Advice on bell boots and leg wraps

[TWHlover22]

I need to buy supporters for my mare and my tack store in town only carriers one pair, that look like very cheap. I found some online and would like advice on your opinion of the choices or if you have any experience with them?

https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-boots/splint-boots/performers-1st-choice-combo-boots

https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-boots/splint-boots/tough-1-vented-sport-boot-front

https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-boots/splint-boots/abetta-super-support-boots

The first and second are the main ones I’m looking at, anybody know if those brands are reliable or have experience with either? Also the bell boots, what type of bell boots seem more durable and comfortable? I’m looking at mostly rubber type bell boots since that seems more durable then fabric based ones. Also if you have ones you think are amazing then by all means mention them.

[TheHunterKid90]

try classic equine. I really love their products.
The first link you posted is a combo boot, I’m not a huge fan of them, much prefer a leg boot and a bell boot separate.

[RPM]

Hi, OP, can you be a little more specific, please? What kind of riding are you doing for which your mare needs support?

You said leg wraps, but what you showed are boots. Do you want boots, or polo wraps, or some other kind of wraps?

Wouldn’t it make a difference if you wanted the boots or wraps for reining, or trail riding, or cross country galloping, or barrels, or whatever?

What is your trainer saying about what specific kind of support your mare needs doing what activity?

I one of the old school who believe that horses’ legs are made to be self-supporting, but there are boots and wraps that can help, especially brushing and overreaching, so if you will give us more info, we may be able to give more info back to help.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=TWHlover22;8508170]
I need to buy supporters for my mare [/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that sport boots (same as polo wraps) actually provide very LITTLE in terms of support. In studies that have been done, sport boots support slightly more than polo wraps (we’re talking single digit percentages) but still could physcially support the suspensory ligament as little 6%.

Certainly not as much as some companies claim that they do. Remember: They’re going to take the one number from a study that makes them look good.

With that said, I still use sport boots on all 4 legs of my horses. I find it to be cheap insurance against nicks, scrapes, and whatnot. Much easier to replace a boot than to replace horseflesh.

And yup, it is better to buy something a little better quality, because they will last longer and hold up better.

I personally use the sports boots for the purpose of barrel racing and reining. For most of my general trail riding, my horses don’t wear anything (except Red wears bell boots on the trail since he tends to over-reach).

[QUOTE=TWHlover22;8508170]

https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-boots/splint-boots/performers-1st-choice-combo-boots [/QUOTE]

I’ve never purchased the Performer’s 1st Choice brand so I can’t speak for the brand. I’m pretty picky about what I use for boots, and to me they do look a bit bulky in design. I also don’t like how little velcro they have on the main large strap that goes under the suspensory.

In general, I have had combo boots before and I personally don’t like combo boots because the bells boots will always wear out well before the sport boot will.

[QUOTE=TWHlover22;8508170]
https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-boots/splint-boots/tough-1-vented-sport-boot-front [/QUOTE]

I’ve also never tried the Tough 1 brand. I have other things of their products (like a few horse blankets and such) and they do seem to be a decent mid-quality brand. The design of the boot doesn’t look too bad.

Tough 1 claims to be “vented” but that just sounds like a bunch of BS to me. They’ve got regular neoprene on the outside of the boot. That’s not going to be “vented”.

[QUOTE=TWHlover22;8508170]
https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-boots/splint-boots/abetta-super-support-boots [/QUOTE]

I don’t like these at all. First of all, you’d expect a sport boot company to actually have a stock picture where their boots where applied to the leg correctly. :no: The way they horizontally applied the lowest strap on the right front is going to do you no good.

The boot on the left front looks “clumpy” if you look at the posterior line of the boot.

Personally, I also don’t like velcro that has squared ends.

Not a fan of this one at all.

@TWHlover22;8508170

Also the bell boots, what type of bell boots seem more durable and comfortable? I’m looking at mostly rubber type bell boots since that seems more durable then fabric based ones.

My favorite bell boots are the Classic Equine Dyno-Turn. The ballistic material holds up really well and you can get them in different colors (if you want). I find that they do really stay centered nicely on the leg and rarely turn. And they seem to fit well.
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/classic-equine-dyno-no-turn-overreach-boots/E000259/

I have tried Professionals Choice Ballistic overreach boots but I do not like the fit as well. The sizing almost runs small a little bit and they just don’t fit as nicely as the Classic Equine. IMO.
http://profchoice.com/i-7261555-ballistic-overreach-boots.html

For sport boots, my favorite is the Professionals Choice SMB 3 boots, which are getting harder and harder to fine. The old SMB 2 look similar to the Abetta version you posted above. They just are not as contoured and don’t fit as well. The new SMB VenTech Elite boots I feel are too flimsy and just don’t fit as well. So I"m pretty picky at what I use!
http://profchoice.com/i-7261555-ballistic-overreach-boots.html

I’ve tried Classic Equine Legacy sport boots. I didn’t like them at all. They were harder to apply that the Professional Choice, and I could never get the darts to line up properly under the fetlock, no matter which size I tried.
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/classic-equine-legacy-smb-boots-frt/E000246/

I have not yet tried the Classic Equine CrossFit boot. But I would be interested too.
http://www.equibrand.com/Classic-Equine-d3/Protective-Boots-c10/Hind-Boots-sc2/CrossFit-cl61/

Most everyone I know loves Iconoclast but I find the double sling to be “overkill” and too bulky. Certainly not worth the increased hefty price, to me.
http://www.iconoclastequine.com.au/

I’ve been really curious to try the new Relentless boots, as they look similar in style to the PC SMB 3, but I have not yet tried them.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/relentless-allaround-sports-bootsvalue-pack-11247

[Beverley]

The sale of boots and wraps over the last couple of decades is in my opinion a great example of convincing the masses they need something, when more often than not they don’t. I only use boots if there’s a need- a horse that for some reason might hit himself. I don’t use them to protect against scrapes and such and so far so good in 45 years of foxhunting. I even had a case of getting a horse who ‘must’ wear bell boots in turnout and being ridden because he was hitting himself. I took the boots off and let him hit himself and he figured out how not to do that.

Truthfully over the decades, I’ve seen more injuries/rubs from boots applied incorrectly or (out hunting) taking on debris, than I’ve seen injuries that might have been prevented by the use of boots.

[RPM]

Hear, hear, Beverley! I, too, like horses to go clean!