Who boots their horses?

My horse seems to have both his front legs coming out the same hole particularly when hes unfit so after buying some brushing boots (they were a bargain in a sale) and wearing them once, I saw how marked the strike plates are so realised when not wearing boots he must be doing this to his own legs, he now wears the boots for all activities.
 
millitiger said:
Quick Q- aren't the people who boot for all work and turnout worried about overheating the legs?

I am more concerned about that and the issues it can cause than strike/brushing knocks.
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Yes i am worried tbh, but i think its a case of weighing up the risks... work wise, mine wears trizone and equilibrium which are very carefully made as to not overheat and his legs are never sweaty under- i do worry about his turnout boots though. He wears turnout wraps by premier equine and although they are advertised as being breathable they are also pretty dense. If i was at home, or even just in smaller turnout groups i wouldnt be booting in all honesty. Unfortunately a lot of kicking goes on in his turnout group at uni (legs have been broken!!) so i dont want to take the risk. Its a difficult one though!
 
Zargon_91 said:
Yes i am worried tbh, but i think its a case of weighing up the risks... work wise, mine wears trizone and equilibrium which are very carefully made as to not overheat and his legs are never sweaty under- i do worry about his turnout boots though. He wears turnout wraps by premier equine and although they are advertised as being breathable they are also pretty dense. If i was at home, or even just in smaller turnout groups i wouldnt be booting in all honesty. Unfortunately a lot of kicking goes on in his turnout group at uni (legs have been broken!!) so i dont want to take the risk. Its a difficult one though!
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There are some studies that suggest the tendons only heat when the horse is in motion, and they only become hot enough 'to cause damage' when the horse is galloping/jumping. So unless your horses is running flat races or doing its own high level xc I wouldnt worry too much when turned out!

Mine wear boots when out for a few hours, they wouldnt wear boots if out 24/7 though as wet boots rub
 
I hack out in Westropp knee/brushing boots as it's very hilly roadwork where we are. If I'm going 'off road' I'll add a pair of PE sports boots behind as well. My horse is big, young and not yet 100% balanced all of the time!

I don't use anything for turnout - so far.
 
Ohh dear. I admit to having a boot fetish!

If I can be bothered I will bandage for flat work if not put either flexi wraps all round or soft tendon boots on all round

hacking I use tendons all round and overreach boots

jumping I have the big lad tendons on and overreachs if I remember them!

ATM due to suspected fetlock pull Z has elasticated bandages on under his front tendon boots to support his fetlock a bit more too

I don't turn out in boots, think it's ott and when it's wet etc.... No thanks :D
 
badgermyers said:
There are some studies that suggest the tendons only heat when the horse is in motion, and they only become hot enough 'to cause damage' when the horse is galloping/jumping. So unless your horses is running flat races or doing its own high level xc I wouldnt worry too much when turned out!

Mine wear boots when out for a few hours, they wouldnt wear boots if out 24/7 though as wet boots rub
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Have you got the link to those studies please? Would be interested to read :)
 
Never when I'm pootling around a springy rubber arena or on a basic hack. I expect my horses to know pretty much where their legs are at all times.

But they are reiners and when I am running them on deep surfaces, for sure they are well booted all around - sports boots and overreach boots in front, iconoclast boots or bandages behind. The athleticism I require of them in terms of sharp manoeuvres means support and anti-abrasion protection is paramount. I also always carry a pair of neoprene knee boots and skid boots on the saddle for when we are going to be working on our spins or stops, these are put on when I'm working on spins or stops and are removed and put back on the saddle as soon as possible afterwards, so they don't cause legs to overheat or grit to rub into skin.

I guess the great advantage of the Western saddle is that you always have D rings and nice bit behind the saddle to store things which you don't need on your horse all the time - along with your drinks bottle!
 
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