Boot Tape

[archieflies]

Help me out wiht a very novice question. I'm two weeks out form my first event, and flipping through some pictures to get a feel for the venue and course. I'm noticing lots of the horses have what looks like brightly colored tape all over their galloping boots. Now does this serve some real purpose, or is this just another surface that must be made colorful to be "properly turned out" :winkgrin: for cross country?

[Highflyer]

Theoretically it's to keep the velcro/ clips on your boots from coming undone, but mostly it's for looks these days :) I think it's actually less common than it used to be--when I was a kid you rarely saw a horse without it, but I haven't seen it so much these days, at least around here. I haven't ever had velcro come undone, and I don't think they even make the old Ulster boots with the clips anymore.

[Evalee Hunter]

If the boots are held by Velcro hook & loop tape, then the tape keeps it from coming undone in rough situations. I think Pony Club used to require tape spiraled (not tape connected to tape but in a spiral down the boot) over boots.

Tape can be a safety feature as a boot that comes loose may trip a horse.

[Coneleganta]

I've had a boot slip to down over the fetlock... and the horse was not happy about it... and lets just say getting to the next fence was not his priority. Tape keeps everything secure, tight, and in it's place.

[Bobthehorse]

Most people tape for looks. I dont see electrical tape being stronger than velcro, it sucks when its wet, and if it comes loose it just flaps around. Now, duct tape or hockey tape, that would actually serve the intended purpose. And you really dont need anything unless youre going through water or going in wet conditions.

My boots never slip, no tape.

[Hony]

Most people tape for looks. I dont see electrical tape being stronger than velcro, it sucks when its wet, and if it comes loose it just flaps around. Now, duct tape or hockey tape, that would actually serve the intended purpose. And you really dont need anything unless youre going through water or going in wet conditions.

My boots never slip, no tape.

I don't think people use tape because it is stronger than velcro. It's just a little extra security, like adding an overgirth or tying a knot in the end of your reins. I like tape because it keeps the ends of the velcro down and my horse is less likely to open one up by getting it caught on something.

[WakeRider]

I use duct tape on all my competition horses, as a just-in-case. I feel that it really helps secure the boot on the horses, and i use it in a spiral down fashion to not create unwanted pressure! Also, it comes in a wide variety of colors via Walmart!

[Eyemadonkee]

What are the best type boots for cross country riding? I'm assuming neoprene lined, not fleece?

[Coneleganta]

For ammy low levels... probably Woof boots. The Toklat splints are probably fine too. Fleece will get bogged down and heavy with water, you want something that doesn't retain water (ie: neoprene)

[Bobthehorse]

Lots of people use Woof type boots at the ULs too. Most people here ride in Boogaloos instead of Woofs, which I think are a little more substantial, but I see lots at the ULs.

[TaskMaster<3]

I normally tape my boogaloo gallop boots with black electrical tape (the good stuff not the cheap one) for the normal shows. I think it can be more of a mental thing, and its one less thing to go wrong! For the champs or fei shows i normally use the black eletrical tape then the colored fun stuff on top, cuz it normally isnt to strong

i think is fun, and its an easy way to pick out those dark bays when looking at pictures! :P

[bambam]

Okay, the fact that I often used colored tape is because I like how it looks, but the fact that I use tape at all is purely a practical matter. I have had my hind woof boots slip a couple of times while schooling water complexes and HRH pitches a fit when they do it, so, while it is unlikely they will slip, that is not a chance I want to take on course