Would you boot up a horse who already has a tendon injury?

Aragon56

Aragon56

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I'm going round in circles at the moment deciding whether I need to get some tendon boots or not!

My horse has torn DDFTs in both front feet so is a light hack only. I wouldn't say she really needs boots, but should she be wearing something to support her tendons? On the other hand the worst has already happened so its not like I'm trying to prevent another injury, only the chance of her going lame again.

I know that boots heat up the legs which isn't good for her, so I was thinking about N.E.W airflow brushing boots, I can't find a tendon boot version though. I use combined knee & brushing boots by Westropp if going on the roads, but again the brushing part of the boot must be heating up her tendons?! I don't know if I should stop using them altogether, but I've never managed to find knee boots that were good on their own.

Thoughts please?
 
I would avoid medicine boots if at all possible - they really heat up the leg which is something you are trying to avoid.

What about those stretch and flex boots? they provide support but are breathable, the equilibrium ones
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No boot or bandage is going to actually support the tendon. I've read studies into this and basically when you think how much weight goes through a Horses legs you can see why this is the case. What they can do is protect against knocks and I woudn't have thought you would need that out hacking. Best bet would be to speak to your vet. It may well be that extra heat is more risky and even the best ventilated boots will cause some increase in heat. The ones that are vented are relying on faster airflow (ie cantering and galloping).
 
I see what you mean. She never used to wear boots unless jumping, I just thought that she should have something on. Do you think I would be best to not use anything at all?
 
Yes bandages will cause heat to some extent but they also will give a lot less protection against knocks than a hard tendon guard will.
In light hacking you won't get much heat building up though. I would honestly ask a vet who knows the injury and see what they think.
 
boots won't support the tendon and neither will bandages- both are just to protect against knocks.

i had a horse who previously pulled his tendon very badly and he only wore boots for xc with me as keeping their legs cold is much more important when they have previous damage
 
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