Team Penning/Sorting -- Boots?

I'm starting team penning/sorting and I want to know if my horse needs boots?

I'm not sure what equipment riders use on their horses for team penning and sorting, but I do know that SMB's are very popular in the western world. I have seen Reiners using them, and Barrel Racers and those involved in Gymkanna.

Thanks I've been reading some other things on this website about boots and it sounds like they're possibly helpful for support and definitely for scrapes and stuff. Since in penning and sorting I'm going to be running around a lot of cows they sound like a good idea...

Since you will likely be doing some quick movements side to side like a cutting horse, I would at least invest in some splint boots. That will help prevent fractures to the splint bone (not really serious but ugly when they heal). IMHO, when it comes to boots for something that could be considered stressful on a horse's legs, overkill on protection isn't always a bad thing. I would go ahead and get a pair of SMB's for the front and back and a pair of bell boots for the front. That wouldn't be too much and that added protection may also prevent a bowed tendon or pulled shoe from overreaching during an extended lope or a run.

Okay, thanks! :) Do I get splint boots or SMBs? What's the difference?

When I team penned I just slaped on some SMBs and bell boots on the front. If I wanted anything for the back, my horse hated the SMBs on his hind legs but polos were fine for him so I wrapped those on whenever I felt like he needed them.

I have done penning and barrel racing and gymkhana. It doesn't really matter what event you are doing it depends on your horse. If your horse has weak cannon bones or clicks when they walk put some boots and bell boots on them. If they need it use them. If you were asking more along the lines if there was a certain dress/tack requirement than not for boots anyway. Just make your horse comfortable no matter what you are doing with them.

How would I know if she had weak canon bones?

Do her lower legs look abnormally small for her body size? If not then it is unlikely her cannon's are weak (unless she has some medical bone density thing). Splint boots mainly protect against crossfiring from the other front hoof and are mostly just a preventative against concussion caused from the other hoof. SMB's protect the whole leg from getting hit and also provide some support for the tendons and ligaments helping to prevent a bowed tendon.

Thanks smrobs :)
Btw I love the horse on your avatar, is it Dobe?