Why use open fronts? / do you SJ in 'all-around' boots?

[charleysummer]

Is the only reason for open fronts so the horse can feel the poles?
Just wondered because I'm looking at buying some boots and with the intention of doing a bit of cross country, was going to look at buying some all over/ xc boots- is it just not the done thing to SJ in them too?

 

[Sarah_Jane]

You can use a good set of closed boots for both.The open fronted tendon boot is designed mainly as a show jumping boot and open in front to discourage them from hitting fences. Some people will use these boots cross country as well. Depends on your horse and how much protection he needs.

 

[stencilface]

I used closed boots fo SJ as my horse i very careful and hates to knock anything. My sister only uses overreach boots on hers for SJ as it does seem like he likes them on his legs

 

[ArcticFox]

I don't think the SJ'ers will frown if you use closed fronted. as others have said its due to trying to keep the horse careful. If they knock poles with closed fronted and don't feel them they could become lazy. that said, as SF has said some horses can be too careful with open fronts.

I personally use open fronts for SJ with overreach boots and closed fronts/overreach for xc. however I have been lucky and have been given them as xmas presents. if I had to choose I would use close fronted for all as they have multi uses. You wouldn't want to go xc in open fronts.

fwiw I love the dalmar boots - and I also used to use eskadron xc boots - which were lovely.

 

[Lyle]

Open front boots are also usually moulded out of a hard material over the tendon area, which provides a lot more protection to the tendons than a neoprene brushing boot would. So the two reason I SJ in open fronts is 1) They keep the horse careful 2) they still provide good protection to the tendons

 

[diggerbez]

i sj in open fronted tendon boots- partly to keep him careful and aware where his legs are- i would probably jump without boots TBH but do worry about him chopping into his tendon. don't use overreach boots for jumping as it can make them less careful. don't tend to use hind boots as his back end is very good but if he's gone a bit complacent i use veredus pro sports on the back to encourage more carefulness behind.

i XC in close fronted tendon boots and full back boots and also overreaches

 

[stencilface]

I used to SJ and XC in prolites on the front, but now I have some woofwear ones for SJ - the ultra boots I think? Could use them for xc, but don't seem as robust somehow.

 

[millitiger]

Depends on the horse.

Pilfer and Millie jumped with open fronted boots so they could feel the poles and helped to keep them sharper.

Vinnie will be doing all jumping in closed fronted xc boots- he is very careful and can worry if he hits a fence so I would rather have the occasional pole rather than wreck his confidence.

 

[floradora09]

I showjump in fairly bog standard brushing boots, purely because I xc too and at it was easier/cheaper just to have one set than faff about with lots. However he's not always particularly careful (he just loves jumping, and doesn't really mind how many we knock down!) so would probably benefit from some open fronts.

Would not like to xc in open fronts though!