boots for my baby

[bevmcclung]

just wanted to know what people thought about knee boots to use out hacking. Next week I am getting a horse vetted. This will be my first horse and i have been reading up about boots (as well as feeding, worms, shoeing etc...etc!!!! so much stuff to learn!) I have knee boots but i have never seen anyone using them ever, are they a good idea, or are they very old fashioned? Also what sort of times do you use tendon boots.
p.s. hope everyone was able to hack out in the sun today!!!:cool:

[bspa05]

Hi there,

I believe knee boots are very impotmant when out hacking. A few years a go, I has the misfortune to experience the damage that can be done when a horse falls on its knees on the road. A simple pair of knee boots would have prevented any injury. I always ride our with knee boots every time I hack out. It can be annoying having to take them off every time I canter (as they can slip down), but I would rather do this than have my horses knees scared.

I also live next door to a vet who owns two horses. She always rides her two out in knee boots. She says that she has lost count of the number of times she has seen injuries to horses that could have been prevented or vastly reduced if they were wearing knee boots.

I do not believe that knee boots are 'old fashioned'. Even if your horse has never stumbled or however sure footed you think he is, you never know when he could slip up on the road.

[liz--y]

knee boots are great for hacking you never know if you horse will slip, although i know a couple that have gone through knee boots when falling and skidding, emagine what the knees would be like if they didnt have them on. make sure you have the top strap tight so they dont slip down

[bevmcclung]

Yes i think you are right about knee boots, i may even start a fashion trend round these parts....but you mentioned taking them off for cantering. Why take them off for this pace and is that definite???
Thanks for replying by the way, sometimes the textbooks dont seem to state the obvious!!!

[bspa05]

I take them off for canter, as my horse has quite a high action, so therfore as she bends her knee it pulls the top of the boot down over her knee and the boots fall down. I think it all depends on the horse and his particular action.

[Sarah B]

You are so right about there being so much to learn. I have had my first horse for just over a year and am still trying to work out what boots he should be wearing and when! Does any one know of a simple guide to boots? When should he wear schooling wraps for instance and what are the differences between brushing boots, tendon boots and schooling wraps or bandages - and are velcro travel boots better than bandages? Sometimes I feel like a complete biff - asking so many questions! :p