Why don't more racehorses wear boots?

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Cash

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I am a bit of a racing numpty, so forgive me if this is a really stupid question. :p
(thinking about NH racing not flat btw!)
I just would have thought they'd want to protect their legs more, and surely it's not to make them more careful, because aren't most of the fences made of brush anyway? :confused:

Like I say, I have no idea so please feel free to laugh at my ignorance. :)
 
Ooh you got me all excited there, seeing I had a reply..but no, you're no use :mad: :D

Hopefully someone will come along and enlighten us soon :D
 
The place where my ex racer came from ran few horses in boots - I think it is a fact of if the boot came loose or move d etc mid race then could it cause an issue. The only horses they ran in any sort of boot was a couple that speedycut so had back boots on to protect as the skin injuroes they got could affect their training schedule
 
Boots can collect mud and add weight or rub when the ground is soft. Also if the horse has had a previous injury the boot will not sit evenly on the leg and can therefore cause damage to the tendon. The less restriction the horse has on the leg the better and if a boot is used it must be put on very carefully as any uneven pressure or too much tension can cause damage.
 
I always wonder about this.......

With todays advances in leg protection surely something like the NEW lightweight xc boots which weigh virtually nothing, never move and dont let dirt in would be essential for protecting those rather expensive legs!!

Interestingly enough though the vast majority never wear anything travelling either - something which I think it a very silly risk as its easy for a horse to stand on himself in the box (of course unless you have a complete nutter that you cant put anything on like I used too!)
 
Many more racehorses in Ireland wear boots compared to when I watch C4 racing from the mainland, so I think the reason(s) for not wearing are more complex than fit and/or weight.

I must admit I notice this, as boots are so well designed, light and protective now I can't really understand why they aren't worn more.

Fiona
 
Race horses don't wear boots to keep their legs as cool as possible. Thats also why they dont wear boots when travelling. Hot legs over 42 degrees = tendon damage. Obviously when racing the leg muscles are doing so much work the legs seriously heat up. Boots only protect against external injury which has a better prognosis than tendon rupture.
 
Sam22 said:
Race horses don't wear boots to keep their legs as cool as possible. Thats also why they dont wear boots when travelling. Hot legs over 42 degrees = tendon damage. Obviously when racing the leg muscles are doing so much work the legs seriously heat up. Boots only protect against external injury which has a better prognosis than tendon rupture.
Click to expand...

That is just the reason I was given when I asked this question. However, when I was in racing we used to bandage most horses, and that was on the flat, because owners wanted it.

One mare I used to do fell at Huntingdon (during a flat race)and the Course Vet said that if she hadn't been bandaged he would probably have been shooting her there and then rather than sedating her for a trip home. Swings and roundabouts it seems.
 
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