Weighing boots

[Janet]

Were they weighing boots at Rolex?
At Jersey Fresh?
At other CIC and CCI?

[tuppysmom]

I have never seen boots eighed. Checked for foreign objects, yes.

[flutie1]

Were they weighing boots at Rolex?
At Jersey Fresh?
At other CIC and CCI?

No, we weren't weighing at either Jersey or Rolex. We just inspected boots randomly for "foreign objects." In fact, I was unfamiliar with the rule until Jan Stephens, a Canadian FEI Steward gave us a "mini clinic" at Maui Jim. She had apparently done it at a jumper competition in Canada.

flutie

[three_dayer]

they did it at NAJYRC, only 1 or 2, but they weighed every show jumper boot there...

[Sightunseen]

For the Gold Cup Series at Twin Rivers *I Think* they checked everyones boot, not a large crowd out here, and probably weighed any they felt were over weight....which was none

[lucretia]

in europe i havent seen anyone weigh them though the rule came in in febuary either showjumping or eventing. bet phillip dutton didnt even know there was a rule and he wouldnt be alone either. pity he got caught out i dont think it was intentional at all.

[Crazy_Eventer]

so this may seem like a stupid question, but why does the weight of a horse's boots matter? I get the whole "checking for foreign objects" thing with spiked boots, but why would anyone have/want heavier boots?

[beeblebrox]

"Crazy_Eventer so this may seem like a stupid question, but why does the weight of a horse's boots matter? I get the whole "checking for foreign objects" thing with spiked boots, but why would anyone have/want heavier boots?"


"Back dysfunction is an important reason for impaired performance in sport horses. Limb movements influence the movements of the back and factors affecting the limbs may therefore affect the movement of the back. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of weighted boots on the fore- and hind limbs on the movement of the back. The back kinematics of eight horses was studied at the walk and trot on a treadmill. The ranges of movement (ROM) of the back were compared intra-individually, using Wilcoxon matched pairs test, when the horses moved with and without weighted boots on the fore- and hind limbs, respectively. Differences were considered significant at P<0.05. Weighted boots on the hind limbs increased the ROM for dorsoventral flexion and extension in the lumbar back at the walk and decreased the ROM for lateral bending at the thoracolumbar junction at the trot. Weighted boots on the forelimbs decreased the ROM for lateral bending at the withers at the trot. Knowledge of the effect of weighted boots on the back movement is useful in training and rehabilitation of sport horses. Weighted boots on the hind limbs at the walk may induce strengthening of the flexors of the lumbar back and increase the flexion–extension of the lumbar back under controlled conditions."

[MTshowjumper]

so this may seem like a stupid question, but why does the weight of a horse's boots matter? I get the whole "checking for foreign objects" thing with spiked boots, but why would anyone have/want heavier boots?

Jumper riders sometimes use weighted boots (with lead inserts) to encourage horses to jump clean. Usually these are weighted ankle boots. I have seen them put on after the warm up right before they go in the ring so that the horse is extra aware of its hind end and makes a bigger effort.

Honestly it is not something that I would do myself, but I have known top riders (eventers included) that have done it. I was working for an eventer that had some and they where pretty heavy. I can see why the FEI might want to regulate them so they don't go overboard.

[AUeventer]

Are the boots illegal in warm up too or just in the ring??

[Janet]

Are the boots illegal in warm up too or just in the ring??
Illegal anywhere on the grounds.

[HT Mom]

Are weighed boots illegal for XC as well as stadium rounds?

[Janet]

Are weighed boots illegal for XC as well as stadium rounds?
You would need to check with the FEI.
It is only the Show Jumping phase of FEI Eventing that "inherits" the FEI Jumper rules. But the jumper rules say "anywhere on the grounds".

Common sense would say that "anywhere in the grounds" for jumpers translates to "warming up for Show Juming" for eventers.

But my version of "common sense" doesn't always match the FEI's, so you would want to check with them.

[McVillesMom]

FWIW, they were weighing them this weekend at Richland Park.