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| Baby giraffe |
I've mentioned her energy levels and love of play time a lot here. What I haven't mentioned is that it's not unusual for her to come back with nicks and dings on her legs. It doesn't seem to be confined to one leg, it seems like basically anything from the knee or hock down is fair game from her other hooves. We're on tiny cut number 3 in the last month, which shouldn't be a big deal, but it's summer, and there is dust and flies and they take a bit to heal. I am tired of hosing and using multiple containers of fly repellents and magic healing potions. I don't want any teensy scars on my perfect pony that I spent too much on :).
So help me, because I'm new to this. My other horses have been nice enough, and athletic enough, but nowhere near motivated or bendy enough to injure themselves so creatively.
I'm actually embarrassed to admit this, but I've never bought any kind of boots or wraps for my horses before. Bridget is the first one I've used them on and she's actually won two full sets of jumping boots for herself as prizes from shows, so I don't over think it and just use those when my coach says to :) (Bridget's boots are obviously too big for Sophie)
I'm actually embarrassed to admit this, but I've never bought any kind of boots or wraps for my horses before. Bridget is the first one I've used them on and she's actually won two full sets of jumping boots for herself as prizes from shows, so I don't over think it and just use those when my coach says to :) (Bridget's boots are obviously too big for Sophie)
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| Cute pic of Bridget, just because |
What sort of boots do you prefer? As far as I'm concerned, she's going to have to be naked in turnout, but I wouldn't mind something to stick on her when we're out and about or for the first hour or so when I swap her field around (which is usually when she feels the need to show off her extra....special...moves anyway!)
Bonus points if it's something we can continue to use once she's under saddle, because I'm poor. Extra special bonus points if it doesn't involve wrapping or special care. What do the cool dressage kids use? Is there a version of that for ponies?
Google is presenting me with way too many options and I'm over thinking it. Basically I need something that comes in 14hh sporty pony size, and will protect her legs from the effects of potentially interfering with the other 3 legs. I'm not so much worried about support or anything like that, just something to effectively bubble wrap her and keep those legs pretty :)
Google is presenting me with way too many options and I'm over thinking it. Basically I need something that comes in 14hh sporty pony size, and will protect her legs from the effects of potentially interfering with the other 3 legs. I'm not so much worried about support or anything like that, just something to effectively bubble wrap her and keep those legs pretty :)
You're going to have a lot more options with her cannon bone size vs. Bridget's - ask me how I know! I'm not sponsored by them anymore, but I do still think Majyk Equipe has the best boot on the market. They're extremely cool, they don't contain neoprene, and they have lasted me years and still look good. Connor (who is 14.1 and change) has the small fronts and medium hinds in this sport Dressage boot: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Majyk_Equipe_ARTi-LAGE_Technology_Sport_Dressage_Boots/descpage-MDB.html
ReplyDeleteaw i loved the MEs so so so much and they were one of my first big splurges when i finally felt like Isabel and I were "real" eventers haha. but they always spun on her and rubbed. my friends have had the same issue with multiple generations of the boot :( tho when they do fit the horse they seem wonderful!
DeleteThey certainly sound worth a look - thank you for the feedback :D
Deletecharlie wears splint boots up front for every single ride always to protect his surgical limb. my most common go-to boots are my Woofs. they're simple, budget friendly, never seem to rub, are reasonably durable for what they are, come in all sorts of colors, fit a wide range of horsey legs, and don't typically budge - even on extreme trails and through water.
ReplyDeleteneoprene boots fell out of favor in recent years, but the research that prompted that sentiment is highly suspicious, and not really borne out by real world circumstances. in other words.... it's essentially a gimmick. human athletes who wear neoprene are a testament to that. so... yea, basic splint boots are a great option, esp for a baby who might be rough with them - it won't break the bank having to buy a new set every now and then.
dover has some great simple galloping boots too that have worked well for charlie. if you want to go fancy, there are dressage sport boots (with on-trend fuzzy lining), and PS of Sweden has some pretty wild ones too but they seem better suited for narrower cannons. i've also liked the le mieux cross country boots i've tried, tho my last set rubbed charlie and i sold them.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t trust the build up of heat thing. I know several people who’s horses were fairly seriously injured when they hit themselves during work and weren’t wearing boots. I don’t know of anyone who had a horse that was injured or retired early due to a build up of heat or anything that could have been caused by that.
DeleteBridget's boots are Woof boots, and I like them just fine! There are a couple of horses at the barn tho that had some pretty serious allergic reactions to neoprene boots, so I'm probably letting the color my decision a little. The DSB and PS of Sweden ones are beautiful but probably too fancy for a baby who's going to trash them!
Deletere: the heat build up. I can see how they would, just because like Amanda says, if you've ever had to wear neoprene, it's pretty hot. On the other hand, given our climate and the amount of time my horses actually wear boots vs the risk of injury from hitting themselves or xc jumps, yeah, heat build up isn't something I'm too too worried about.
DeleteYea that’s reasonable. I don’t disagree that neoprene is hot - I disagree with the assertion that the heat causes “cellular death” in horse tendons and soft tissue during the course of exercise, as extrapolated by boot companies based on research experiments conducted in Petri dishes. Those research conditions just don’t match the reality of a horse leg, and the assertion that covering the leg surface impacts the interior temperature of a tendon isn’t supported. Anecdotes aren’t the same as science but I would use cell phone holder arm bands that runners use as an example. Many are neoprene. Haven’t heard many examples of runners saying “I have a heat related tendon injury in my arm from covering the arm surface with neoprene” even as they may be a little extra sweaty where the band was.
DeleteMostly I just care about this bc I hate any marketing gimmick using disinformation to scare horse lovers into buying a more expensive product lest they risk injuring their beloved ponykins. The horses are fine!! They can handle a little heat. They can live in the desert, and can apparently wear non breathable memory foam pads on their backs without issue. Leg boots are more likely to injure a horse by rubbing or by getting tangled up on something than they are by being too warm.
Love this, thank you for your thoughts. The horse world is terrible for pseudo science to market or discredit products. I have to admit I often don't know what information being put out there is based on actual relevant research and what is not.
DeleteI am a big fan of Majyk Equipe boots as well, mostly because they're the most breathable boots I've ever used and the company does more independent research and development than any other company I've come across. I don't do neoprene (as an open water swimmer who has worn more neoprene than one person ever should, I can say that it holds heat like crazy - I hated putting it on my body, would not put it on a horse's leg structure that is proven to be weakest when it is hot/in work!) or faux fleece (it holds dirt and debris). They have to fit though, that's true of any boot. In the past couple years ME has expanded/changed their size range... they now make a Small that is designed to fit horses 14h-15.2ish. Not sure if those might fit her right now or not. They have measurements and charts on their website that should help you figure out whether or not they would fit. Mine are very easy to clean, stay put, don't hold water or heat, and have held up well to abuse. Never had a problem with spinning or rubbing as long as they fit properly and, even more importantly, are put on correctly. A lot of people put them on a bit off-kilter, especially the XC boots... I see that ALL THE TIME. If you have any doubts, they have videos showing the proper way to apply and fit them. They aren't the cheapest on the market, but they last and they offer excellent protection with their dilatant foam technology.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest set is 4 years old and still trucking along, so they've ended up being pretty cheap when you look at it that way.
2 votes for Majyk Equipe! Thanks for the feedback, I very much appreciate it!
DeleteI don't generally put on boots (even to ship *gasp*) because of the heat they can generate. If she's dinging herself with her hooves would bell boots work to sort that out? I wonder if she wouldn't find boots a great toy to rip off and play with, given her nature.
ReplyDeleteShe's dinging herself above where the bell boots would protect, although I do plan on using those as well just in case! Yes, the more I think about it, the more I suspect she would, in fact, destroy them, just for something to do and I shouldn't spend too much money on them. Maybe accept that they'll be temporary and get beat up, and expect to have a different set when it comes to riding.
DeleteI second (third?) the Woof boots, especially for what you're looking to use them for. :) For endurance I wanted boots that would fit two very different leg types (skinny TB cannon bone vs cobby RMH cannon bones) to protect their legs from their studded shoes over technical (rocky, muddy, steep) terrain. I wanted boots that wouldn't hold water, wouldn't spin nor rub, were easy to clean, wouldn't break the bank, and were easy to remove/put back on at holds where time was crucial. I tried the cheapo splint boots first ($20/pair on Amazon) because they seemed to be popular and was dismayed to find they would not NOT stay in place when we started moving at speed through technical footing: they would slide down and bunch up around the girls' fetlocks. Those got tossed and I went for the Woof Boots next...and was incredibly pleased with them. Both horses were ridden over some of the toughest terrain in the VA and WV mountains with those boots and the boots did their job of protecting legs while staying in place and fulfilling each of my requirements on two horses with very different bone structure in their legs. I've slapped them on for hauling short distances and for turnout in new places, and I've been very pleased with them. Have had them for 3 years now and they're still going strong!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excellent review! I've ordered a pair in the small size to try on her!
DeleteEskadron hard shell, they have a value four pack (fronts and hinds) still have Ramone's fronts for Dante, though Ramone was narrow behind and interfered so the hind boots only lasted 3 years before getting tossed.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look into those - we've got quite a few retailers here selling Eskadron products quite reasonably and I've been happy with their other products I've tried.
DeleteI use Eskadron hard-shell boots for my jumpers. You can find cheaper brands that are the same thing -- like Roma.
ReplyDeleteFor the price point, I might try the Eskadron ones for Sophie as well. I did order some woof ones, but two pairs wouldn't be a bad idea in our (muddy) winter climate. Bonus is that brand name would be an easier resale if they don't fit.
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ReplyDelete