|
|
Discussion on Booted or Bare legged?
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 12:47 pm:
Hello All,
It has been about one year since my daughter and I purchased our now 14year old TB. Your site has been a very helpful forum to navigate and learn from the different sites and situations that can occur with horse ownership. I am hoping this forum can help clarify a confusing situation of which we are trying to educate ourselves.
When we started Justin on a program of training, conditioning and regular riding, I purchased a pair of SMB boots to give his front legs support and protection. A year later, I have had several people at our barn suggest that I not use the SMB boots anymore because heat buildup can cause more harm to tendons, ligaments ec. which would be counter productive to the support.
My daughter (13) rides and trains dressage (first level) as well as general hacking around a conditioning trail that covers about a third of a mile around the perimeter of the property. I do trail riding on him with a moms riding group in the hills around the East Bay. I also am training him in Trail Obstacle classes.. I have cautiously removed the boots for the dressage riding, but I still feel more comfortable with him wearing the boots as we traipes around the hills. I have always stopped after about an hour of riding to loosen and let his legs "air" (because of the heat concern), but with summer approaching I am concerned that an hour in the boots may be too long. How much heat is bad for a horses legs to endure? And for how long?
We ride almost everyday for about two hours on the average. The ground surface can alternate from loose ring dirt in the covered areana, to mulched conditioning trails, to hard asphalt going to and from the arenas as well as any variety of surface on the trails from firm to sloppy..
What are other boot/ leg protection alternatives that I could/should consider? There are so many choices and everybody seems to have their favorite.
If it is best to go bare legged, is hosing and linementing his legs after a workout a reasonable way to take care of his legs to prevent stiffness or lameness? He has been sound as a dollar (knock on wood) and I am coming from the mindset of "If it a'int broke, do'nt fix it."
Do older horses benefit from support to their legs to help them stay sound?? I was an Operating Room RN for 23years and I know support hose sure felt good as I got older!!
Thank you all for your time, consideration and knowlege. My daughter and I look forward to reading your responses and learning more about how to best care for our four legged buddy..
Sincerely,
Debra Dove
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 6:14 am:
We do not put boots on our horses for trail riding, I don't think there is very much benefit and it is possible they may get twisted and impede circulation.
DrO
|
Member:
Mrose
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 10:05 am:
The only time I'd boot a trail horse is when it had a tendency to over reach and was due to be trimmed/shod. Then I'd just use an over-reach boot on the fronts. I've found that on trails sand/dirt/small pebbles can work their way under the boots and cause problems. Unless the horse has problems, or you are doing cutting, reining, jumping etc. where the horse needs protection, I wouldn't use boots at all, even in the arena. I use protective boots when needed(like in the above persuits or when there's been an injury)and use leg wraps on young horses or any horse when doing strenuous arena work.
|
Member:
Ribbons
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 11:03 am:
For what is it worth, I was out trail riding last weekend with my "moms group." I usually don't bring boots for my horse, but in this instance my ever conscientious daughter came along and graciously packed my tack for me including a pair of cheap neoprene boots for my horse. I put them on and went on with the ride. The trails were fairly well maintained and only occasionally rocky. I never went faster than a trot. Well, wouldn't you know, when I was untacking about an hour later, I saw one of the hind boots had a about an inch and half rip in it and the horse's hair was ruffled up a bit right where the boot was cut. I have no idea what happened, but I must say I was glad I had the boots on this time!
|
Member:
Aewheele
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 11:26 am:
When I'm on wide, well maintained trails I don't necessarily put boots on my horse. But if I'm going to walk on uneven and/or woody terrain, I do. I think it protects the horse's lower legs from branches and other sharp objects that can cause injury. I don't usually worry about dirt getting under the boot because the area where I trail ride does not have very fine or sandy footing. There are however a lot of downed branches and sharp rocks. I think the boots provide pretty good protection from those.
|
Member:
Alden
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 11:49 am:
Another plus for wearing boots in areas like ours is there is old rusty barbed wire lying around that is very hard to see. Although we try to train the horses to stand still and not struggle when they get entangled, the boots did saved my 5 yro considerable damage to his lower legs one time.
If heat build-up were a problem, wouldn't you have the same problem in the saddle area?
Good day,
Alden
|
Member:
Christos
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 12:58 pm:
Hi, all,
I think there's a serious disadvantage with the use of soft boots, except temperature. I have seen several times what Teresa describes, i.e. neoprene boots torn to pieces, and I also felt pretty lucky to have used them that day.
Several pairs of boots later, I realised that those boots were torn by horses that never had a scratch when bare-legged. It occurs to me that the soft material of the boot is catching "things" that otherwise would have slipped off.
I now use boots only when working at speed, and I only use the ones with a hard/slippery outer shell.
|
Member:
Aannk
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 4:03 pm:
Debra,
I have heard from many trusted sources that boots do nothing except protect the legs from cuts. They do not help support the tendons and bones. It makes sense when you think how much weight the horse puts on those structures when you are riding them. How much good can a wrap do?
I never use wraps, and I do a lot of jumping. I find it kind of funny when people think that wrapping a horse in polo wraps will help when the footing isn't good. My old hunter trainer used to make us wrap when it was muddy. Just my two cents.
Alicia
|
Member:
Aewheele
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 4:36 pm:
A very reputable Saddlery displays this information about the SMBs. It is not the first time I've read similar claims. This information sounds verifiable. Has anyone heard otherwise?
"At the University of Wisconsin, the Energy Absorbing Sports Medicine Boots were subjected to clinical scrutiny, and even the veterinarian scientists were amazed to discover these boots absorbed nearly 25% of the energy from hoof concussion! The energy absorption, tendon support and overall leg protection provided by the Sports Medicine Boots have saved countless horses from career-ending injuries and prevented many more! Due to their energy absorbing qualities, the Sports Medicine Boots effectively reduce the stress to the entire leg - front or rear. The boots are especially beneficial in preventing stifle and hock problems for disciplines that demand a lot from the hind legs like dressage, cutting, barrel racing, reining and roping."
|
Member:
Aannk
|
Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 4:43 pm:
If it's true, I'm going to get some! I doubt it is, though 
Alicia
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Saturday, Apr 3, 2004 - 1:10 am:
Well, there are some very interesting thoughts to mull over..It sounds like if your horse does not have any gait problems like over reaching or doesn't have a history of injury, or you do not do "speed' events, then you might better be well off barelegged. However, if you DO incur an injury then there are a selection of boots or other leg protectors you can choose to help support the horse's leg(s). Am I following a reasonable thread of thought??
I am curious also to know more about the increased heat = increased injury theory.. Is it heat buildup or friction that causes the most problems? How is the heat generated under a boot more detrimental than the heat generated under standing wraps left on overnight or for long periods of time? (ie 4-6 hour trailer rides.)
I am on a roll, so bear with me.. What is the difference between a galloping boot and a splint boot? What is the benefit of sheepskin padded splint boots vs polo wrapped? I was out at the barn today and counted ten horses going around the arena, lunge pen, and conditioning trail.. Every single horse had some kind of leg wrap, boot or splint boot on and I am being told by my trainer and other riders that my horse doesn't need leg wraps. What I haven't done is asked the riders if their horses have had a leg/gait problem as the reason for the leg protection.
Well, I have had a thirty year gap since owning my last horse and I feel like my learning curve is WAY steep..But I am having fun learning and I certainly appreciate everyone's time and input to my questions.. I would love to hear a response from the SMB folks to the quote that Andrea sent.
Many Thanks, Debra
|
Member:
Christos
|
Posted on Saturday, Apr 3, 2004 - 3:19 am:
Debra,
Boots hold more heat than bandages because they are not breathable. Neoprene, especially, is a superb insulator and absolutely waterproof.
Sheepskin is an excellent padding for boots, numnahs and everything else that comes in contact with the horse's skin because it is breathable, does not crush when wet, it wicks sweat away and, because it conforms well, does not leave gaps for dirt to enter. I've found synthetic sheepskin to be just as good as the natural one, with the added advantage that it can be machine washed.
I can not figure out standard differences between galloping and splint boots, it seems that every manufacturer uses his own nomenclature. Generally, galloping boots are supposed to offer more protection.
|
Member:
Alden
|
Posted on Monday, Apr 5, 2004 - 11:01 am:
Debra,
Have you seen published information linking leg injuries with leg boots and heat buildup? I don’t see a connection and I would expect more injuries from a cold leg than a warm one. I use SMB boots on my young guys and I check legs after rides. While the leg is wet and warm I wouldn’t call the leg hot, even on all day 20+ mile rides.
A horse has a tremendous capacity to move heat with their cardiovascular system, which is why my guys are steaming on cold mornings. I would think that this would work just as well for removing heat as well as supplying it. While the boot does block the evaporative process for the area it covers there is still a lot of surface area available on the horse. As long as all systems are working properly I would expect to see some benefit in increased blood flow in the lower leg/foot. Of course this is speculation on my part and I’m not a specialist in horse physiology (is that even the right word? ).
Or I can get really scientific and say,” Dog gone it, I’ve never had an injury with a boot on and some without boots; so they must work.” But of course that is rubbish.
Great discussion though!
Good day,
Alden
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Monday, Apr 5, 2004 - 1:00 pm:
Alden,
Thankyou for your reply.
I honestly haven't seen an article published. This all started with an interesting discussion between several of the riders at our barn, one of whom who had read an article by a woman who had studied and published an article regarding heat/boot/leg injury. (I will get the name and post it)
Most of the other riders in our barn use the splint type boot or polo wraps. I am the only one that uses the SMB boot. I have a feeling that my inexperience made me a good target as an example of what the article was all about. My trainer had never said a word to me before about the SMB boots, but as a result of the conversation, she suggested that I not use the SMB boots on Justin.
I truely have not felt comfortable removing the boots from his legs.. Your last statement was most timely tho.. All this past year with the boots on we have never had a problem with going along either in the arena or the trail.. Yesterday my daughter was having a fun session with other riders riding to music during an introduction to freestyle riding and wouldn't you know..Justin took a bad stumble at the trot and fell down with her in the arena. They are both OK and my logical side says it was just a fluke misstep which could have happened just as well with the boots on, but my illogical "MOM" side says, as long as we are not hurting him or contributing to possible injury, then the boots are going back on!!
Alden, I am curious, when you do your long trail rides with the SMB boots, do you stop every so often to take off the boots and reapply or do you just put them on and ride....? Thankyou for your comments.. Everything you said made sense to me..
Smiles,
Debra
|
Member:
Alden
|
Posted on Tuesday, Apr 6, 2004 - 11:13 am:
Debra,
No, I normally don't take them off and I've haven't had problems with dirt or abrasions.
Good day,
Alden
|
|
|
