What are the best horse boots out there? I hate the idea of subjecting my gelding’s tendons to excess heat but also dislike wrapping and unwrapping 4 Equifit polos every ride (I know, champagne problems) - so, what are your recommendations for decent quality boots that won’t break the bank? Or are polos the best way to go, and if so, what brands should I look for and/or avoid?
I don’t know how big the bank is for you; but these boots are hands down the best I’ve ever used.
https://www.premierequine.co.uk/tech…ts-c2x28458690
I ordered these, from England, and received them in CA in less than 1 week!
Can you comment on the sizing of these boots–looking at the size chart as compared to DSB’s I can’t figure out what size my horses would need. Are they pretty durable?
I believe the sizing is similar. My big horse, 17.2, wears L in front, XL behind. My not so big horse, 16.2, wears M in front, L behind.
I’ve had one pair for over 3 months and with daily use there are absolutely no knicks or scraps. They are amazing.
I’m not into “fuzzy boots” :winkgrin: so no comment there. I have some Arma Air Motion boots for everyday and hacking. They wash easily, dry quickly, and my horse’s legs don’t get terribly hot or sweaty.
I did just order Lemieux snug boots, but they’re not here yet. I do have their air mesh brushing boots that aren’t bad either. They look a little nicer than the Arma boots, but the Arma’s have a better strike pad and are cooler overall.
My 'go-to’s are Equilibrium, training or flatwork wraps. They wash beautifully and last for years and ‘breathe’ as promised. When I take them off I can see the pattern of stoma holes marked out in dust on my horse’s leg, which never feels hot or sweaty. https://www.equilibriumproducts.com/product/stretch-and-flex-flatwork-wraps/
I hear the Equilibrium’s mentioned quite a bit. How do they fare in a horse that actually brushes/hits himself? Basically, will they just shred?
Carrot, I wouldn’t use them for jumping or really fast work, they don’t have a hardened strike pad, just the neoprene.
What I see on them as ‘evidence’ after a ride at the most is a bit of dirt on around the part that covers the feltlock, resulting from the opposite hoof literally ‘brushing’ the surface. My young mare dishes [or plaits? get these two mixed up] with her left fore, and is fairly narrow behind and leggy and a bit ‘un-co’ at times, never had an injury; had them on my old schoolmaster before that … got them to replace the sheepskin lined ones [EquinNZ] that were making his legs too hot. He was definitely happier. They seem to last for years, without shredding. If anything, the velcro gets curly.
But your right to enquire, as they ain’t cheap, and you’ve got to be happy with what they are, and the fit.
ps: the ‘training’ ones have the feltlock sling thing like the Professional Sports ones.
Interesting. I hear people raving about boots all the time that just seem to offer…nothing :lol: so if I am going to pay, I’d like them to last and serve a purpose.
I do notice wear on this horse’s boots on the lower part of the strike pad. His Lemieux boots that don’t have a hard strike pad, aren’t going to last it seems.
He’s also narrow/base narrow behind. The fronts don’t really show any wear.
Thanks for the info.
Besides bell boots, I have yet to see any evidence that wearing boots provided any benefits. I’m sure there are outliers who have front feet that swing in. But they don’t do anything beneficial for tendons.
I think of it as lateral support (sideways) or longitudinal support (up and down the leg). I think a “regular” boot provides some lateral support, but also protection from whacks. My boots tend to get banged up more in the rear than the front, I suspect because of lateral work. YMMV.
I would like to second the premiere equine brushing boots, except I got the carbon air-tech ones, (not the fleece lined.) These are my new favorite boots ever. I love how light and breathable they are, and the strike pad seems to absorb impact well. I also love how affordable they are!
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