Moving up to Prelim--do I need different xc boots?

[eventinglvr]

I've been eventing for a while now but am finally making the big move up to Prelim (yea!) and a friend of mine suggested I need to use sturdier galloping boots on my horse for xc. I've always pretty much stuck with Woof boots all the way around before. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[NeverTime]

Woof Boots are fine at any level. Be sure you can secure them well, with duct tape around the velcro fasters.

[cindylouwho]

My girl got new white Woof boots when she moved up to prelim, so she would look like a princess.

[Tdeventer]

I purchased these when I moved to prelim and they really help protect the tendons more

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_American_Style_Boots_p/0028.htm

I would also suggest the porter leg protectors which work really well.

Woofs are ok to use but not the greatest upper level xc protection for your horse.

[mjrtango93]

I went up through advanced and did 2 **, 2 ***, and a **** all in the double velcro woof boots. My baby is running prelim in the same ones. They worked well for Tango so I don't see switching now.

[GotSpots]

I prefer the Nunn Finer or the NEW boots, for the tendon/cannon guard. Need to be careful about rubs with these, but I think there's a benefit to having a firm guard, particularly as the fences get bigger and the speeds a bit faster. We don't use Porters until Advanced, and not even always then (depends on the horse).

[NeverTime]

It's hard for me to believe that ANY boots offer any significant protection against anything more serious than a scrape or a sideswipe from the opposite hoof winging by.

Porter protector, Woof boot, $12 galloping boot -- are any of them really going to protect an 1,100-pound animal's leg if it smacks into a solid obstacle at a high rate of speed? Likewise, how does any flimsy piece of material offer legitimate support to the tendons and ligaments holding up said 1,100-pound beast?

[Thames Pirate]

Nobody said anything about support. Research has pretty much shown any "support" claims to be false. There is no such thing. However, protection may be in the form of distribution of force, absorption of force, etc. A solid boot might prevent a stud from one hoof entering the tendon of another leg. They aren't foolproof--a hard knock can still break a leg. However, they CAN mitigate the blow. I'd rather have them than not, and I'd rather have a good one than a cheap one. It CAN save a horse, and I'd rather say he got hurt in spite of a boot than that he got hurt because he wasn't wearing one.

[keeneland]

As far as woof boots go, my trainer's horse cut all the way to his bone while wearing these on x-c. He had studs in, small roads, and was only going novice. I only know one other person who has had their horse tear through them. I prefer porters with saratogas, and using tubi-grip under them helps prevent any rubbing (baby powder helps too). I also use the nunn finers, but mostly for schooling, as they are harder to get clean for shows. Hope this helps!

[tbeventer]

I purchased these when I moved to prelim and they really help protect the tendons more

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Nunn_Finer_American_Style_Boots_p/0028.htm

I would also suggest the porter leg protectors which work really well.

Woofs are ok to use but not the greatest upper level xc protection for your horse.



I second the Nunn Finer American boots!!!! My gelding tore Woof boots AND the Nunn Finer galloping boots to shreds XC. One hit on something and the neoprene was done for. Sucks! I tried the N.E.W boots on him and they didn't fit well, so tried the American Style boots and they were perfect! I now own 2 pairs--one for each horse competing! I LOVE THEM! At a schooling session, he came down off a fence and smacked his front tendon with a hind hoof. A couple bad steps from being stung, but there was NO damage! Thank God for those boots or his career would have most likely been ended! They're easy on, easy off, nothing to roll, and I've NEVER had to use Duct tape on them! The velcro really sticks well!

On a different note, I suggest greasing the hind legs for XC when you move up to prelim and beyond... We had one rubbed stifle from comming down a large drop and I began using grease, eventhough I was the only one doing it! Now, a lot of folks I see are greasing their horses behind and having less rubs.

[kookicat]

I've been using these on my gelding for a few events now. I really like them- they don't move, hold water and have a tendon guard.

http://www.bitofbritain.com/New_Equine_Performance_Boots_p/9371-9372.htm

[eventinglvr]

Thanks everyone! I was particularly worried about him tearing through the Woof boots with a stud, so it was nice to see that talked about. I'll look at the Nunn Finer and New boots. Thanks again!!

[CookiePony]

What is the lining like in the Nunn Finers? Is it neoprene? The n.e.w. boots have fleece, right?

[KBG Eventer]

I am at Novice, but I use N.E.W. boots up front and the Nunn Finer American Boots behind. I like them both.

The N.E.W. boots I have are the kind with fleece on the inside, and they are hard to clean IMO. Also, they are a bit tricky to put on at first (If you get them remember to fasten the middle strap first)! I am not sure what the material on the inside of the Nunn Finers is, but it seems like it is different from neoprene...I could be wrong. The Nunn Finers are very easy to clean, and they fit my horse's big legs (actually wrap all the way around, lol), and the velcro works great.

These are expensive, but I have seen a few people using them at events. They seem very, very nice! The straps seem easier, and I love the air vent things.

http://www.hastilowusa.com/shop/index.php?action=item&id=209&prevaction=category&previd=12&prevstart=0

http://www.hastilowusa.com/shop/index.php?action=item&id=211&prevaction=category&previd=12&prevstart=0

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Thanks everyone! I was particularly worried about him tearing through the Woof boots with a stud, so it was nice to see that talked about. I'll look at the Nunn Finer and New boots. Thanks again!!



Been eventing for over 15 years....including at Prelim...never had an issue just using woof boots. Known people who have competed through Adv with them. I'm sure that there have been accidents with a stud going through....but that would be very unusual..and could really happen with any type of boot (hence why you put a boot on them to begin with). Personally...I like to ride horses that don't hit fences;) But I do have some of the NEW boots with fleece....they were a gift. Nice boots...but I still use my woof boots more.

Basically....just because you are going Prelim....you don't need new boots....however, wants and needs are two different things:)

Just remember....your horse is more likely to hurt themselves in their field! Or in my horse's....in their stall.

[tbeventer]

The N.E.W boots I bought that didn't fit my gelding were super light weight. I believe they were the competition boot. The inside was just a canvas type material, as was the outside.
The inside of my Nunn Finers is neoprene. I just pull them after XC and hose them off. If any sand or grass is stuck to the velcro or inside, I can brush them once dry, but they have not rubbed ANY of my geldings and fit everyone very well.

The problem I found with the N.E.W boots is that they didn't fit around my upper level horse's legs! He's quite refined for his size (16.3hh) and wears the same size boots as my 15.2 QH gelding yet they didn't even make it around his leg. I bought my Nunn Finer's at Mary's Feed in Del Mar, CA and got a discount because a friend of mine is a trainer on their list, so I believe I saved an ADDITIONAL 10%... it could have even been 20%!!!

[Equa]

We really like these - very light, very strong, have never rubbed even clipped legs, and don't need to be taped.

http://www.simviation.com/dalmar/home.htm

Have used NEW in the past, but they were hard to clean and the stitching came apart, and the hard strip broke (not sure how???)