turnout boots.

i used to use them i had a black sportabac pair (i think) and you can only wear them for 12 hours a day - and if its mud fever you are trying to prevent, i wouldnt bother - eventually the mud and water will seep through them - in the end i think they actually encouraged the mud fever.:(
 
I was advised not to bother. My ex racer used to bash the hell out of his legs in the field. I put a full set of brushing boots and front over-reach boots on when he was first turned out with the new herd, but since have left his legs bare. I didn't see the point in protecting him for 12 hours out of every 24 - it wouldn't halve the number of injuries he got! :p The damage that he inflicts on his own legs has since improved anyway now that he is barefoot.

As chickyd444 said, they are likely to encourage, rather than prevent mudfever, as they create a nice, warm and sometimes sweaty environment that the damp can seep into, and if you take them off for 12 hours a day, you then need to get your horse's legs clean and dry before you can put the boots back on.
Great if you stable over night and can dry the legs off on wet days, but not so great if you want to turn out 24/7.
 
I use the equilibrium Hardy chaps, they are neoprene and go over his hoof too. They have never come off, rubbed him or filled with mud, so happy with them. He is only out from dawn til dusk so not 24/7.:)
 
At risk of hijacking the thread, i am about to put my boisterous young TB back out in the herd after injury. He has been on box rest and then sick paddock turnout.
Last time we tried he came in with a kick and was off again so just want something until the herd has settled.
He does get mud fever but we are trying the whole pig oil/sulphur thing so don't to make things worse.
He wears overreach boots anyway to stop him ripping shoes off
So my options are
Brushing boots
Sportabac boots
Hardy chaps
The last 2 i would have to go out and buy but am happy to do so if they are better than brushing boots.
Opinions please
 
the hardy chaps are fab. Used to use them on my pony. They never let mud in and kept her legs clean and dry. She did only wear them for 12h a day though as was stabled overnight, i wouldn't want to keep them on 24/7. They stood up to severe hammer from her so i'd definately recomend them!

edited to add we used them for a veterinary purpose (cold legs = laminitis hence the chaps to keep legs cosy and warm).
 
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yep - that's all part of owning horses! they do like to plaster themselves in mud, especially after we've spent hours getting them spotless!
i'm all for boots and bandages etc, but for protection only. Personal oppinion only, but i wouldn't cover my lot up just to keep em clean!
 
CrisO said:
I looked up hardy chaps and it says not be left on for more than 4 hours. A days turnout would be nearer 8.
Click to expand...

does it? i looked into many turnout boots before i bought the hardy chaps and never came across that. Our mare wore hers for 8-ish hours a day to absolutely no ill effects.
 
From their website.
http://www.equilibriumproducts.com/handy.asp?page=2&Action=Detail&kbaseItemID=41

To be fair it says 3 - 4 hours in warm weather but longer in cooler weather as long as you check for heat build up.
The reality is that this time of year you can get a warm day and although there are people around keeping an eye, they are not going to constantly feel his legs for heat.
The close contact ones are designed to be worn longer but are intended for mud fever not knocks and bumps.
 
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