I used to use the hock wraps as I was tacking up or prior to a dressage test, and felt they helped! Also a big fan of their other products, worth the $$ IMHO!
I have had success with the hock boots, but one of my horses won’t move at all when I put them on. He apparently thinks he’s hobbled. LOL. I’ve noticed a pretty big difference from using them for about an hour before riding. All of mine seem to enjoy the sheets and it does seem that their muscles are more relaxed after wearing it. The glove liners help my Raynaud’s…a lot.
I LOVE BOT products.
Except I had a problem with the hock boots, nothing against BOT but the ancient Arab mare I put them on WOULD NOT STOP KICKING. I gave the boots to her stable, with 30-40 horses I am sure that someday they will be useful.
But every ride this mare communicates to me how she likes the BOT poll cap (she sulks if I forget it) and she loves her BOT exercise sheet. She now considers the BOT poll cap and exercise sheet as her rightful due.
I was skeptical at first, but after some injuries, I bought the knee brace and ankle brace for myself. My leg felt so much better and they really helped with swelling. I decided to get the hock boots for my older gelding who has some arthritis and I think they do help loosen him up in the cold winter months. As the years have passed, I’ve added to my collection and now have the mesh sheet, quick wraps, and a dressage saddle pad. I started using the pad with my younger guy in the colder weather and he definitely warms up quicker than when we use a regular pad. Even my dressage trainer told me that she saw a difference.
Not to derail this thread but has anyone tried the Rambo Ionic line? How does that compare to BOT products?
I was eyeing the blanket liner as it would be convenient to have an item that integrates with existing blankets …
Re the Pos ter with Reynaud’s… I get something called chilblains on my hands, and equestrian perniosis (yes - it’s actually a thing!) on my outer thighs. It’s a result of skin warming, getting cold, warming etc over and over again. It’s to do with blood flow and circulation. So - if I wear the BOT gloves, they need to be a size bigger than I normally wear so that I’ve got plenty of air flow and movement around my hands. I also have the liners which I sometimes wear in bed…it’s not pretty, but it helps my hands.
In cold weather, my horse receives about 20-30 min with the BOT back warmer (don’t know the technical name), and I use the saddle pads. I think this assists in loosening up his arthritic back and hips too. BOT isn’t a cure all, but it does help. Not for Nothing: I bought their helmet. It’s fabulous - comfortable, breathable and pretty too!
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I use the t-shirt for my bad shoulder. (torn rotator cuff and bicep tendon, and arthritis) Made a big difference while I slept - less pain, less stiffness. I haven’t tried any of the BOT products on my horses but may now after reading about all of the success stories, especially the sheet!
I’ve heard enough good things about BOT that I bought both the mesh sheet and the quarter sheet. Unfortunately I haven’t had great luck with either, but for different reasons. The mesh sheet is just a horrible fit on her. I’ve tried all sorts of different things to make it fit better but they have all failed. So I’ve never really been able to evaluate it. Same thing with the quarter sheet — she is apparently opposed to fleece touching her directly. Goes around with her tushy tucked WAY underneath her!
I have a Rambo Ionic sheet…my young horse wears it at shows and in cold weather while I’m grooming…he does seem to yawn and lick and chew a lot while wearing it, so I think it does something. (He’ll also leave it on in his stall, which he does not always do with just a normal sheet/blanket.)
My older horse has BOT sheet, no bows, and hock boots. I think they all make a positive difference for her, so she wears the sheet the majority of the time that it’s cold enough. She has learned to make peace with the hock boots, she wears them at home for a bit before a ride, or at a show from the time I braid until I get on.
Both horses wear the no-bows, and their legs definitely feel cool and tight when I unwrap them, so I count that as a win.
Following along because my older guy does take longer to warm up in the cold and I’m considering buying BOT. May try to borrow a sheet or pad first before I invest, as based on this thread it seems to help some individuals but not others. To my fellow Reynaud’s sufferers: Try wearing a pair of latex gloves as glove liners. Keeps my hands toasty warm. And if it doesn’t work for you, you’re out a few pennies.
I’m going to second the heated blanket/heating pad idea. If you have access to an electrical outlet, it is AMAZING. I used to have a tense backed horse. If I popped a heating pad or heated blanket on his loins while I groomed, he felt amazing right off the hop when I got on. Easy to pick up for like $20 too.
To those who were asking about using the hock wraps for warmup: I can strongly recommend them. I put them on my 25yo gelding while grooming and then leave them on through warmup. I ride in them 15-20 minutes, basically a long stretchy walk, 5-7 minutes of trot, and a canter lap in each direction. Then I take them off. It definitely makes a positive difference in how much he’s willing to sit in his hind end.
I also use and love the saddle pad and the Quick Wraps; usually I put the quick wraps on after a hard ride for him to wear overnight. He gets some degree of fetlock fill as a matter of course and they definitely help to keep it down. The only reason he doesn’t wear them all the time inside is because I don’t want to make that much work for the barn staff.
I highly recommend Draper Therapies over BOT.
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I have a friend with Reynaud’s and she says the BOT gloves help immensely. She also uses them as liners.
For the OP: I got a BOT tshirt and used it for a night shirt before spending on a sheet for my horse. It helps me feel much less stiff in the morning. I’ve now got a sheet for every horse and one of my dogs, a fleece blanket for the couch (that the cats tend to monopolize so I got a mini-throw for them), socks, glove liners, knee brace and back brace.
Keep checking Tack of the Day, they have good sales on BOT every few months.
It is interesting that every cat prefers the BOT blanket to a comfy cat bed.
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I have the gloves. They are wonderful in the winter but awful in the summer. Although TX is incredibly hot in the summer so maybe they would be ok in other areas. I had the sheet, standing wraps, exercise boots, bell boots, and my friend has the ankle brace. I had a very arthritic navicular QH and I believe when he spent a night in the sheet was marginally better than when he didn’t. I’m not completely sold on the kool aid but my friend swears on the ankle brace.
