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 Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:17 pm
I'm looking for some boots for my horses, not splint, shipping or galloping boots. Is there an all-purpose boot out there? I've been looking for some boots for light trailering, not those big shipping boots for long distances and such just ones for protection. Same with boots that can be used for work on the ground and the saddle. Is there a type of boot than can do that for me? What about Sport Boots? they seem to have the wrapping of a boot for trailering and for work. I don't know what kind of boot to look for, there are a lot of different types out there. Thanks! smile
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:44 pm
What you could do is get a pair of split boots or sports medicine boots (Depending on your horse and their physical needs) and add a set of bell boots when you're in the trailer to protect the heels and the coronet. I've done that with horses that I couldn't wrap when I didn't have shipping boots.
Personally, I think that most sound horses don't need more than a splint boot for regular work. The sports medicine boots tend to be more if you have a horse that has problems with their suspensory ligaments, or if you're involved in a sport that puts a lot of strain on the suspensories, such as reining (I think). There have also been some recent studies on the actual effectiveness of a lot of boots, and the results were not great. A lot of the more "all inclusive" boots like the SMBs were shown to not offer that much protection against interfering, but because of the material that they were made of and how they completely encase the leg, they created a lot of heat in the lower leg, which isn't good. Splint boots don't offer much in the way of support, but they offer at least a minimal amount of protection from interfering. If you're looking for support, you might want to consider polo wraps, though if you've never used them, you'll want to find someone to show you how to wrap them and make sure you're tension is right. Uneven tension in polos, because they're used without a pad underneath, can cause cording and weaken the tendons. I'm not a huge polo fan, I prefer splint boots. biggrin
For trailering, I honestly prefer wrapping for longer distances because it gives them a lot more protection. I'm not a big fan of shipping boots because they don't offer that much protection and I've seen the velcro come loose and the horses will have them half-way off by the time we get where we're going. Once you get in the practice of it, it doesn't take more than 10 minutes to apply a quick shipping wrap over a quilt or a nobo. If you don't want to bother with wrapping (which most people don't, and I understand and didn't used to) then a split boot and four bell boots will offer the protection that you're looking for in the trailer.
The main question as far as what kind of boot you want is why are you wanting to put boots on? Is it just an added precaution? Do you want to support the tendons? Is there a suspensory injury that they're recovering from? Do they interfere already? Whatever kind of work boots you decide on can be worn in the trailer for short distances and offer some protection. You can get bell boots pretty cheap also. The main areas you want to protect for trailering, honestly, are the heels and the coronet. The likelyhood of them kicking themselves in the cannon while standing in a trailer are pretty slim (not impossible though! Horses are talented creatures when it comes to hurting themselves!) If they're going to step on themselves, it will be either the heels or the coronet that are most likely to get injured.
Hope that helps, and sorry for the novel!
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:40 pm
AriaStarSong What you could do is get a pair of split boots or sports medicine boots (Depending on your horse and their physical needs) and add a set of bell boots when you're in the trailer to protect the heels and the coronet. I've done that with horses that I couldn't wrap when I didn't have shipping boots. Personally, I think that most sound horses don't need more than a splint boot for regular work. The sports medicine boots tend to be more if you have a horse that has problems with their suspensory ligaments, or if you're involved in a sport that puts a lot of strain on the suspensories, such as reining (I think). There have also been some recent studies on the actual effectiveness of a lot of boots, and the results were not great. A lot of the more "all inclusive" boots like the SMBs were shown to not offer that much protection against interfering, but because of the material that they were made of and how they completely encase the leg, they created a lot of heat in the lower leg, which isn't good. Splint boots don't offer much in the way of support, but they offer at least a minimal amount of protection from interfering. If you're looking for support, you might want to consider polo wraps, though if you've never used them, you'll want to find someone to show you how to wrap them and make sure you're tension is right. Uneven tension in polos, because they're used without a pad underneath, can cause cording and weaken the tendons. I'm not a huge polo fan, I prefer splint boots. biggrin For trailering, I honestly prefer wrapping for longer distances because it gives them a lot more protection. I'm not a big fan of shipping boots because they don't offer that much protection and I've seen the velcro come loose and the horses will have them half-way off by the time we get where we're going. Once you get in the practice of it, it doesn't take more than 10 minutes to apply a quick shipping wrap over a quilt or a nobo. If you don't want to bother with wrapping (which most people don't, and I understand and didn't used to) then a split boot and four bell boots will offer the protection that you're looking for in the trailer. The main question as far as what kind of boot you want is why are you wanting to put boots on? Is it just an added precaution? Do you want to support the tendons? Is there a suspensory injury that they're recovering from? Do they interfere already? Whatever kind of work boots you decide on can be worn in the trailer for short distances and offer some protection. You can get bell boots pretty cheap also. The main areas you want to protect for trailering, honestly, are the heels and the coronet. The likelyhood of them kicking themselves in the cannon while standing in a trailer are pretty slim (not impossible though! Horses are talented creatures when it comes to hurting themselves!) If they're going to step on themselves, it will be either the heels or the coronet that are most likely to get injured. Hope that helps, and sorry for the novel! Thank you very much Aria! You always have great information. mostly The boots would be used for trailering, added precautions and well, protection. I have used polo wraps but I find them tyo be a hassel especially sine I usually wrap them up wrong when I'm putting them away so I have to re-do it do the velcro is not inside the wrap. Do the sport medicine boots just have like a "sport" boot in that shape and style, i've seen those used for work and trailering. or would it basically be the same thing? I know what they look like though. They seem quick and easy. Thanks for the tipss!! biggrin
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:42 pm
I've seen these too, would these work?
http://www.doversaddlery.com/woof-all-purpose-horse-boots/p/X1-04348/cn/117/
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:08 pm
Those are pretty similar to the splint boots I usually use, so yeah, those would be fine. If you're not looking for support, I would steer away from the SMBs. Too much chance for overheating of the tissue for me, and you have to make sure that they're adjusted correctly or they can cause even more damage. With polos, I always put the velcro together first, then roll into it. Then it's always on top when you finish. smile Just for reference... http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-04161&ids=1006756951 These are the SMBs that I'm referring to. They designed to cup under the fetlock to support the suspensory ligament and have an extra strap that goes under to give it more support. http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-04042&ids=1006756951 These are the splint boots I usually use, but any would work. And I'm glad I can help. smile
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:46 pm
AriaStarSong Those are pretty similar to the splint boots I usually use, so yeah, those would be fine. If you're not looking for support, I would steer away from the SMBs. Too much chance for overheating of the tissue for me, and you have to make sure that they're adjusted correctly or they can cause even more damage. With polos, I always put the velcro together first, then roll into it. Then it's always on top when you finish. smile Just for reference... http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-04161&ids=1006756951 These are the SMBs that I'm referring to. They designed to cup under the fetlock to support the suspensory ligament and have an extra strap that goes under to give it more support. http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-04042&ids=1006756951 These are the splint boots I usually use, but any would work. And I'm glad I can help. smile Aha! Thank you! now are just front boots ok or get both front and back? Thanks again! smile
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:42 am
For trailering I'd do front and back. For work, I'd do front and back with the splints, but you only need bells on the front, if at all. Totally depends on the horse and what you're doing though smile
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:29 pm
AriaStarSong For trailering I'd do front and back. For work, I'd do front and back with the splints, but you only need bells on the front, if at all. Totally depends on the horse and what you're doing though smile Ok. Thanks for your help! biggrin
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