Protective Leg Boots for Horses

You may see a horse on a televised competition wearing leg protection and wonder precisely what it is for or if your own horse needs this type of protection. Although they are called boots they dont serve the same purpose as hoof boots. Leg boots help protect the delicate structures of the leg from bumps against obstacles or the horses own hooves. They also help support the tendons and ligaments in the legs as performance horses can be prone to straining these tissues. Horses have no padding from muscle tissue in the lower leg so boots can help prevent potentially debilitating injuries.

Unless there is a preexisting condition that needs protection most backyard pleasure horses do not need any leg protection. However some horses no matter how light their workload is are prone to overreaching forging or interfering and injuring themselves. Often poor conformation causes them to hit themselves especially after they get tired like how a person might trip over their own feet when fatigued. Young horses that are being started may hit themselves because they are unbalanced. And of course performance horses hunters jumping endurance horses barrel race reiners and many others may benefit from the support and protection of a leg boot.
Depending on what your horses specific problem is or what sport youre competing in there are many boots to choose from. Manufacturers dont always use the same name to describe all boots. Some boots combine functions such as a boot that is both a sports medicine boot and skid boot.
Its vital that leg protection fits well is kept clean and frequently checked in case the boots are chaffing. Builtup sweat grit and dust can make boots uncomfortable so cleaning them regularly is essential. Here are the most commonly used leg protection or leg boots.
Bell Boots
These boots encircle

the pastern and the bell shape covers the entire hoof. They can be made of rubber heavy synthetic material or leather lined with fleece. Bell boots are worn in the stall or paddock or while ridden. In either case they prevent the horse from hitting itself especially where the terrain may be rough or muddy and where a horse is negotiating obstacles like jumps provide some protection from hitting a hard surface. Bell boots can be worn on the front or back.
Fetlock Ring
A simple rubber donut called a fetlock ring can be used for turnout or riding to prevent the horse from injuring its hind fetlocks. This ring stretches over the hoof and sits on the lower fetlock although you may need strong hands to do this.
Leg Wraps
Before there were all kinds of specialized leg boots leg wraps were used. Polo wraps are the most common type used for riding and standing bandages are used in the stable.
Brush Brushing Splint Boots
Brush boots or splint boots are usually worn on the front legs and help prevent the horse from hitting itself during hard work. Brush boots can be used on the hind legs as well. Theyre commonly used during lunging especially when canter work is being done but also for jumping reining and other fastmoving sports where a horse may hit its leg with a hoof. These boots sit at or above the pastern joint and protect the lower bones and soft tissue of the lower leg. These boots are not really for support but for protection rather like shin pads used in many human sports. The thicker padding on the boot protects the delicate splint bone along the inside of the cannon bone. Brush or splint boots can be made of synthetic materials or leather. When putting on any boot