Pros and Cons of using boots (for horses)
Kristina Frolander
Well, I hope the subject makes sense. Could someone tell me the pros and
cons of using boots (like professional's choice sports medicine boots)? It
has been suggested to me, and I was curious if there were any downfalls to
using them.
Thanks,
Kristina Frolander
Anne Wiegle
Kristina Frolander <frol...@svc.ctc.edu> wrote in article <Could someone
tell me the pros and cons of using boots (like professional's choice sports
medicine boots)?
Boots should be used when a horse is expected to make an extra effort, such
as schooling over cross-country fences. If a horse does a drop fence, and
is not used to it, he can chicken out and pull his front legs back from the
drop and bruise his tendons. Also making an extreme effort, he can
overreach and grab, not his heels, but his tendon above the pastern with
his hind feet as he sets himself up to take off. There are some pretty
tough tendon protectors to guard against this, but they are a pain to use.
Also, if a horse drags his legs over a fence, hind boots can keep the skin
on his shins. Eventers grease their horses legs so they can slide easily
over a fence, rather than being hung up.
Some horses knock down rails if they know it won't hurt them. We had an
event horse that did this. So we started schooling him barelegged and he
never knocked down a rail again. We used the boots only in the competition.
For the same reason, open front boots are popular for jumpers so they can
feel the rails.
You can use splint boots for lungeing (if you pull the horse sideways with
the lunge line, it can make him hit the inside of his front leg with the
opposite one. So I would use splint boots to lunge a young untrained horse,
but don't normally use them on older well trained horses (unless I will be
asking them to do something new, or make an extreme effort.)
For lateral work, if a horse is not going forward enough, he may hit
himself with the opposite leg. Therefore, I usually wrap (polo wraps) the
legs of a horse I will be teaching lateral work to, but I don't ususally do
it with a horse that is confirmed in those movements. Polo wraps only
protect against brushes, not knocks, and should never be used where they
will get wet.
Boots should not be used for horses that will be ridden a long time- they
can chafe or load up with dirt. Mud or dirt gets under them and that can
cause more trouble than a grab. (The Hampa type boot- a plastic honeycomb
can hold a lot of sand and dirt without chafing, but I wouldn't foxhunt in
them.) Also, burrs under a boot can cause a horse to go crazy. So they are
usually used for a competition where there will not be deep mud of
underbrush, and will not be left on for very long. Don't use them for
trailriding, foxhunting, etc. What do endurance riders do?
The exception would be on a horse that toes out and tends to interfere- it
is worth the risk of trouble with dirt to protect the horse that constantly
interferes. Better not to buy him in the first place.
Brushing boots for horses that travel close behind can cause more trouble
than they are worth. A miss is as good as a mile. Sometimes adding boots
makes the horse brush every step, whereas if he was barelegged, he would
miss by a half inch.
Some people say that if you use very supportive boots (like the sports
medicine boots) then the horse HAS to wear them all the time. I don't know
whether this is true. However, if the horse needs his legs supported from
the outside, IMO he is not sound enough to ride. Boots are for temporary
protection. Don't use them unless you have to.
Hope this answers your question.
Anne Wiegle
Springhill Farm
Pottstown PA
www.springhillfarm.com
jot...@xmission.com
In article <01bc67bf$167aeae0$9595f5ce@awiegle>,
re Anne's comments on using boots: As a trainer and a tack shop owner I
am experienced in using and selling boots. Anne is "right-on". Her
comments should be well taken by all who read them. Would add that for
some horses who move VERY close behind, a doughnut can be useful. It is
lightweight and can truly protect the horse that cannot take a step
without stepping on himself. (Unfortunatly some horses who are poorly
conformed can be useful.) Thanks Anne for your thoughtful insight. You
are a good horseman!
-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
mp
HERE HERE!!!! I commend both Anne & jotond for their comments & would
add only one more comment.
Years ago I was given a mare that reportedly was too weak to ride &
could not carry a foal.. (why I ever accepted her, I'll never know!! Just
a glutton for punishment, I guess) She arrived by commercial carrier, so
bundled up one wasn't sure there was a horse in there.
She was fully blanketed, (65 degree day) had shipping boots on all 4
legs, a shipping bonnet (good idea) & some very fancy sport type support
boots for her hind legs, all black nylon & velcro.... also horse-shoes
with 4-5" trailers on them. Poor mare.. We set about unwrapping this
china doll.. Off came the blanket & hood (extra heavy for blizzards) then
the shipping boots (matching the blanket naturally & 2" thick w/fleece.
Since I pasture my mares, the shoes came off, the support stuff did too.
Once unwrapped, she looked okay, WAY TOO FAT but decently built. Her rear
legs had been ruined in deep sand by an owner that didn't know about
legging a horse up before going on a 6 hour ride. That poor loving owner
had then been the victim of every idiot with an idea or invention.
Once freed of her "help" the mare improved drastically, to the point of
producing several exceptional foals & is still with me. We keep her on the
lean side when not preg. & allow her own legs to support her... I tend to
doubt that any artifical aid is even a fraction as good as the one Mother
Nature gave them.
--
The one who smiles, when things go wrong....
has thot of someone to blame it on!
jon...@norwich.edu
In article <01bc67b7$980a01c0$882e...@domain.ctc.edu>,
The answers to your question will be as varied and numerous as the number
of respondents. You did not mention in your original post who
recommended the boots and why. Many people overuse and misuse equipment
like boots and wraps. Did a vet recommend SMB's for therapeutic reasons,
did your instructor recommend them for prevention/support due to the
added stress of an athletic discipline, did a friend recommend them
because she uses them on her horse, or did someone recommend them because
they are the latest fad? SMB's (Professional's Choice Sport's Medicine
Boots) can be useful in a variety of circumstances. They are often used
therapeutically when a horse has suffered certain tendon or joint
injuries; generally a vet would make a recommendation. My vet suggested
that they might be useful for my 17 year old English Thoroughbred who had
degenerative joint problems in his fetlocks and minor problems in his
right hind suspensory ligament due to having been a prelim. level event
horse earlier in his life. My horse and several others that I knew about
did well with these boots. SMB's can also help to reduce the damage to
joints/tendons/ligaments from strenuous athletic disciplines. Even when
correct gymnastic training is used horses become more susceptible over
the long term to injury and arthritis from the demands on their legs from
bearing a rider while jumping large fences, performing collected
movements, or cutting cattle for instance. The shock absorbing qualities
of SMB's can help extend the performance period of a horse's life. Horses
with weak foot and leg conformation may also benefit from the supportive
and shock absorbing qualities of SMB's. Overall I have seen generally
positive results from the use of these boots even on sound horses ridden
moderately, but I have seen a few problems associated with people leaving
the boots on for too long or not cleaning them properly. This said, SMB's
are not necessary or beneficial for all horses in all situations. I
would consult with your vet and your instructor about whether or not
these particular boots are suitable for your horse. All boots and wraps
can be useful for certain horses in certain situations. Sometimes
protection from "brushing" is needed, or support, or shock absorption, or
protection from trail obstacles, etc. Only use the appropriate equipment
under the appropriate circumstances or injury may result. Tendon boots,
bell boots, jumping boots, shipping boots, sports boots, polo wraps, etc.
all can be useful tools, but they can also be unnecessary or even harmful
when used incorrectly or inappropriately. As a veterinary technician I
have seen both the benefits and the drawbacks of using and not-using
protective boots. Carefully evaluate your horse's needs and make a
decision in consultation with your vet and instructor. --Dawn
EleventhMI
Perhaps I will get crucified for going against the grain here, but I
believe in protecting at least the front legs of a horse that is doing
anything beyond simple flat work (unless you're jumping and you want them
to feel a rail if they hit it). I personally prefer polo wraps because
dirt does not get up under them like so many of the boots. I've tried
Sports Medicine but found them too rigid and they allowed dirt up under
them (yes, they were applied properly, according to the manufacturer's
instructions). I do, however, like their bell boots and overreach boots.
I believe in the old line: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure." Vet bills aren't my favorite way to spend money nor is down time
while waiting for a tendon, etc. to heal.
S.
Terry von Gease
Kristina Frolander (frol...@svc.ctc.edu) wrote:
>Well, I hope the subject makes sense. Could someone tell me the pros and
>cons of using boots (like professional's choice sports medicine boots)? It
>has been suggested to me, and I was curious if there were any downfalls to
>using them.
Note that the text presented here is fully annotated in order to assuage
the ever so delicate sensibilities of the Sweet Cream Ladies and the odd buck
morman that have chosen to sail these waters and demand by their very
presence that the rest of the world conform to their particular
prejudices.
pro:
They make YOU feel better.
The finacial condition of the manufacturer is improved
They provide some protection against minor external violences.
You'll have an opportunity to achieve your Warhollian 15 minutes
when you submit an unsolicited testimonial to be included in
the manufacturer's bullshit [that's bullsh*t spelled with an 'i'
instead of a splat] file.
con:
They're hideously expensive.
They're usually a pain in the ass [that's a** spelled with two ess's]
to install.
They lull you into a false sense of security wherein you think
that you're providing some sort of support and you most certainly
are not.
Learn how to apply polo wraps. They're a damn [I'm between gods at the
moment, if I weren't then I'd have said something on the order of Jesus
H. Tapdancing Christ and His All Girl Band] site cheaper, provided
every bit as much support and protection and, once you learn how, are a
whole hell [that's h*ll with an 'e'] of a lot easier to put on.
--
Terry You'll get further with a smile and a gun
than just a smile.
madeline
In article <8646639...@dejanews.com>, jon...@norwich.edu says...
>
>
>The answers to your question will be as varied and numerous as the number
>of respondents. You did not mention in your original post who
>recommended the boots and why.
IMO, this is a critical point. Unless boots are medically necessary, the
the person who owns the tack shop benefits the most from boot use. An unbooted
leg never gets a rub from a strap, never needs to overcome a twisted boot,
never gets the boot caught on something. There is probably sound reasoning
why professional haulers prefer to ship horses bare legged.
Besides, with the money you save on SMB's, splint boots, bell boots,
shipping boots, polos, standing wraps, etc.etc. you could probably
have a few more lessons or go to another show or clinic or event.
madeline
Junera
In article <5mcpsv$5...@drn.zippo.com>, madeline writes:
>IMO, this is a critical point. Unless boots are medically necessary, the
>the person who owns the tack shop benefits the most from boot use. An
>unbooted
>leg never gets a rub from a strap, never needs to overcome a twisted
boot,
>never gets the boot caught on something. There is probably sound
reasoning
>why professional haulers prefer to ship horses bare legged.
>
>
These are my thoughts, also. However, when foxhunting, I do put boots on
my horses legs to protect them from those stinging palm-frond cuts. Nasty
little cuts that heal quickly, but preventing them is so easy, why not?
:) June
Nancy DeMarco
madeline wrote:
> Unless boots are medically necessary, the
> the person who owns the tack shop benefits the most from boot use.
A few months ago I would have agreed. But Willy's injury has caused me
to rethink my position. *If* he had been booted, he might just be a
sound horse today. Instead I'm several thousand dollars poorer, and
there's no guarantee he'll recover.
He was injured in an area where I had raked the rocks and spread about 4
to six inches of compost over frozen ground. With the spring thaw, a
nice sharp rock worked its way to the surface. The whole property is
new construction and recently cleared forest. I'm sure there are
thousands of similar rocks crouching just below the surface awaiting
Willy's return.
I have a nice pair of SMBs sitting in the barn, and they do protect the
site of the injury very well. Perhaps when he returns to turnout he'll
be wearing them on all four legs. He might even get knee boots and hock
boots and bell boots... Do they make helmets for horsies? How 'bout
padded blankets? :)
Nancy
Topsfield, MA USA
na...@guesswork.com
tobler
Perhaps when he returns to turnout he'll
> be wearing them on all four legs. He might even get knee boots and hock
> boots and bell boots... Do they make helmets for horsies? How 'bout
> padded blankets? :)
>
> Nancy
> Topsfield, MA USA
> na...@guesswork.com
I'd go for *bullet-proof* blankets and hoods around here during hunting
season. And neon orange!
Wendy in MI
Kristina Frolander
I can see I didn't ask my question very well. I am getting a 20 year old
mare (morgan and quarter horse) and I would like to jump her and take her
on trail rides and she will be used for riding lessons. I received an
email from someone who started a mare jumping at 20 and she recommended the
Sports Medicine Boots. I was curious as to other people's opinion of them,
or any sort of leg protection. I'd like Cocoa to be comfortable. She
won't be doing any showing or anything like that, I was mostly interested
because she is older. Thank you to those who've replied for your time.
---Kristina
Ruth & Patrick
IMO boots or wraps of any kind are not going to protect
from any serious task related injuries. Proper riding/training/
conditioning and (most importantly) the rider's gray matter can
do that... Wraps might help prevent some scratches & boo-boos.
If boots/wraps make YOU feel better, go for it. I just wouldn't
put too much faith in them. I use wraps for XC & foxhunting just
to protect from lower leg scratches which would cause my Tb mare to
puff up like a pastry for weeks after. :-o
FWIW I know folks who'd play hours of cut throat polocrosse
on 20+ year olds but would NEVER consider jumping those same
aged equines.
Ruth CM
Jump to hunt, don't hunt to jump
Junera
In article <5mihcv$mer$1...@news.ispn.net>, Ruth & Patrick
<r...@ny.frontiercomm.net> writes:
>Jump to hunt, don't hunt to jump
wish more people did this!!!
:) June
Adrienne Regard
I don't understand the comment. The only reason I can see for going out
on horseback to follow a pack of hounds about is to jump.
However, since I'm not a member of a hunt, (there's only one in my area,
and it's still quite far away), the point is academic for me at this time.
Yet, if I were to join a hunt one day, I'd sure like to understand the
distinction you two are making here. Can you explain?
--
Adrienne Regard
Standard Disclaimer. I'm not speaking for anybody but me. And I probably
snipped the original text...
C.M.Newell
On 30 May 1997 10:55:24 -0700, reg...@hpsdde.sdd.hp.com (Adrienne
Regard) wrote:
>In article <19970530173...@ladder02.news.aol.com> jun...@aol.com (Junera) writes:
>>In article <5mihcv$mer$1...@news.ispn.net>, Ruth & Patrick
>><r...@ny.frontiercomm.net> writes:
>
>>>Jump to hunt, don't hunt to jump
>
>>wish more people did this!!!
>
>I don't understand the comment. The only reason I can see for going out
>on horseback to follow a pack of hounds about is to jump.
>
>However, since I'm not a member of a hunt, (there's only one in my area,
>and it's still quite far away), the point is academic for me at this time.
>Yet, if I were to join a hunt one day, I'd sure like to understand the
>distinction you two are making here. Can you explain?
>
The true purpose of hunting, according to the purists, is to
obseve the hounds at work. Unnecessary jumping (referred to as
"larking" over fences) is frowned upon by the traditionalists. Jumping
in order to keep up with the hounds during a run is entirely
acceptable.
--CMNewell
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"We will slime our horns
with the balm of Gilead,
clink skulls and drink,
deeply, one another's health."
-R.Hunter