why use boots?

[SHAYTAY]

I have noticed that a lot of people put boots of one sort or another on their horses. I have never used them, but i am wondering if maybe i should. I have 14.2 hh welsh sec D dressage pony, he is very well schooled and 16 years young! our school is a rubber outdoor type and can sometimes get deep. it is dragged and rolled regually. I am very carefull whilst out hacking and only canter occasionally when the ground is 'right' Can you tell me if i should use any exercise boots at all. He is sound as a pound.
thanks for your advise.

 

[DottyConnection]

I use lightweight brushing boots for schooling. Leather brushing boots for hacking and cross country and tendon and fetlock boots for jumping. All for extra preotection as my mare can be a bit silly and legs go flying all over the place. Only really need them if your horse brushes or dishes to protect them from splints, striking themselves etc. x

 

[Libbyn1982]

I've never used boots except tendon boots for when I had an oldie and we were showjumping as he had pulled a ligament previously. Also always use brushing boot out XC for protection against knocks and scrapes. Used to have to ride sorrel in knee boots as well for a time coz he kept tripping over his own feet!!!

 

[scotsmare]

I use them all the time - brushing boots when ridden, turnout boots in winter - have even been known to use stable boots on my WB with dodgy legs

You'll get lots of opinions on this - some folk absolutely hate the idea and will be quick to tell you!

 

[jesterfaerie]

I prefer to use bandages than boots.
TBH if I had something with a lot of feather I wouldn't use boots (never used them on my arabxwelsh apart from when lunging and he only had backs on).
I think the majority of people use it for peace of mind and as a precaution, better to wear them than pay for a vet bill imo.
I would ALWAYS use boots for xc and knee boots for hacking.
If you do not use boots and don't feel any need to use them then don't entirly up to the owners perspective on wearing them, don't just do it because others do it.

 

[Baileyhoss]

I normally use boots, only very very occasionally if they are in the wash or left at home do I go without and normally just a quiet session if that's the case.

i was out hacking when b was younger and he spooked, nothing drastic, but managed to completely tear the strike pad of his brushing boot in half. That would have been a mean injury for the sake of a £15 pair of brushing boots.

 

[flyingfeet]

Boots don't really support the leg per se, however they can deflect against bashes and rubs.

I personally use open fronted dalmar boots whenever I ride, this is because I am generally jumping and I want to protect against the horse striking themselves on the tendons with a hind leg, which is the primary cause of suspensory and flexor tendon injuries.

 

[Kenzo]

I think there used as fashion statements too often (not meaning everyone before anyone shoots me down) but by the sounds of what you have said...if they don't brush,why stick brushing boots on?, if they dont over reach, why stick OR boots on? if they dont cross....ok I think you get my drift.

If you horse is as sound as a pound, be proud that you have a sound horse with good movement and confirmation and that you take good care with your ridden work and make allowances for the ground conditions.

If you horse requires protection from bangs jumping, kicks in from horses in the field or added support when putting added stress on the limbs in dressage for example then yes...without a doubt, but it surprises me how many people just put boots on when they don't even know the real purpose of them or indeed if there horses really require them or benefits them in any way just for simple hacking and schooling.

 

[Shilasdair]

I use boots if I need them. I decide if I need them depending on a number of factors;
1. The horse's conformation, static and dynamic
2. The activity the horse is going to be doing e.g. flatwork or jumping.
3. The surface/ground conditions.
S

 

[Silverspring]

I don't use boots either, I would if I was jumping but for general schooling and hacking I go naked! Never had any injuries that could have been prevented by brushing boots and I've been riding without them for nearly 20 years

 

[star]

my old horse doesn't wear any boots - he just goes on gentle hacks now and then.

youngster wears nothing doing flatwork, brushing and overreach boots out hacking because we jump and he can be spooky and silly and jump on himself - he wears the same if we're jumping in the school and if going proper XC then he wears event boots and overreach boots.

 

[CorvusCorax]

It never bothered me until I saw the post about knee boots in the Picture Gallery.....

 

[Tia]

I don't use boots although I would if the horse needed them. If the horse brushed then I'd use brushing boots, if he over-reached then over-reach boots, tendon boots for jumping etc etc.

I don't use travel boots and would never use field boots unless I had a complete divvy horse, Lol!

 

[beanie176]

i got laughed at when i first put brushing boots on my irish cob, "shes a cob she doesnt need boots". Only after ussing them did it notice how much she brushed behind, and even more so after fun rides and hunting. She is also a proven tripper and as a result NEVER hacks without knee boots and any horse i ever have would always hack in them as have seen a horific injury on a horse that just tripped once.
Also with the tripping an issue she always has front brushing boots and again they saved a massive injury when she went down 1 day and shreded the straps!

I work on the motto prevention is better than cure

 

[Madam_max]

Hardly ever use them. Mind you madam dishes so badly and she has a leg in each corner, they don't brush

I do put them on for x/c or sponsored rides, but I rarely use them for SJ either.