Boots-vs-polo wraps?

[michal]

I bought last year Professional Choice Sport boots for my horse. They were about $100. Later that year - My horse got mud fever & I believe it was from the sand getting up under the boots while riding & irratating it. So then I heard that the polo wraps never do that & you should not cover the fetlock anyway! So I went to Polo wraps...but I really dont feel that I can possibly know what I am doing. Lately he has been getting little cuts about the coronet area...so do I start using bell boots & Polo? My horse has beginning arthritis & I want to do the right thing. What about splint boots? Any advice?

[summer]

Hi there
your horse shouldn't be getting mud fever from boots, as long as his legs are clean and dry before you put the boots on, and you keep the boots clean and dry too. You shouldn't really use polo bandages unless you feel confident about what you are doing. Bell boots are fine, possibly you might try them with ordinary brushing boots, which don't go over the fetlock area? More important though, is to have a talk with your instructor to find ways of improving your horse's way of going so you minimise the problem in the first place!

[Sarah]

hello!

Which side of the coronet band is your horse getting cuts on? If it is the inside, a sausage boot can help - it is a strap that goes round the ankle which is covered with rubber - it sort of looks like a doughnut!

If his cuts are on the back of his front legs coronet band, on the heel, over reach boots (or bell boots) would help.

If your horse has only just started to get the cuts on his legs, think about anything you have changed in the way you are asking him to go, have you recently upped the amount of riding you do, has he recently lost a lot of weight so his saddle is slipping and he is moving awkwardly to try to stop it? Is his arthritis maybe getting a bit worse? As Summer said, it would be worth getting some lessons, just to see.

bye!

[michal]

He had the last two months off & now I am riding him 1 to 2 times a week. He is a little heavier then before. I see he hit the back of his left front hoof and kind of split it. My Farrier says he doesnt think it is all the time and looks like it is healing. His cuts were on the inside of his back legs near the coronet- I think this happened while out in his paddock...not while riding. What brand of boot do you use? And Bell boot? Have you heard of the latest POLO wrap boots? any good things about them? I saw a horse with them on but have never seen them in catalogs...etc. Thanks for your conversation. I really enjoy it. (Michelle) Michal

[Horselover2]

Hi Michal...I don't know about the "new" polo wraps, but as one of the other posters said, you need to be careful with them. If they come undone while you are riding (which occurs frequently), you could have a disaster on your hands! Also, it's very easy to get them too tight, causing more harm than support!

I don't know what sausage boots are, but regular style sports medicine boots shouldn't cause fungus!

[michal]

What brands do you use? ANd do you use them on the back legs too? By the way horselover too...a belated response to your Guest book inquiry...I am 36 and bought my first horse last year. I was in 4H Club for kids with out horses when I was a kid.

[Sarah]

hello again.

it sounds like your horse is a bit unfit after his 2 months off so is not working at his best (and hence injuring himself). Would it be possible for you to start a proper fittening program for him and to get some regular lessons with your instructor? If you are only riding his a couple of time a week you aren't really going to be improving his fitness, just keeping him where he is which will be a lot less fit than before his break.

If you do a couple of weeks of work in walk - either hacking out or in the school then introduce some trot for a fortnihgt, perhaps with trotting up hills in the fourth week of your schedule then introduce canter work. If you can ride him for 30 mins a day or every second day if time is short, this should help with his fitness. Working ahorse can also help with arthritis, but only if done steadily, if in doubt ask your vet and/or instructor.

Good luck

bye!

[Horselover2]

Hi Michal,

I have the Professional Choice also. I only use them on the front, but know others that use them on the hind as well.

[olympicprincess]

These are some great posts. I can only add that your horse shouldn't become dependent on wraps. Once your horse is fairly fit, start going without wraps. Otherwise, the muscles will never reach their potential fitness.

[michal]

Really? I have not heard of that ..I have only heard of not using anything only when showing...So you do not use anything on your horses legs at all? When do you determine that it is time to not use anything? It kind of makes sense...

[Horselover2]

I agree with Oympicprincess, if you can do without them, that's probably better. I only use them when jumping (for support) or when hacking out (more for protection against briars and such). However, if your horse is arthritic (which mine is too, although not badly) you MAY want to use them all the time.

[Michelle]

Hi Michal.

My horse wears Prof Choice SMBII's front and hind, she has also just got a new pair of quick wrap bell boots. No-body I know has ever had a problem with these boots and I definatly haven't. Stick with them but keep them clean aswell as the horses legs.

Good Luck :D

Michelle

[beckys]

Michal,
If your horse is beginning to arthritis, he really needs to wear full leg boots. The professional choice boots are what I would recommend. If he is getting arthritis, you should really get him back into shape. I used to exercise a horse that had arthritis and the best way that we found for his inflammation and pain to go down, was to keep his weight at a manageable rate. The heavier they get the more pressure they put on their joints. I myself use different boots for different riding. When jumping I where front closure jump boots, but I have the tendencies to always ware polo wraps on the hind legs. It just gives a little extra support. Unless your horse is getting arthritis in the back legs not heavy duty boots are needed. For all other training I use galloping boots for long runs on the trails and full leg boots for all other indoor training purposes. If you train outside or your horse has a tendency to nick his front feet, I use a plastic bell boots, especially if your horse was initially trained western. They have a tendency to over reach. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Good Luck,
Becky

[michal]

Ok, I pulled back out my pro choice boots...and they really do make me feel better. I think I will get a second set to alternate cleaning...
I just ordered some pro choice bell boots for the front...I thought I would try them out. Thanks for the friendly support.