Protective Leg Boots for Horses

the straps must be done up so the tail ends point backward. This makes it less likely that the strap will get caught on twigs or other obstacles.
Shin Boots
Shin boots are most commonly used by jumpers to prevent injury to the front of the leg when hitting a jump rail.
Ankle and Fetlock Boots
Fetlock boots are for protection when a horse hits itself. They cover the pastern joint and fetlock areas of the lower legs. They are not meant to provide support. They are usually made of leather or synthetic materials and lined with sheepskin or other soft material.
Open Front Boots
Many of the boots come in open front styles this is because sometimes the rider may want a horse to feel when it is hitting a jump. Some horses become complacent and scrub over the rails of jumps. The open front boot may encourage the horse to be a little more honest about tucking up its knees and clearing the obstacle while still providing some protection. They also allow more airflow around the lower leg.

Knee Boots
Its a bit tricky to keep boots or bandages around a horses knees but sometimes knee protection is needed. Barrel racers and reiners are sometimes seen with knee boots. These boots arent really supportive but provide extra padding to horses if they may bump their knees against something such as hitting a barrel in a barrel race.

Skid Boots
Skid boots protect the hind fetlocks and pasterns providing support along with protection from contact with the riding surface during fast stops and turns. Youll see these boots most commonly on reiners who do sliding stops and cutting horses. Although English riders such as jumpers might find they need them. They will be made of leather and fleece or synthetic material that provides cushioning. Closures are most often buckles or
hook and loop fastener.
Sports Medicine Boots
Sports boots provide both protection and support. They cover the lower leg front or back from the pastern to below the knee. They are not as padded as splint boots but provide more support to the tendons and ligaments. Youll most often see them on endurance horses jumpers and other horses that must negotiate tough terrain. They can be made from synthetic materials or leather. Some materials are designed to retain heat which is felt to increase blood flow to the leg. Others are made to be cool.