XC Boots - priorities?

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icestationzebra

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Trying to decide on new boots for this year. Thought my priority was air cooled boots as I have read so much about heat weakening tendons - then I thought it would better to have really substantial tendon guards to protect against strike injuries and the 'affordable' air cooled boots I have looked at don't seem to have the level of protection I would like. Should I spend more on decent front boots with strike guards and just go for a cheaper back boot? Very confused
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and didn't get much spending money from santa as we were grown up this year and asked for 'house things'
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have you had a look at the premier equine air cooled competition boots? Archie gets turned out in a full set of them and they are fab value for money and his legs are never hot when i take them off. hes a prat in the field thats why he has to wear them!
 
Would agree on NEW they are good - I do not really like my prem equine ones they are a bit stiff and they move despite being done up tightly - as soon as I have some money I will be upgrading them.
I would choose something like Prolite, NEW, Sabre leather boots or Dalmar.
 
IMO i would put large tough tendon guards before air cooled technology because a horse is more likely to cause damage to a tendon through striking etc. than he is through heat induced weaknessing.

i have both mine (well they share
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) in eskadron xc boots because they are lightweight, extremely tough and durable, quick and easy to clean and also mud doesnt clog up on them.

Also think prolite and NEW xc boots are very good
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Protection is my priority because iof the short amount of time they will be on for XC. IMO unless you are paying for the Dalmer that are strong and aircooled, I would be going for tendon guard over aircooling, as their legs will be cooled as soon as they fnish anyway. Love my Prolites because of their strength, lack of water holding, and durability and fit.
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prolite, dalmar or new, depends on what you want, protection, aircooling etc. i have the new ones which are great and i used them on my boy, you can also put tubi grip under boots, "in thing " at the moment and very helpful for support
 
I am currently writng an article on this so this is going to be a long one!!
There is actually no scientific evidence that aircooled boots affect anything other than the surface temp of the leg and most experts would agree its the core temp that causes the damage. that is why if you are going to PRE cool the legs before fierce exhertion you would need to start a couple hours before, just as if you are cooling afterwards you should start immediately and continue for a couple hours.
A great many people favour these boots but i have found they are not always a fantastic fit, the edges are often hard and because of the fit, prone to rubbing the legs and the legs are still pretty hot when the horse pulls up after xc. Parisienne Girl point about turn out in them is a good one, if you need to turn out in boots these do seem to stop leg getting hot and sweaty in the summer at least but the air things got clogged with mud in the wet (which also happens during ridden work).
A synthectic boot will always heat the leg more than leather ones because leather can breathe though the newest sabre boots sem to have a lining/coating that might prevent this. i still favour a good set of leather boots above all else though.
for synthetics ones our wear prolite all round but i am also a great fan of Woof boots. One of their sponsored riders told me he dislikes their xc boots because they slipped but i think that was more to do with the fact that initially his horses wore tubigrip under them, which is stupid as they are not designed to be worn in that fashion and in fact i have noticed recently he has given up with the stuff and the Woof boots are back. On the other hand, Kitty boggis mother said she never has a problem and never used anything else for regular events. I also saw two horses running in the King George at Kempton in them.
The best advice is to get the best fit that you can afford. Good boots should not need to be taped padded or anything else in normal circumstances.
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Eskadron with a flexi-soft top. Seen too many horses damage their tendons because of cross country boots that are too stiff and hard at the top of the tendon. Eskadron also mould to the shape of the leg and fit very well.
 
Go with the best protection you can find for the money you want to pay. We have had v good experiences with Equiflect (v popular in the racing world, v similar to prolite) because they do not hold water or slip (even after 3 hours hunting) and have a great tendon guard, also young mare has NEW front boots and they also seem good.
On back legs have used ordinary double strap woof boots, equiflect shaped back boots (which are v good as have a flap which protects the front of the fetlock) and NEW brushing boots. None have slipped etc.
Personally wouldn't have anything with a stud fastening for XC (and I know this rules out the sabre boots which seem nicely shaped but imagine are v fiddly). IMO long velcro straps or double velcro are secure.

Fiona
 
Protection first. Rather a small increase in temp than a severed tendon.

The amount of time they wear their xc boots means that the heating effect is minimal I think- take them straight off when you'e finished and get cold water on the legs.
 
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