Should i use brushing boots?

[jennyec]

I am a lightweight 21 year old with a 13.2hh new forest, have recently moved to a new yard, and have brought my mare back into work after 2 years out due to personal circumstances.

Im having lessons in the school to bring her on and shes going fine, however i hacked out with someone the other day, and they said i should have brushing boots on her as she tends to catch herself, although she has never injured herself, she tends to be very excitable and doesnt think where shes putting her feet!

Would brushing boots be a good idea? or is this unnessecary? There is a tendency at my yard to over rug/boot/tack horses, in a nice way but they do seem to have everything for their horses!

Jenny

[samsaria]

Well, is she striking herself? If she's shod and kicking herself then she needs them, if she doesnt, she doesn't:D

You could borrow a clean pair, see if they come up with scuff marks, then you'd know :D

[heartofrainbow]

If she catches herself and you feel that the problem is getting worse then i would consider it!

But at the end of the day its up to you!

I never used to boot any horse, however when I had one horse on trial the first time I rode her out she had a massive spook fit and slice her legs up on a hidden stone wall! So from then on when I hack her out she has boots on as she has a tendency to be an idiot sometimes, and i'd rather protect her legs than injure her again!

[fatponee]

I don't think brushing boots would be 'over booting' your horse - just a general precaution. Maybe a good idea :rolleyes:

[jennyec]

I tell you what ive just realised! Shes recently been shod on her front feet, having never been shod before due to a horrific trim she got (long story), i wonder if this has something to do with it.

Shes never hurt herself but theres a first time for everything, and the lady i hacked out was obviously concerned enough to comment on it.

Can anyone suggest a good brand, would rather buy quality that will last a while.

Jenny

[Devilboy]

I always use brushing boots just to be safe. I would suggest that you use them as you can never be too safe.

[lachlanandmarcu]

If you do want to use them, woof ones are a good bet.

[helenhorse]

Only resort to brushing boots if her feather on her fetlock is messed or disturbed or she is actually knocking her self.

[ongo247]

i use brushing boots almost always when riding now as a precaution, my horse doesn't brush badly and I only intermittently used them for faster work or uneven ground until one day riding out in the woods, he had a huge spook resulting in him tearing off the lower half of the strike pad on a hind brushing boot. that would have been a horrific injury, huge vets bill and months off riding, if it wasn't for a £15 set of boots.