horse boots for eventing

[evans36]

Right now I'm riding in SMB Elites bc my ottb has a bow on the front left. It's old and set though, and he HATES the darn things. Like, will stomp around by the end of the ride some days. I haven't ever tried him in a pair of front-buckle boots because I thought the SMB Elites offered the best protection I could give his tendon. However, this pair has had about as much wear and tear as it can take, and since he hates them so, I'd love to hear what others who are worried about protecting an old injury are putting on their horses and why. And also in hearing if anyone knows whether the claim that SMB elites offer superior protection to the front-buckle boots is a marketing ploy that got me, or if it's really true... Thanks!!

[Little Valkyrie]

I had a hunt horse with an old bow on the left front that also had set. For the most part, I didn't use boots because I wanted to keep the legs as cool as possible because of the old injury. The problem with SMB's is that they offer little more protection than a brushing boot (such as a Woof type boot), they have essentially no support (despite what their marketing team will tell you ;) ), they trap a LOT of heat, and they retain water. If we were doing something that required boots, I just used the All-Purpose Woof boots and removed them asap after riding. For flat clinics I used white polo's on him, but they also offer little to no support so that was just to be fancy.

So, I would say it depends on the way your horse inherently moves as to whether he needs boots for the everyday schooling. And, as with any leg, but especially an injured one, keep it as cool as possible and any small change in size/temp may need immediate attention.

Hope that helps!

[evans36]

Thanks! By woof-type boot, do you mean just a hard-shell galloping boot? What are the benefits to the hard shell plastic vs the leather ones? And with leather, does sheepskin or neoprene keep cooler?

[mjrtango93]

I use these: http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=CA14A879-385A-4645-8C7C-49D3539758B1&ccd=IFH003&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_content=38271

and my horse also has a cold set tendon. I like them because the velcro is super sturdy and can take a lot of abuse. Not to mention monster child still hasn't figured out how to get them off by himself yet.

My friend who also has a horse with an old tendon uses these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-04483&tid=froogle&CATALOG_CODE=1X814&EID=X1814001&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=49&zmap=X1-04483&bhcd2=1245168209

I'm not as big a fan because the straps break and I am broke and can't buy new boots all the time.

We also have a few people that use these: http://www.legacytack.com/p/10455/Woof%20Wear%20Sport%20Brushing%20Boots.html

I like them for turn out because they are cheap and easy to put on, but the foam doesn't feel as durable and the other Woof's are piped on the edges to prevent them from tearing.