I have a pair of rear SMBs for sale if you're interested. They're size large. I have them listed on the tack for sale forum.

 

Polo wraps are not acceptable for jumping.

There are tons of used SMB's that are up for sale, most are $20.00 and in great condition. You can get great deals on www.tacktrader.com and even Ebay. I wouldn't spend more than $20.00 on used SMB's.

I just sold off a whole bunch of them, sets of 4 for $40.00's.

 

SMB's aren't my cup 'o tea. Mostly because they retain water and that's a big no-no on cross country.


I love my Woof boots. I have them for my horse's rear legs and just some simple all purpose brushing boots on the front. You can find both on www.doversaddlery.com (that's where I got mine) or just on Ebay.

 

I have woof boots for the front and I am not sold. I didn't think that polos were going to hack it for jumping either.

 

what kind of woofs? i have heard that some arent as good as others

 

They are the brushing ones with the double closure. I don't know I just find them really hard to put on right.

 

With jumping, are we ultimately looking for protection from hitting the fences, or shock absorbtion for the legs doing the jumping? I only ask because there are so many types of boots on the market, all make claims of shock absorbtion or protection from hitting the jumps, but they all can't be equally good. Do any of the boots actually cushion the tendons and ligaments and lesson the impact of jumping, or is it all marketing gumbo?

 

I've heard you and Rainbow Bright both now say that polo's are not suitable for jumping! Why is that? I casually disregarded RB's comment especially since she was trying to sell me some patented boot she manufactured, but now you too! Alright, in all seriousness, I've always used them to jump, and I can wrap one heck of a polo, seriously I can do them perfectly, but I ride where the fence's come down, just standards and poles, HJ, not eventing. Are you worried about impact over more solid fences? Or people who can't wrap trying to use them and do more damage then good? Is it about support? Well then what about track bandages? I'm assuming the polo was meant for polo, therefore insinuating flat work, but is that really limiting it completely? Explain please!

 

^To answer your question, polo's arn't used for jumping often becuase they can snag on a rail and if they get wet, they will stretch out and could potentally injure your horse by tripping them.

I would suggest Woof boots, I use the regular Club Brushing boot on both the front and back legs of both of my jumper/eventers and they go well in them and the protect them. They are on sale in Dover right now too!

PS- please excuse my horrid spelling!

 

I see now, but again, these problems aren't excluded too, but are more common in eventing. We don't use polos when it rains anyways, to messy, but now I know there are two benefits to not using them when it's wet, and I think I kinda knew they aren't a good thing to wear wet. As for snagging, our jumps don't have quite the snag ability, but I will keep it in mind. Thanks for letting me know.

 

no problemo

 

Can the woof all purpose be used on the front and back, or are they not universal like the SMBs? Or is that just a silly idea. I wish they came in four packs :p

 

They can be used on both front and back, I would get one size up for the back though. Blue's legs are tiny so she gets all around small but Geof has big WB legs so he is a Med up front and a large in the back.

 

Polo's are not acceptable for jumping because they offer no protection for the horses legs when they hit the fence.

 

Yeah I ended up convincing the tack store to take the SMBs back and I ended up getting another pair of woof to match the ones I currently have. I still am not crazy about them, but I like what they are made of and they are easier to put on than the SMBs which I found impossible.

 

With jumping, are we ultimately looking for protection from hitting the fences, or shock absorbtion for the legs doing the jumping? I only ask because there are so many types of boots on the market, all make claims of shock absorbtion or protection from hitting the jumps, but they all can't be equally good. Do any of the boots actually cushion the tendons and ligaments and lesson the impact of jumping, or is it all marketing gumbo?

You are right, there are TONS of boots out on the market today.

I've read many studdies though, that proove that jumping takes allot out of our horses joints. The landing, the horses hooves, ankles, canon bones, knee's, shoulders take allot of shock - so that is when they came out with the shock absorbtion, like SMB's.

If you look at allot of Eventing Boots - boots labled as Eventing boots, are lined iwth Neoprene, which is the key. Neoprene has been tested, and proven to absorb shock.

While competative horses legs are conditioned, through doing regular flat work and hacking - that doesn't mean that their legs don't break down little by little when they jump. It doesn't matter how well conditioned your horse is, they still break down when they jump. That is why many top level riders only jump once a week, or even in the warm up ring at the comp - because they must preserve those legs as long as they can.

We want to protect and prevent and preserve - those are the 3 key factors. We do that through proper conditioning, proper care, and proper leg wear.

Now the difference between the arena and out on CC is the footing. The arena, the horses have that fabulous soft dirt to land on, that softens the blow, while on the grass, our horses don't have that much of luxury - so the shock is going to be moreso there, than what we would get landing in the arena sand.

I've looked at quite a few boots - and for me, the key factor are boots that are neoprene lined. The neoprene is what aids in absorbing the shock. If you plan on wearing the boots longer than 2 hours, you want breathable neoprene.

It all depends on what you want.

My horse never wears his boots longer than a run in the stadium ring, or on the cc course. Right now, I use SMB's - they are phenominal boots. I use them out on the CC course and have never had issues with them. I've seen them used up to mid levels.

For me, they work fine, never had an issue.

I've had a close look at the Woof Eventing Boots - and they are pretty darn tootin' close to being SMB's.

I do like the looks of the Trizone Equilibrium CC Boots.

For Stadium Jumping, Brushing Boots/Splint Boots are just fine. Remember, these fences fall and the sand aids in allot of softening the landing for your horse.

Woof Splint Boots
Open Fronts
Regular Splints

You can get these with neoprene lining as well.

Just do your research.

 

So you are saying that the brushing boots that I bought today are good for arena jumping, but not so good for cc jumping?

 

They are fine. Again, every single rider on our team uses them on XC.

 

The choice is yours. I personally would go with something that has neoprene lining.

 

^speak for yourself, we have a grass stadium arena at home and at most of the competitions we go too.

And all Woof boots are made with neoprine, and every single eventer on my team, there isn't one that doesn't own and use woof boots on XC. Even the one that is running Pre-Limb and Intermediate.

 

Yeah, I put them on him today and it almost felt like he was lifting his hind legs up over the jumps better with them on, but he was moving all goofy for a bit with them on anyway it was rather cute.

Yeah I like what the woofs are made of, and I find them really easy to clean, I just hose them off and hang them up to dry.

 

They are fine. Again, every single rider on our team uses them on XC.

I would love to see pictures of this "eventing team"

 

^don't have any seeing that the season hasn't even started yet. And only 5 of us are ready to compeate.

And that's so cute! I love when they walk all funny after they get shoes on again, or have wraps just put on! I just sit there and laugh my butt off!

 

How hasn't the season started yet?

 

It's august...... The eventing season down here doesn't start until mid September.

 

Ah, makes sense. Many top level riders in Canada and the U.S migrate to warmer climates in the "winter" seasons to continue riding. So that must be your location.