Hi, would you put boots for turnout on a horse that IS staying out for 8 hours à day ?Would you bé concerned of thé heating of tendons and ligaments ? Tia
I would never do that. Horsie will be fine in turnout. Put bellboots on if you need to.
Why? For thé tendons?
Heat, dirt under them, getting hung up in them - not to mention the PITA factor of having to put them on and take them off.
Put your horse out. He’s going to be fine. No bubble wrap needed.
The only time I boot up is if a horse has been on stall rest - the first 2-3 turnouts they get boots put on, but only for the first 20 minutes. Then I go out and pull them back off.
2 Likes
My main concerne IS thé heating of thé tendons, i try to read about it but found nothing so do not really know if it s Bad for them to stay many hours with leg boots
What are you worried about your horse doing? Coming in with a nick or a scratch?
No big deal, let him be a horse. 8 hours is WAY too long to have boots on for.
1 Like
Yes it is bad for the tendons and can cause injuries, rubs, and skin issues. It is something I would only do reluctantly and as a last resort.
3 Likes
Yes i am worried that hé could get injured but AT thé same Time i do not know what thé heat would cause, if tendonitis or not.
Read @Highflyer1 response as well.
Your horse will be fine without boots. 8 hours is too long. Turnout is wonderful for him, sans boots.
1 Like
If you’re worried about him hitting himself or stepping on himself, throw on bell boots. My horse lives in pull ons. I would not turn out in boots due to heat, sand/dirt.
Bell boots and fly boots are the only appropriate boots for turnout, IMO. Well, and maybe hoof boots for a tender-footed horse that needs some help in that area. Otherwise, no boots. Horses are meant to be outside in pastures. They don’t need to be protected from what they’re designed to do naturally.
2 Likes
The heat causes the molecules of the soft tissues in the leg to move away from each other, making the tendons and ligaments more stretchy and thus more prone to tears. The pressure from the boots themselves can cause what are basically bandage bows, or pressure sores, or the heat and sweating can cause blistering, make it easier for fungus to grow, the boots can slip or get caught on halters/blankets/fly masks… etc, etc etc. I have worked at barns where we were required to turn horses out in boots and it was mostly okay, except that sometimes it wasn’t. I would only do it with my own horses for short periods while I can supervise them.
