Boots for barrel racing?

[Keket]

I'll be going for high points next year at horse shows which means I have to barrel race or pole bend, but I'm leaning more towards barrels. I might do well in the 4-H division, but I won't win in the Open, but I have to place at least. Plan is to be in a controlled canter around the barrels and then try to make up some time on the straightaways. I've been assured that Coquette has "speed that would scare you".

I don't want to race her without boots. She won't be galloping or anything, but she's a young horse and occassionally trips. So what sort of boots would be the best?

[Shadowlark]

The most common would be Professionals Choice.. 90 some odd percent of people round here have them on thier horses.. for everything! I don't like them, I don't buy into what they say about them.. and I feel that used all the time a horse's leg tendons etc. won't strengthen proporly because they are dependant on the auxilliary support.. For what you are looking for they would probably be alright but expect to pay almost 100$ (they are on sale at Greenhawk..but it's the Oct. sale so nearly over)

Personally I prefer to just put on splint boots for schooling barrels/poles in case they bang a foot on that delicate little splint bone when they run the corners. Not as expensive and breath better. When we go to Rodeo's we do mack out in ROYAL blue polos, to match the seat of the saddle, spur straps etc.. But those are for asthetics mostly although they also help against a bone nicking. I don't use them often tho cause I find them a PITA to deal with.. rolling up washing etc... The only other boots I have are hind skid boots, but that's for reining and I learned Splash didn't even need them despite his lack of slide plates.

Sustainable dressage has an interesting write up about boots/wraps
http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/other_equipment.php#bandages

Everyone you ask will have a different opinion.. LOL for a lot of people that opinion is saddly either "everyone else is" or just cause your supposed to.. rather then looking at them more seriously.

Hope that helps!

[Shadowlark]

Just to add.. I have alwyas found it easier to place in poles.. esp if your horse leg yeilds.. if you can stay tight to the poles and leg yeild around them, just clearing them you will out do most people very easily.. and if your horse can roll back.. hehehe almost untouchable on the tourn around..

I teach dog agility also.. and after watching most pole benders realized how inefficient they are...if you can run efficiently..look out!!

[Keket]

Certainly won't be using them all the time and if she was a little older and more sure of her feet, I might not bother with them at all as that's the ONLY speed event I'll be doing. But she's only four, she'll be five when we start showing, and she's still prone to stumbles every now and then.

And no, she doesn't leg yield. At least, not yet. She can handle going sideways, but I can't seem to get sideways and forward at the same time... :rolleyes:

[Shadowlark]

Yeah just slap some Splint boots or a set of polo's on (long as you know how to) then - no point spending that kind of money on something you will only use briefly, they will do what you need nicely!

lol yeah that whole forward and sideways thing.. us crazy humans..

[Jessey]

Personally I like full support wraps for babies and competition, I have some weatherbeater ones which are OK and the Professionals Choice SMBII which are really good.

I don't use these boots all the time (normally I don't use boots), and do work on conditioning my horses legs to be strong (working on different surfaces etc) but find in competition esp with young horses when they get a little excited or tired they are more likely to trip/stumble/get their legs in a tangle ;) so wraps give excellant protection.

There are lots of these types of wraps out there now so you don't have to pay the big money for the SMBII's if you won't be using them that much.

If you do go for wraps, definatly be aware that IMO they really need to be removed regularly to let the leg thoroughly cool and also to be brushed out as they do tend to pick up sand/dirt if left on all day.

J x