Are sports medicine boots good for horses?

Are sports medicine boots good for horses?

Learn why it is beneficial to put horse boots, like sports medicine boots, on all four of your horse’s legs. Supportive boots like Sports Medicine Boots also help to protect the hind legs as well as the front legs from muscle and tendon strains.

What do sport boots do for horses?

A horse boot is a protective boot or wrap designed to prevent a horse’s lower leg or hoof from experiencing trauma. These injuries could result from activities like walking on rough terrain or damage from a gait irregularity. Horse boots offer protection and also absorb shock when a horse’s hoof hits the ground.

Should I turn my horse out in boots?

During riding sessions you may want to protect your horse’s legs with boots, but it’s usually a good idea to remove them when you turn out your horse—except in one particular case. Tendon boots and others that cover the legs trap dirt and heat next to the skin, which can lead to irritation.

Do horses need sport boots?

Many horses require a smaller size boot on their front limbs and one size larger boot on their hind limbs. Most Thoroughbreds of average bone and an average height of about 16 hands will require large boots, while warmbloods and sport type horses may need large or even extra large boots.

Should you use boots on horses?

Horse boots are used to protect the horse’s legs from injury during riding, lunging or turnout, as well as absorbing some of the shock on impact as a horse’s hoof hits the ground. Horse boots can protect a horse’s legs from interference that can lead to abrasions and splints.

What’s the difference between sport boots and splint boots?

Compared to splint boots, sports medicine boots help protect barrel horses’ legs during quick runs. They aren’t as padded as splint boots, but they provide more support to the tendons and ligaments. If left on for too long, they can cause your horse’s leg to overheat.

How should sports medicine boots fit?

The circumference measurement of the boot is more critical than the height because the boot must fit around the horse’s leg and overlap 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ to be effective. When sizing, the height of the horse and the coarseness of the bone should be taken into account, but these should not be the only determining factors.

How do you measure a horse for Sports Medicine boots?

If you are still unsure which size to get, you should measure the circumference of your horse’s front and rear fetlocks at the widest point (see picture). Then choose the boot size that is the next bigger size than your measurement.

What’s the difference between tendon and brushing boots?

Brushing boots protect all four feet from brushing injuries (when one of the legs knocks the leg next to it). Tendon boots protect the tendons in the back of the front legs from being struck by the back hoof. They also protect against brushing.