Buying your four-legged friend a pair of boots is not as simple as it sounds, especially with the vast amount of boots available on the market. Manufacturers tend to design boots for specific parts of the leg, so it is important you know what each boot will protect, and which disciplines they are intended for.
To make the decision a little easier for you, we have compiled a list of horse boots with a detailed description of their features and benefits. Take a look below and discover which boots you need in your tack room.
Brushing Boots
Brushing boots are used to protect your horse’s lower legs from potential knocks or injuries caused by the opposite leg or hoof. In brief, they protect the legs from ‘brushing’ injuries during fast pace activities such as galloping or jumping.
Brushing injuries can also occur in the field which is why some horse owners choose to add brushing boots to their horse’s legs before turnout.
Take a look at our brushing boots here: Brushing Boots
Tendon Boots
As the name would suggest, tendon boots protect the tendon bone. Tendon boots are placed on the horse’s front legs to protect the tendon bone from the back hooves – without protection the rear hoof could cause damage if a strike occurs, for example, when a horse lands after a jump they bring their back hooves forward to land – this is why these boots are popular with show jumpers.
Shop our tendon boots here: Tendon Boots
Fetlock Boots
Fetlock boots are used on the hind legs to prevent brushing injuries and knocks on the horse’s fetlock. They are usually hard shelled to protect against strikes from the opposite leg, however they can come in various other materials too.
Shop fetlock boots here: Fetlock Boots
Travel Boots
Travel boots are practically named as they are essentially boots that your horse wears to travel in. They are usually heavily padded and they often cover a large proportion of the horse’s leg. Travel boots can be placed on all four legs (although the shape varies between front & back) and they are a great way of protecting your horse from knocks or injuries when on the move.
Take a look at our large selection of travel boots here: Travel Boots
Stable Boots
Stable boots are a great way to protect and support your horse’s legs when they are stalled in their stable. Stable boots are also a great way of providing your horse with extra support after strenuous exercise. You can often get stable boots that have the additional benefit of cooling agents integrated into the design.
Stable boots can also be used to prevent your horse getting dirty before a big event, or simply to add protection if they are notoriously clumsy.
Shop our stable boots today: Stable Boots
Turnout Boots
Turnout boots are great if you have a horse that can get a little silly in the paddock. Turnout boots are there to provide your horse with added protection against strikes and knocks from their own legs, or other horses if they are turned out in a herd. These boots are usually crafted with breathable materials that keep your horse’s legs cool, whatever the weather. Many boots also repel mud which is ideal for horses that suffer with mud fever.
Take a look at our turnout boots here: Turnout Boots
Cross Country Boots
Cross country boots are essentially a brushing boot with increased protection due to the intensity of the discipline they are designed for. Cross country boots offer superior protection against lower leg knocks – in the event of a direct impact, i.e. with a solid fence, the cross county boot will absorb some of the shock.
Cross country boots often come with additional features such as water resistant material (ideal for water complexes), and air vents to keep the air flowing during a cross country run.
Browse our cross country boots here: Cross Country Boots
Dressage Boots
Concentrating on flat work? The dressage boot is simply there to protect your horse’s tendons and ligaments. These boots are also ideal if your horse has a tendency to overreach.
Shop our dressage boots here: Dressage Boots
