Who hacks out in knee boots?

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MizElz

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Mum says she used to all the time, yet it isnt something she's really brought me up to do. When our stables burned down when I was younger, her old knee boots went up in smoke, and were never replaced. It also isnt something that was reinforced at Pony Club. I just wondered if many people here use them? I'm pondering it now, as Ellie isnt the most predictable horse on the road, and I'd like to think I'm taking as many precautions as I can to stop her injuring herself
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I useed to hack out in them, i had a lovely pair of leather ones, i am also tempted to Ted a pair shortly, as i have decided not to have shoes put on him and therefore i am going to worry about him tripping at first.

I think they are a pretty old school thing, but as i have a thin skinned horse again i think i will invest in a pair.
Lou x
 
I don't but I don't really do boots very much.

If you want some just get them, it's not like they can do any harm and it can make a mess if they fall on the road, espeically with Ellie being a fine little thing.
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the driving horses never wear knee boots, come to think of it i don't think i've ever seen a driving horse with any on. Touch wood tho, although we have had a couple go down over the years none of them have hurt themselves. I'm gussing it is rarer for a horse to go on their knees under harness than saddle as they only have their weight to contend with.
 

I must admit, I never used to when I was riding riding school ponies, for the obvious reason knee boots weren't provided but since having my own it's the one thing I insist on along with a hat.

I'd never forgive myself if my horse went down & damaged her knees because I was too lax to put boots on her.
 
Always for hacking. My girl went down on her knees going downhill about 18 months ago, amazingly with hardly a scrape. She's had them on every time since. She wears leather & suede ones
 
No I wouldn't dream of hacking out in knee boots unless I was riding a horse that trips over its own feet all the time. In the various yards I have had horses on (4) I've never seen anyone hack out in knee boots.

Unless you know your horse needs them then they are not necessary.
 
I never set out on roads or stony tracks without them. My horse has never tripped to her knees out hacking, but i would rather have the protection there anyway.
 
I do if im on a rather unpredictable mount,but i always use them in winter regardless of what i am riding.

I do think they are old school BUT they are so much safer.I think its very good practice to use them in winter.
 
i havnt as yet but am looking at getting a pair of those brushing boots with the knee extension as soph has gone down on her knees once (in a field so no damage done ) but she to is a nosey bag and forgets what her feet her doing when something catches her interest!
 
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No I wouldn't dream of hacking out in knee boots unless I was riding a horse that trips over its own feet all the time. In the various yards I have had horses on (4) I've never seen anyone hack out in knee boots.

Unless you know your horse needs them then they are not necessary.

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But surely in Winter you would?
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It only takes for a horse to slip or lose it's footing on tarmac & it could end up with shredded knees & be scarred forever.

As predictable as you perceive your horse to be, accidents can always happen so surely it's best to minimise the risk/injury/accident as much as you can?
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A girl at the yard rides out with Jeffries knee boots I always think its a good idea unless your horse is really sure footed. My highland didn't trip a day in his life and never wore them but my WB used to wear knee boots as he was the worlds biggest plonker and couldn't be trusted!

I don't wear them now as my mare does hardly any road work, we're only on the (flat quiet country) road for 50 yards then it to fields, if I was doing more road work I would wear them as she has fallen on the road before and has scarring on her knees, fetlocks and hocks from going right down. Then again she was bolting and galloped round a sharp corner, no surprise she lost her footing :s
 
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I always use them - as far as I'm aware horses can't have knee replacement surgery
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Bloody good job I'm not a horse!!!!
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Mine is sure footed, I know so after she jumped the electric fencing to her paddock & galloped off up into the village, skidding round the corner on two legs & doing a complete round of the village, jumping into & then out of someones garden & then down the main road. She finally came to a stop outside the Spar shop after some brave person waving their arms in front of her & another racing out with carrots
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I had my heart in my mouth the whole time as I had visions of either mashed pony, broken legged pony or scarred for life pony
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It's the worry that she 'could' go down that scares me. Especially in Winter & on tarmaced roads.

Plus, as has been pointed out, when a horse is being ridden it has added weight to contend with so the centre of balance changes.

I'd just rather be over cautious & safe than laid back & live in regret.
 
Thanks everyone for your input on this - I'm off out later to see if I can afford a pair! After a skittish moment on the road with a digger this morning, I decided that you just cannot be too careful with my horse
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My horse is sure footed not particularly spooky unless the mood takes him and I still wear knee boots. Never used to but wouldn't go out without them now. Never had an accident but prevention is better than trying to treat a knackered knee.
 
I hardly hack out because the knee boots I do have do not fit my horse and I am stuggling to find some leather ones that do not cost the earth for him.
 
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