremendously in working properly and he now doesn't really need it. This was coupled with raised pole work and better riding techniques :)
 
Personally I wouldn't choose them and I don't like them. They are a quick fix and certainlty don't suit every horse and can sometime cause damage.
Like R2R said sometimes just jumping without boots on and letting them make and fix their own mistakes helps.
 
It isn't for jumping, his jumping is brilliant hardly ever touches a pole. Its for flatwork he can just be a bit lazy behind, but I would rather school this then quick fix.
 
I have also used a chain on one hind for a mare who had neurological damage - the chain/band gives more proprioceptive feedback - so the horse is more aware of where their leg is in time and space. For instance when you watch a surfer with their leg band walk down to the sea, they lift that leg higher and more obviously. Same kinda applies to travel boots!! With the above mare, I also had to tap her leg with a schooling whip as she lifted it to encourage her to lift it. This was not abuse, it was rehab.
Hackneys and Morgans often if not always schooled in chains in front to teach them to lift their legs. In principle, it is sound and does work. The practical application and the lengths that some people go to are what raises the ethical dilemma. In the wrong hands, these chains and whips can be terrible because they are usually coupled with other abusive training methods to get a faster or bigger response for show ring/competitive success. I have seen the fear in a hackney's eyes as the g***y lad training it lets out a whistle and the pony had to belt up the long side of the arena with its legs practically above its ears, blood dripping from its mouth where it was pulling the whole carriage on the bit, and the chains were there in force! But that's a whole other story.
But the principle does work - if you are trying to enable your horse to start a process of using his hind legs more, then it could be quite worthwhile. I would also suggest some gradual introduction of a pessoa? May be worth getting a physio opinion too? You could also try sausage boots or over-reaches on his hinds, which will make him more aware without adding any weigh. You could also try adding tiny bells to them, like from a cat collar... No, I'm not mad. Perhaps try that on the lunge first though... :rolleyes::rolleyes:

If you have ruled out any other reasons why your horse isn't working so well from behind, teeth, saddle, back, vet check etc, then weighted boots/chains may be worth trying. I'm not advocating a "quick fix" - it's a cue to help your horse understand and engage the muscles, so that this way of going starts to become the default. Lateral work with also help engage the quarters.
Stunning horse though, I wish you all the best with him!! :):)
 
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