I’m looking to replace my Heidis. I’ve seen the Dovers and am looking for higher quality than that. I tried a high-end non-fleece lined boot but am returning it, my boy is just too sensitive ;).The only non-fleece line boot I am considering is this one (it seems soft and breathable enough):
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-0412&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=66&zmap=X1-0412&re=viewbuyrec
Anyone any experience with it?
My all time favorites - Euro Pro Boots - Askans and Heidi’s
The DSB2 boots are what my trainer uses. I like the finishing on the bottom so the fleece doesn’t stick out all over.
http://www.eurosaddlery.com/products2.cfm/ID/530/name/DSB%20DRESSAGE%20SPORT%20BOOT%20II
DITTO! I had the DOver knockoffs, but I didn’t like them nearly as much.
Toklat Valena’s. I love mine.
http://www.eqtack.com/catalog/product_info.php?language=en¤cy=USD&products_id=590
They come in both front and hind
I second the Toklat Valena’s. They seem to have a little more substance than the Heidi/Askan and also seem to last even longer!
Professional’s Choice Leather Protection Boots.
The leather breathes better than the Coverlight used on DSB’s and the newer Pelham-Ascots.
The stitching and the velcro are better than the Valenas.
I have at least one pair of ALL of these, so this is a 3-rat (or horse, LOL) study.
Best price I’ve found for them is Adams Equine Supply.
http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7691.html
(this is for set of 4, but they also have set of 2)
I looked at the Valena’s but I couldn’t find x large. I love my Dressage Sport Boots. (DSB2)
People on Horses makes the nicest ones I have ever seen. They are slightly more expensive but I have found they make it about 6 months longer than the others with a lot of use and a lot of washings so they are worth the extra costs.
M
Probably my favorites are the Heidis. I like my Valenas and think they’re cushier, but they also seem to twist on the leg (maybe just because the horse who wore them needed them!). Both lasted several years. I hated the Dovers and the Pelham-Ascots.
[QUOTE=canyonoak;4312785]
Professional’s Choice Leather Protection Boots.
The leather breathes better than the Coverlight used on DSB’s and the newer Pelham-Ascots.
The stitching and the velcro are better than the Valenas.
I have at least one pair of ALL of these, so this is a 3-rat (or horse, LOL) study.
Best price I’ve found for them is Adams Equine Supply.
http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,7691.html
(this is for set of 4, but they also have set of 2)[/QUOTE]
Am I blind–can’t find the sizing info. No idea what size would be needed (thoroughbred 16’1" medium bone).
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;4317475]
Am I blind–can’t find the sizing info. No idea what size would be needed (thoroughbred 16’1" medium bone).[/QUOTE]
I have the same question. Do they run similar in size to Woof boots? Mine usually wears mediums in front and large in back.
[QUOTE=scubed;4312281]
Toklat Valena’s. I love mine.
http://www.eqtack.com/catalog/product_info.php?language=en¤cy=USD&products_id=590
They come in both front and hind[/QUOTE]
I second these, I love mine. They hold up so well and are machine washable 
Sizing on the Prof. Choice Leather boots runs fairly standard, I think.
I have Large for front and X-Large for hind.
With a bit different spacing of how the velcro meshes with the bottom piece, the set of boots fits my (heavier-boned) 16.1 TB and fairly standard WB (who is about 16.3 and I think fairly standard bone).
And the boots fit my 3rd ‘rat’, the 16.2 WB mare who has tree-trunk legs: she can work in the boots and they do not work loose or twist etc etc, but there is a tiny gap on the outside of the cannon where the fleece barely meets.
I like the way the boots are shaped; fleece lined boots tend to be made like cylinders, but these seem to follow the leg shape a bit better than most.
I have both Valena’s and DSB2’s…definitely prefer the DSB2…I found they hold up much better, and have added substance…my Valena’s “stretch”/velcro area lots elasticity very quickly, and the DSB’s are still very strong…
[QUOTE=What’s Up;4314437]
People on Horses makes the nicest ones I have ever seen. They are slightly more expensive but I have found they make it about 6 months longer than the others with a lot of use and a lot of washings so they are worth the extra costs.
M[/QUOTE]
I second this, although I have found that my people on horses splint boots have easily lasted (with many more washings too boot) way longer than every pair of splints I’ve seen my trainer go through. Professional choice, dovers, etc. She complains about how short lived splint boots are and I just smile and nod lol. I’ve had mine for several years now and they are still going strong and look great (and I am HARD on them).
I like the Dover knock offs. I wash mine in the washing machine and they come out great. I have had them for several years, and at $20 a pair on sale, you can buy 2 or 3 for the price of one of the others.
I’ve found the Dover knock-offs to be very cheaply made; I kill them rather quickly.
TOTD pretty regularly has boots called something like “washable dressage boots.” They’re cheap and cheerful, but even better come in a wide selection of colors, from the benign to the outrageous. And isn’t that what’s it’s really all about?
Fair warning on the TOTD boots: they’re HAND washable! If I wanted hand washable boots, I’d use my leather ones. I hated them anyway and gave them away.
I’ve been chucking mine in the machine with no ill effects.
