splint boots, open front boots, or no boots?

Hello,

I am going to start jumping my horse soon (nothing serious) just something new for the both of us. I am just wondering whether I should put boots on him. I have a pair of splint boots already... but what do you think? Should I use splint boots, open fronts, or nothing? What do you use on your horses?

Thank you!

Well, it really depends on the horse. Boots don't really do anything unless your horse oversteps horribly, or otherwise hits himself with his other legs.
For flat schooling because my boy is quite excitable sometimes and he over steps on occasion I use splint/full boots on all 4 legs. When I school over fences I use open fronts so if he hits the jumps, he doesn't have a boot cushioning it and he really feels it and doesn't do it again. I will also school without boots sometimes.
It doesn't really matter because you're not doing anything serious (over 3'), but if it makes you feel better than chuck some open fronts on him :)

I don't jump except for fun sometimes but if it was me, I would put full support boots on him. I like the Legacy system or SMB because they provide bone and tendon protection. You might want to look into some kind of tendon boots. In my mind, it is always better to air on the side of caution than deal with and injury that could have been prevented. :) have fun.

This thread may be of help to you:
BOOTS!! Splint? Open Front?!! HELP!

Personally, I like open front boots.

I personally would use open front boots if you're going to be jumping but I also go without boots quite frequently since my horse doesn't overstep or anything.

Thanks for the advice everyone He doesn't have a problem overstepping, but to be on the "safe side" I think I am going to buy a pair of open fronts.

One more quick question for those of you with open fronts, do you recommended the ones with fleece or no fleece..?

Links:


Horse boots, Roma Neoprene Lined Open Front Boots

Roma Fleece Lined Open Front Boot For Horses

Thank you!!

It depends on what I am doing as to what I use. If I'm doing anything serious, I will either use full splint boots, or polo wrap my horses legs.
I am very cautious when it comes to my horses legs.

But if we are doing gymnastic exercises or anything under 2'6-3' I normally will use open front boots if they are either young, inexperienced, or over-step. This way it protects their heels but will allow them to feel the pole if they hit it, which hopefully will make them pick up their feet a little better next time.

Otherwise, I may not use boots or wraps. I don't want to 'over protect' their legs, but I want to make sure they don't injure themselves either.

Then again, it really depends on the size of your horse compared to the jump. If you are jumping a small pony over 2'6, those jumps are big to the pony, so I'd boot it.

Haha, it all depends.

Good luck!

Oh, & I prefer fleece boots :)

Thank you!, yeah I am really protective/cautious of my horses legs too, especially since my first horse broke his femur, and had to be down. (happened in the pasture somehow..)

One more question! Haha sorry
What about fetlock boots? Are they necessary?
Fetlock Boot, Roma Fleece Lined Fetlock Boot

I think it's one of those things where it's personal preference. I think it's hard to know when a horse might or might not need them. I've always put boots on even way back before I owned a horse and we took lessons. It doesn't take much time to put them on and you just never know when they might come in handy.

I would consider using open front boots as this gives support to your horses legs when jumping.

Jumping for horses is like us landing on our wrists. If we kept landing on our wrists with no support they would start to get sore!
Its just the same with your horse!

If later on you start to get higher in the jumps I would than consider fully wrapping your horses legs to protect them in case he knocks them.

Hope It Helps!