I hate hunting in boots, swore off of them my first year and haven’t used them in nearly a decade. Now, I have a horse who may be suffering from a punctur wound from cactus to his fetlock. Going for X-ray and the giant vet bil today.
It could also be fracture or torn extensor tendon, collateral ligament but what I do know is that I pulled about a hundred cactus needles, including some big barrel cactus, out of his legs, mostly his from legs, the day before and he came up three legged lame the next day. Also, perhaps coincidence, but he’s on penicillin, and seems to be getting remarkably better, much more so than I would expect from an orthopedic injury over the weekend.
So, in light of this, I’m thinking running around in the desert on light breed horses (TB, Paint/TB crosses) might not be the brightest thing to do without some lower leg protection.
Next, what kind of protection? I need something cool, light, and impervious to cactus. Those buggers are sharp, can go through a shoe! Not expecting support. Protection seems to be needed to the front and sides of the legs more than anything.
And than you have Arnold, the wonder TB. I could wrap him in Kevlar. He would still stick his face in a jumping cholla! Luckily, so far, Arnold seems to be my junkyard horse who I can wrap in barbwire and bring back without a scratch.
I long for the days when the hunt fixture creatures normal steel shoes and I used my pliers to cut wire, not cactus AND wire! Someday, less than two years, counting every second.
I put those open front boots with the hard tendon protectors on all four of Rainy’s legs, for exactly this reason.
She hates all boots, but her legs are more precious to me than her petty dislikes. She’s learned to tolerate them and they don’t end up full of junk or rub her.
[QUOTE=rivenoak;5344234]
I put those open front boots with the hard tendon protectors on all four of Rainy’s legs, for exactly this reason.
She hates all boots, but her legs are more precious to me than her petty dislikes. She’s learned to tolerate them and they don’t end up full of junk or rub her.[/QUOTE]
Well, just got done with the vet. Looks like a bad cellulitis from probably a barrel cactus. He, like , thought fracture or abscess but the heat, swelling and point tenderness were impossible to ignore. Stays normal. IV antibiotics for a week. Ugh!
What brand of boots are you using? Im going to need three sets of four.
Life was much simpler when only Arnold the Indestructible was hunted!
I’m pretty sure they’re Weatherbeetas.
I think LamiCell make something similar, as do a few other companies.
I’m off to search the Internet!
Hey,
I love Wethabeeta! They have a rubbery lining that will not absorb water (important in the muddy, watery South) and double closure system that keeps the boot closed and free from mud. The boot goes on as usual with the stretchy straps going front to back, then a second set of velcro straps go around back to front-these are just a cover for the straps that actually keep the boot on the horse, so they look backwards but they’re not. They have a tough rubber/plastic outer shell.
Hope this helps,
Huntin’ Fool
Veredus boots; http://www.amirashop.co.uk/acatalog/Veredus_Boots.html?gclid=CL7dkPDF-6YCFZNd7AodkXAKBQ
Snowbee makes good open fronts like rivenoak mentioned. Snowbee is known for making race product, and are a more reasonably priced product.
I also have really liked the Thinline ones, they seem to hold up a lot longer than the ones that have neoprene lining. However, they are pricey.
You might also want to look at the ones that are considered Cross Country boots with the hard pvc on them. These add protection across the front of the canon bones.
Snowbee- http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=HF00010
Thinline- http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=II00072
Cross Country - http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=Z1-04095&tid=froogleCLS&CATALOG_CODE=1X814&EID=X1814001&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=49&zmap=Z1-04095
