Silly Bell Boot Question

[EquineRider]

Hey everyone,

My horse just recently had shoes put on for the first time. He tends to over-reach with his back legs and it has caused sores on the back of his pasterns. When I put rubber bell boots on, it only rubs and causes them to bleed even more. Should I keep them off? Is there any other type of boot that I can use?

[dwblover]

Well, to be perfectly honest if the horse is overreaching so much that he's actually injuring himself he may have some veterinary issues going on. There could be some mechanical reason why he can't get his front feet out of the way in time for his back feet to land, etc. But to answer your question, I have had the best luck for turnout bellboots with the Professional's Choice Quick-Wrap bell boots. Never had them rub a horse and they are SO tough. You could also try the rubber bell boots with the fleece ring around the ankle, that's what my TB wears in turnout now.

[MassageLady]

dwb is absolutely correct. Most of the time horses with this problem have stiff or sore shoulders and need them to be worked on-massage therapy helps alot with this...and costs about the same as bell boots:winkgrin:

[magnolia73]

Random thought- are you sure it isn't fungus/crud? My horse spends all summer in a battle with scabs on her pastern, I scrub and treat with krudbuster.