What boots are suitable for a HT?

[JAK]

MD wants to take the Baggage to a Hunter Trial in a few weeks time but she has no boots at all really. (I have overreach boots & a pair of fetlock boots that might fit her but nothing else in her size - she is a 13.3hh Fell pony sort of thing!)

There is so much choice now in boots, it is really confusing & I don't want to buy the wrong thing! (She has been practising in cobbled together sets of bandages, brushing boots etc. but is likely to turn into Taz the Tasmanian Devil on the day & I feel she should have some decent protection!)

I don't have loads to spend on hugely expensive boots & they won't be used that often, so I will also be looking at secondhand but am not very hopeful as she is only pony sized!
Any ideas? What does she need (ideally) & any recommendations?

 

[Pidge]

Long time no speak Jane

Have you popped in to Eccleshall to see what they have in their 2nd hand bit? I'd lend you some of Pidge's boots but they might be too big

friend bought some woof boots that are pretty good, will see if I can find link to them

Is she doing Ranton then? touch wood me and sis are doing the mini one and perhaps the pairs if we're feeling brave

http://www.woofwear.com/public/wb0026.html

 

[wench]

try some premier equine ones, they are cheap compared to other makes. I have some of thiers, and they are good.

 

[TiaPony]

i have the premier equine ones but i don't think they come in pony!
woof wear are good

x

 

[JAK]

I was looking at the Clarendon boots that cover pretty much everything but don't have 120 quid for something that will only be used a handful of times, so will have a look at the WW ones then as Premier Equine, whilst good, only seem to cater for horses unfortunately!

Yes Sue, she's going to try Ranton but am not very hopeful - the beastly creature (pony not child!) has never gone round clear with anybody & is almost impossible to hold once she's got going!

 

[LEC]

If you are only jumping little and your pony has never worn boots I would not bother. I have never in 25 years of competing seen any accidents happen to ponies on xc through a lack of wearing protection.
Never buy Clarendon for xc they are useless. They can be too easily over tightend and they have no tendon protection what so ever. In my opinion they are nice looking but rubbish for xc. You never see top event riders use them for a very good reason there is a lot better on the market.

 

[JAK]

Oh, thanks lec! I just saw some on ebay & they looked (& sounded!) really good! These ones:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clarendon-Three-Da...VQQcmdZViewItem

Pony is very sure-footed but monstrously strong (kinda obvious when it's attached to a kimblewick on the bottom slot! lol) & I thought we might get funny looks if she turned up wearing only a pair of overreach boots, the only boots she really needs! lol

 

[LEC]

I really would not stress about it. I think it gets kind of crazy watching ponies go round 1'6 courses fully togged up with boots all round. I remember being desperate to have boots on my 11.2hh pony and was never allowed as he did not need them.

 

[RachelB]

I agree with lec, if they're only little jumps don't feel the need to conform to the trend! Especially with a Fell, they have enough feather to protect them from knocks anyway. I used to XC my feathery Welsh Cob in front brushing boots and over-reach boots (because she had an awful technique and was at risk of slicing her tendons, and regularly over-reached when jumping). I got some funny looks at PC rallies for not having back boots on, but Lily snatched her back legs up so far anyway that tere was no chance of her hitting anything! This was when I was in rallies with rich PC types, with their "I won my last three JRNs" horses. We really didn't need boots behind, so we didn't have them!
If you really feel have to have something, get some with some decent tendon guards in front.

 

[JAK]

Well, she has survived 14 years without boots & seems to know where all her legs are, so I reckon she should be OK without anything super-duper then! I'll just put a pair of front boots on 'for show' & leave it at that!

 

[PapaFrita]

Hi Jane!!

I know it's not quite the same thing but I never put boots on A as he doesn't brush or knock himself (I expect someone will say "Ah... but one day..."

) I always get asked about it and grooms get a bit stressy about it. PF has tendon boots in front because she does knock herself quite alot (can hear her do it, though to be more accurate, it's actually brushing) but not behind - another groom-stressing habit of mine

Oh, that and not bothering to remove shavings from tail

 

[JAK]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, that and not bothering to remove shavings from tail

[/ QUOTE ]
Disgusting, I am horrified - not sure I should be taking advice from such a shockingly grubby oik!

BB never knocks herself but I guess when your legs are as far apart as hers are, brushing is seldom a problem! lol
She does have a nasty stop in her though & can go from flat out to full stop in about 10 feet apparently but I suppose if she's got it down to a fine art by her age without cutting herself or ending up covered in lumps & bumps she'll probably survive!

 

[rforsyth1984]

if you want cheap, why not go for gamgee and bandages, plus over reach boots? This is what I used taking the ginger one round the 2' course

 

[helenlaw23]

It may be just me but i get funny about xc in bandages. Im sure many a person has gone round courses with bandages on just fine but id always worry that they would catch on something especially jumping logs and things! *shudders*
Id stick with simple brushing boots or nothing at all!

 

[Nic]

"The Tank" does XC in WW club boots. They come in Royal blue you see!