From zero to boots?

[MegBackInSaddle]

So I’m planning to start the 2019 Season of Exploration with my 8 yo OTTB mare. She became mine in August of 2018. She was Sister’s horse for over a year before I got her. They jumped around low for H/J schooling type shows. We’ve tooled around indoors and out and jump up to about 2’9". Getting a trailer soon, and going to explore!

We’ll stick to lower stuff, but I plan on some intro level dressage, XC, and fox hunting. I’ve never used boots or polos on her. So…boots?

What should I look for in a good all-around boot? Not worried about competition stuff yet. Fronts? Hinds? Typical size for a 16.0hh-16.1hh TB?

She doesn’t seem to over reach or strike or pull shoes Just know immovable obstacles call for some protection.

Educate me some?

[Highflyer]

I would go for something like basic Woof brushing boots in Medium for fronts and probably Large for hinds https://www.statelinetack.com/item/woof-wear-sport-brushing-boots/E012040/ But really I wouldn’t use anything for flatwork or foxhunting unless she hits herself.

[MegBackInSaddle]

Thank you both for the responses!

I don’t plan to use them on the flat, with the exception of possibly using them when trail riding. She doesn’t strike herself in the ring on the flat or jumping. Our only lost-time injury was from her thumping a rear cannon bone on a trail ride. She’s not very careful on the trail, very interested in everything EXCEPT where she’s putting her feet, just sorts of trips her way along. I’d only use them foxhunting when/if we make it to second field and are jumping.

What’s the difference between splint, brushing, and eventing boots?

And what do I want to AVOID or be cautious of when it comes to boots? Never used them before. I know they can cause more problems than they solve if used incorrectly.

So am I looking for something like this? https://www.bobttackshop.ca/store/p3401/Professional’s_Choice_Hybird_Splint_Boots.html (my local tack shop) They carry these as well https://www.bobttackshop.ca/store/p3602/Professional’s_Choice_Sports_Medicine_Boots_2_Pack_-_Assorted_Colours.html But they look like they’d be really hot, and I know heat is bad. And again, lower level stuff. Neither of us will ever go pro, haha!

Another tack shop I visit has these https://m.applesaddlery.com/FG-Lami-Cell-Splint-Boots---Black/885455611947626992/Product and these https://m.applesaddlery.com/FG-P-Lami-Cell-Splint-Boots---Black---Medium/-2978351512695885328/Product. Must say I like the price! They also carry the Woof Wear brushing boots and various Amigo eventing boots for around $40 (CAD) per pair.

I’d like to stay under $200, and cheaper is always better, as long as the quality is there, especially since we’re only beginning to explore, and I don’t yet know if either or both of us will even like evening or hunting.

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[DunByMistake]

From the options you linked to, my choice would be the first ones. Run away from the sport medicine boots. The last 2 options might be sufficient for what you are doing but I would be concerned about them getting water logged. That can be a problem - boots tend to slip and rub when they’re wet. I would go into your local tack shops and ask for their recommendation.

I personally like front and hinds for cross country schooling. I’ve had my horse bring down the landing gear a bit early over a couple new jumps and put a couple pretty good scratches in his hind boots. I was very glad they were on.

[MegBackInSaddle]

Thanks for the input! I do think I’ll want hind boots, as well. Again, it was a hind leg she injured on the trail. And since I’ll be getting a trailer soon, I’ll want to explore some new trails, too. I think it’s great for conditioning as well as recall good for her mind…just not always good for her clumsy legs.

So water logging is a consideration, check. What about these two Amigo boots? https://m.applesaddlery.com/Amigo-Airflow-Horse-Boots/1315573688854360560/Product and https://m.applesaddlery.com/Amigo-Easiboots---Black/1315594426248311280/Product
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[MegBackInSaddle]

Great info, thanks! That’s two recommendations for these specific boots, and they’re available (semi) locally. And $80 plus tax for 4 boots is quite affordable.

Appreciate the try-them-out-first advice. Will definitely let her get used to them before we head out on any new adventures.

[vineyridge]

As far as I have experienced, the vast majority of foxhunters don’t use boots for very good reasons. They are not traveling over manicured ground, and there is a good chance that things like twigs and briars and sand can get trapped IN the boots and cause a good bit of damage. Better to go bare legged and risk a few superficial and usually minor cuts and scrapes.

[MegBackInSaddle]

Appreciate the advice! I have zero foxhunting experience, and I definitely plan to speak to my contact at the hunt club before our first cap (I’ve read everything I can find online about etiquette dress, etc, but plan to pick her brain, too). As this will be new territory for me and my mare, we’ll start out as hilltoppers and see how that works out. She can be a little hot, but often does better with more distractions, and she generally has a good mind, but you never know until you know.

So I’ve ordered some of the Woof Wear brushing boots to try. (That tack shop is a little over an hour away, and they have low shipping costs.) Considering that most foxhunters don’t use them, would it be inadvisable to use them at all on unmaniured trails? I’d hoped to be able to offer my clutz some protection when trail riding.

[solarflight]

OP, I see you are from Ontario. I highly recommend Boogaloo boots. They are designed for xc with an extra strike guard on the inside and front of the cannon, but myself and many people use them for everything. They are also Ontario made, and available in custom colours! They also last forever, I have a set that is over 10 years old and still going strong.

As others have said, I don’t personally use boots when I trail ride. I’m always more worried about twigs and such getting in the boots, and generally when I’m hacking I’m just walking anyway.

[solarchaser]

I picked up a set of Davis boots for my mare. They only had white available which are a pain to keep clean but I do like how they’ve held up over the last year of use. I’ve also schooled XC in my Pro Choice elite boots and they were good. Sometimes they would hold a lot of water and then get a little floppy. It was hot enough that they would dry quick enough but that was one thing I like about the Davis boots is they don’t hold a lot of moisture.

[goodmorning]

These are my favorite everyday boots and last forever. They do not retain water for light XC water schooling, never irritate the legs, don’t trap excessive mud/dirt/sand (I have used them for many 3hr hacks & hunter paces through all sorts of much), do not retain heat, hose off looking great and dry quickly. I am not a huge fan of woof boots, but I don’t like neoprene.

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/valena-woollined-boots-12367

[MegBackInSaddle]

Definitely appreciate all of the input, and making notes for future purchases.

I did go ahead and get some Woof Wear boots. I don’t know anything about my own or my mare’s preferences, and the price point and availability was right for an experiment.

I do like buying Canadian when I can and like the look of the Boogaloos. Keeping them in mind.

Again, everything but tooling around in the arena and hopping small jumps for fun is new for us. The Season of Exploration demands low-cost, versatile stuff until we figure out what suits us best as a team. I’ve gone from three pairs of breeches, a Troxel helmet I hated, and a pair of Ariat boots in early July of last year, to a horse of my own, a second helmet I love, a closet full of breeches and layering clothes for winter riding, basic hunt-type show clothes, a full set of quality English tack plus an older but serviceable dressage saddle, multiple saddle blankets and half-pads, three horse blankets, a decent snaffle collection, and a decent set of all-things-grooming. Still buying things here and there to cover all reasonable bases. Maybe this season will tell us where, if anywhere, we’ll specialize a bit more.

Many thanks to all who have chimed in! Any further opinions are welcome, as I just keep learning.

[Saskatoonian]

Much as my friends will be snickering to read this, because I have a giant and beautiful boot collection, I have to say that I don’t use boots at all - flat, stadium, XC, hunting - unless the horse is wearing studs or there’s a prior injury (my P horse with an old suspensory injury always wore support boots).

I know you’ve already ordered them, so am just throwing that out FWIW. Have so much fun with your season of exploration!!

[MegBackInSaddle]

Thanks, Saskatoonian! I appreciate the input! I’m learning all the time and value different points of view. I definitely feel like since I last rode heavily as a youth, about two decades ago, and present day, there has been a big shift to more equipment. Maybe we have better stuff more widely available? Maybe we’ve learned how to better protect our mounts? Or maybe we have the internet and see everything in boots and feel we need to do the same? Lol, not sure.

I plan to get her used to boots on the flat, and will probably use them when we hit up a small nearby XC course in spring. If she seems pretty careful over fixed objects, we may end up going without.

My lumpy-legged but super sound girl will never “pass” a vet anyhow (sesamoid, lump on a cannon bone), but I’d love to avoid adding any more interesting contours to her legs.

[Jealoushe]

@solarflight

OP, I see you are from Ontario. I highly recommend Boogaloo boots. They are designed for xc with an extra strike guard on the inside and front of the cannon, but myself and many people use them for everything. They are also Ontario made, and available in custom colours! They also last forever, I have a set that is over 10 years old and still going strong.

As others have said, I don’t personally use boots when I trail ride. I’m always more worried about twigs and such getting in the boots, and generally when I’m hacking I’m just walking anyway.

Second Boogaloos! Especially for schooling and low level Eventing. I have pairs that are over 15 years old! You can throw them in the wash or hose them off, they last forever.

Also they are made in Canada by Canadians so you are supporting Canada and small business!

For what you want you want these or Woofs.

I always boot. Every single ride. One bad bump or scrape can mean a lifetime of recovery.

I recommend watching this to understand how easy a tendon can snap from a small hit.

https://youtu.be/feAj2aspkIE