A large number of horse owners are in doubt whether they should use protective boots, which type is the most helpful and should they use them on all four legs. Well, my suggestion would be that every horse owner should seriously consider using leg protection on all four legs. These can help prevent muscle and bone injuries – the splint bone, the tendons, and the ligaments can easily get damaged if there is no external support. The types of protective boots vary, and each type serves its own purpose. In order to get detailed information, keep on reading about how each type of horse boots can help your horse stay protected and offer maximum performance.
Bell Boots
Bell boots are usually made of heavy synthetic material, leather or rubber. In order to keep the horse safe from injuries, this type of protective boots encircle the pastern and the bell shape covers the entire hoof. They are particularly handy when the terrain is muddy or rough, and in cases when a horse has the tendency to overstep/overreach, which could damage the hoofs. If you can’t adjust them properly, there are types of bell boots that can be pulled on.
Knee Boots
Knee boots are an effective complement to protective boots. It is knee boots horse owners use in order to avert bumps and bruises, thus keeping equine knees healthy and sound. The usage of knee boots horse enthusiasts should always keep in mind since they offer protection against injuries caused by knee-to-knee interference without added bulk. Additionally, by providing knee boots you will guard your horse’s lower legs against kicks, knocks, falls, hard stops and other impacts that can cause even permanent damage. A very convenient type of knee boots are the therapeutic ones. They are ideal for injury recovery or prevention in the tough-to-wrap knee area. The material used for this type of boots is neoprene for the exterior and special Weltex material for the interior – which increases blood circulation. Moreover, for the reduction of knee inflammation and increased mobility, you can consider magnetic knee boots. These come with 11 magnets that treat the knee area and are recommended to be used 30 minutes to 1 hour a day.
Skid Boots
Skid boots are used on the hind legs during work, especially for cases when horses can get their legs intertwined. They protect the lower legs, the fetlock joint, and the pastern. Skid boots are most often used for protection from contact with the riding surface during fast stops and turns. The material these come in is leather or fleece, or a synthetic material that provides cushioning.
Finally, none of these features would be useful if the horse boot is not the correct fit. They often come with straps that allow you to adjust them. But, always be aware that before purchasing you need to take your horse’s measurements in order to find the best fit to meet its needs.
