Weighted Jumping Boots?

[Void]

Anyone use these? My trainer suggested that my horse might benefit in training in them from time to time.

Anyone know where to get them, used possibly?

[ilmjumper]

Not sure about used, but try National Bridle Shop or anyother TWH/ASB saddleseat type of tack store will have them!

[MCarverS]

They sell a few brands in Dover, the most popular are the Doda weighted hind boots. Also, rather than using weighted boots, at home I go without hind boots or if I have to, I use simple ankle boots. Then, for big classes I will put on open front hind boots such as the Veredus hind open fronts or Eskadron hind open fronts, and I find that having them on the hind legs makes my horses much more careful behind and more apt to really kick over the fences.

[Across Sicily]

National Bridle Shop, World Champion Horse Equipment, Schneiders. (look in "gaited/Arabian")

[je.suis]

They're great! I put them on right before I go into the ring. I don't school in them. Makes a huge difference .

[kenyarider]

They're cruel and I believe illegel in Europe. Why? Think about it: would you like to go running with weights on your feet. Don't use them, they are a short term fix that can injure your horse permanently and USEF may be considering making them illegal anyway so why spend the money? It's like buying and using a shock girth - it's cruel. IMO

[je.suis]

I disagree. They aren"t weighted with 10 lbs. Obviously you have to be careful .

[LetsChat]

They're cruel and I believe illegel in Europe. Why? Think about it: would you like to go running with weights on your feet. Don't use them, they are a short term fix that can injure your horse permanently and USEF may be considering making them illegal anyway so why spend the money? It's like buying and using a shock girth - it's cruel. IMO

What is a shock girth and does it really improve performance. I would think it would act more like a bucking strap than enhance jumping. As for the weighted boots, know a few girls who use them on their horses. They have liked the results. I've never used them, I sort of feel you need to ride and train the horse to jump well but if it helps keep a rail up and win $$$ I can see the motivation. Further many people do exercise (walk / run) with ankle weights. I know a trainer at my gym runs miles with an entire weighted vest. There are worse things, like blistering or using those wires across the jump.

[twofatponies]

A shock girth? I don't even want to know.

[Void]

If I get them they won't be for showing, only for training at homes. My horse kept himself pretty tight today. This idea probably will end up on the "I wish" list as oppossed to something I'll by anytime soon. lol

Also don't really see how they are cruel, haven't seen any over 5lbs, most seem to be 3lbs or less.

[Cita]

Think about it: would you like to go running with weights on your feet.

Um, if I was trying to build up strength/endurance, yes? :p I have both ankle weights and wrist weights, and use them in workouts.

I don't know about the weighted horse boots - my concerns would be risk of injury (horse over-exerting and injuring itself) and safety (added risk of the horse catching a leg over a jump?) - but there's nothing inherently cruel about wearing light weights.

If that were true, then our horses would have to go riderless, or h/j riders would have to miniaturize themselves like jockeys! :lol:

[Across Sicily]

They're cruel and I believe illegel in Europe. Why? Think about it: would you like to go running with weights on your feet. Don't use them, they are a short term fix that can injure your horse permanently and USEF may be considering making them illegal anyway so why spend the money? It's like buying and using a shock girth - it's cruel. IMO

Yes.... 16 oz of weight is going to permanently injure my horse.

Betcha you don't like saddleseat horses much either, do you?

FYI, I go running with ankle weights on ;)

There's a huge difference between a SHOCK GIRTH (I can only imagine) and weighted bell boots... I mean, honestly.

[Janet]

Weighted boots are illegal for FEI compettions in both show jumping and Eventing (and got one US rider eliminated in Bejing).

Furthermore, there are USDA regulations whicn ban weighted boots on horses anywhere in the US (show or schooling). I think the limit is 6 oz, but don't quote me on that. The rules were developed in response to problems with TWH, etc.. But the way they are written they apply to ALL diseciplines.

I am not on my regular computer so I can't give you the exact reference, but it is pretty easy to find by google.

[Void]

Weighted boots are illegal for FEI compettions in both show jumping and Eventing (and got one US rider eliminated in Bejing).

Furthermore, there are USDA regulations whicn ban weighted boots on horses anywhere in the US (show or schooling). I think the limit is 6 oz, but don't quote me on that. The rules were developed in response to problems with TWH, etc.. But the way they are written they apply to ALL diseciplines.

I am not on my regular computer so I can't give you the exact reference, but it is pretty easy to find by google.

Well, like I said I'm not competing in them and I am not a Dressage rider so I suppose the USDA rule wouldn't apply to me.

Edit: my bad you meant Department of Agriculture weird.

[forward ride]

They're cruel and I believe illegel in Europe. Why? Think about it: would you like to go running with weights on your feet. Don't use them, they are a short term fix that can injure your horse permanently and USEF may be considering making them illegal anyway so why spend the money? It's like buying and using a shock girth - it's cruel. IMO


i too run with ankle weights. feels like my feet are weightless when i take them off, like my feet will fly right off the ground red bull style! if a few ounces on my horse's feet are cruel, then i better loose some weight myself ;)

incidentally, for those who put them on before going into the ring for a class, what is the rationale? i just haven't thought about it much but it seems like you'd want to school in them right before a class and then switch or remove them before the class so the horse feels like he has lighter feet?? idk. i could also see where lighter feeling feet wouldn't be picked up as much...

i used the doda "shaped" open front ones once & they were awesome, they weren't weighted at all though, just had that ridge thingy...

[shawneeAcres]

Well, like I said I'm not competing in them and I am not a Dressage rider so I suppose the USDA rule wouldn't apply to me.

Edit: my bad you meant Department of Agriculture weird.

Actually, although I don't have a problem with someone using weighted boots, you ARE governed by USDA no matter what discipline. My farrier has hackneys and morgans, it used to be that only the walking horses were check by the DQP ( a "police force" that is run by USDA and every walking horse at every show MUST be inspected and pass them before allowing to show or remain on the grounds), now they are starting to check other breeds and may even begin checking hunter! So watch your back, big brother is watching you! :eek::no:

[Void]

Actually, although I don't have a problem with someone using weighted boots, you ARE governed by USDA no matter what discipline. My farrier has hackneys and morgans, it used to be that only the walking horses were check by the DQP ( a "police force" that is run by USDA and every walking horse at every show MUST be inspected and pass them before allowing to show or remain on the grounds), now they are starting to check other breeds and may even begin checking hunter! So watch your back, big brother is watching you! :eek::no:


Hey, no need to flame or anything. I already put in the edit realizing that it was USDA, nowhere did I say I'm not governed by USDA. My mistake on the Dressage bit.

Though I was checking stuff out and it mentions chains, weighted shoes, and putting weights in the hoof wall. All scary things to me (especially that hoof wall part)

I really just want splint boots with weights. Is that so hard to ask? Not 24324523324 million pounds, just some added weight, what I've seen they come in 1-2lbs, 3lbs and 5lbs. I'd probably get the 1-2 lbers.

[Horsegal984]

I used weights to help convince my lazy horse to pick up his back feet over jumps. If he didn't feel like working he would just drag his back feet and not lift them at all. I've also used them on the back feet of a young horse during trot sets to help build up muscle in the hind limbs(under direction of my vet).

Since I had to buy on a budget I actually used adjustable ankle weights for humans(like from Target), and measured the weight of each individual weight 'bag'. There were about 5 in the 5lb set, so we used one on the outside of each hind leg, taped over polos. Worked great, and my vet felt comfortable that the setup would not hurt my horses.

I only used them for training tho, since I wanted the effect of taking them off and his muscle memory snapping those hind feet up over fences. Would school in them for a few days before a competition and leave them off the rest of the time.

[Void]

I used weights to help convince my lazy horse to pick up his back feet over jumps. If he didn't feel like working he would just drag his back feet and not lift them at all. I've also used them on the back feet of a young horse during trot sets to help build up muscle in the hind limbs(under direction of my vet).

Since I had to buy on a budget I actually used adjustable ankle weights for humans(like from Target), and measured the weight of each individual weight 'bag'. There were about 5 in the 5lb set, so we used one on the outside of each hind leg, taped over polos. Worked great, and my vet felt comfortable that the setup would not hurt my horses.

I only used them for training tho, since I wanted the effect of taking them off and his muscle memory snapping those hind feet up over fences. Would school in them for a few days before a competition and leave them off the rest of the time.

Thank you this was very helpful. What brand leg weights did you buy? I was inkling with the idea of modding human ones and wrapping polos over them but am also very iffy. But if you're vet was okay with it my vet and trainer might be okay with it too (and if not then I have a neato set of ankle weights that I can polo to myself when I run lol how awkward would that look)

[MCarverS]

i too run with ankle weights. feels like my feet are weightless when i take them off, like my feet will fly right off the ground red bull style! if a few ounces on my horse's feet are cruel, then i better loose some weight myself ;)

incidentally, for those who put them on before going into the ring for a class, what is the rationale? i just haven't thought about it much but it seems like you'd want to school in them right before a class and then switch or remove them before the class so the horse feels like he has lighter feet?? idk. i could also see where lighter feeling feet wouldn't be picked up as much...

i used the doda "shaped" open front ones once & they were awesome, they weren't weighted at all though, just had that ridge thingy...

As far as my jumpers go. I don't use the weighted boots for showing but rather, like I had said in my previous post, I use the open hind boots. If anyone has ever put boots on a horse for the first time, their reaction to this is usually to pick up their feet really high in the air until they become accustomed to them. I've found the same effect on my horses when I put the hind boots on right before I go into the show ring. Each jump, I can feel them being doubly careful not to knock back rails, they are just more aware of their hind legs with the boots on.

[shawneeAcres]

Hey, no need to flame or anything. I already put in the edit realizing that it was USDA, nowhere did I say I'm not governed by USDA. My mistake on the Dressage bit.

Though I was checking stuff out and it mentions chains, weighted shoes, and putting weights in the hoof wall. All scary things to me (especially that hoof wall part)

I really just want splint boots with weights. Is that so hard to ask? Not 24324523324 million pounds, just some added weight, what I've seen they come in 1-2lbs, 3lbs and 5lbs. I'd probably get the 1-2 lbers.

I wasn't slamming you or anyone for using them, I don't care, they don't bother me and doubt, with proper judicious use they bother the horse! I was making a comment on the fact that it may very well be possible in the future that we also have to have horses inspected by USDA in order to show, which is a MOJOR problem as far as I am concerned. I don't like the idea of the government telling me I can or cannot show.

[je.suis]

Weighted boots are illegal for FEI compettions in both show jumping and Eventing (and got one US rider eliminated in Bejing).

Furthermore, there are USDA regulations whicn ban weighted boots on horses anywhere in the US (show or schooling). I think the limit is 6 oz, but don't quote me on that. The rules were developed in response to problems with TWH, etc.. But the way they are written they apply to ALL diseciplines.

I am not on my regular computer so I can't give you the exact reference, but it is pretty easy to find by google.

If this was true, (illegally weighted boots) in the regular showjumping ring ie: grand prix, there would be very few competitors. FEI is totally different. I think Vetrolin might still be illegal in FEI. When used properly, the boots are very efficient.

[Janet]

If this was true, (illegally weighted boots) in the regular showjumping ring ie: grand prix, there would be very few competitors. FEI is totally different. I think Vetrolin might still be illegal in FEI. When used properly, the boots are very efficient.
Two distinct issues.

1- Are weighted boots a violation of USDA regulations (not "laws" per se)? Yes.

2 - Does the USDA do any enforcement at jumper shows? Not that I know of.

[Janet]

(from the thread about weighted boots after PD was eliminated in Beijing)


Found it
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/hp/hpatraining2004.pdf
scroll down to page 23

Specific Prohibitions:
�� ...
�� Boots or collars weighing more than 6 ounces, except for soft rubber or leather bell boots used for protective purposes.
�� ....
�� Boots or collars with protrusions or swellings, or rigid, rough, or sharp edges or seams....
which would seem to ban the Doda boots too.

[Foxtrot's]

Trust Janet - she eats rules for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

[faraway46]

I use them for training, sometimes showing, etc. If the horse has a classical style, it will be enhanced. If your horse has a hind end that is not his best feature (tucks under the belly, stiff back, etc), it will not do much. I have found horses with akward styles to stiffen or resist these type of boots since they don't know what to do with their body w/o them, niether will they figure it out with them on...
Also, you will have to change your balance during the jump, since the kick might tip you forward. If you have a horse that usually dives, you will feel it even more with these boots. Try them out first during training and have someone tape you so you can analise how they work for your horse and how well do you adapt to them.
Viv
PS: I think you can still use up to 300grms of weight during shows, but it is completely banned in FEI shows.