Skid boots for a hunter? (And other overreach protection suggestions)

[DawgLady]

My gelding keeps interfering and cutting himself on his front heels and pasterns. It happens both on the lunge and under saddle. I’ve tried most of the bell boots, but they all rub him (he has super sensitive skin). Also, the bell boots don’t protect the back of his pastern. I’ve tried socks under the bell boots, but they didn’t stay in place…and so he still got rubbed.

The farrier is aware and we’re trying to help him with strategic shoeing.

My trainer and I are trying to think of all the booting options that might help him. Next up are quarter boots, but I fear they may not go high enough to protect the back of his pastern.

Has anyone ever used reining skid boots on a hunter or jumper? I don’t know if they will be appropriate for jumping.

Any other suggestions to protect this area? I’m almost ready to bubble wrap him from the knee down…I’m at my wit’s end!

[DawgLady]

Ah crap, I just realized reiners use these on the hind legs. I need them for the front.

[NaturallyHappy]

Pastern wraps may help. Try Big Dee’s, Dover, or Smartpak. Good luck!

[gertie06]

I have not personally used them – and don’t even know if this would work for riding – but what about the turnout boots that are made to protect scratches-prone horses? I think they might actually be called “mud fever boots” or “mud socks.”

[NancyM]

Could you wrap some polo bandages a bit lower onto the pastern? Rather than just figure 8 around the ankle and go back up from there, instead take a couple wraps below the ankle before heading back up onto the cannon? Just a thought. You’d have to start the wrapping a bit lower than usual to have enough bandage. Bell boots might fit on top of your low bandage wraps, give a bit of protection from any rubs that might come from the bell boots too.
The question is… why is this horse damaging himself in this way? And to this extent that it has become a problem?

[soloudinhere]

You can wrap bandage pads like the dressage folks do - lower down on the pastern so they cover to the top of the coronary band.

[DawgLady]

@soloudinhere

You can wrap bandage pads like the dressage folks do - lower down on the pastern so they cover to the top of the coronary band.

Any chance you could dig up a picture? I’m not exactly sure what you mean. Thanks!

[DawgLady]

@NancyM

The question is… why is this horse damaging himself in this way? And to this extent that it has become a problem?

I don’t know, but he’s been seen by the vet, who didn’t express any alarm.

[soloudinhere]

Patrick Kittel’s horse on the left shows what I am talking about.

[DawgLady]

Wow, thanks! I’ve never seen this before. Very interesting.

[Willesdon]

Shoeing.

[Tha_Ridge]

eQuick makes a boot that I think does what you’re looking for: https://www.fundis-equestrian.com/horse/leg-protection/fetlock-boots/jumping/3202/equick-fetlock-boots-eultra?c=1560

[Training_Cupid]

Sounds like you’re looking for combo boots, like these by professionals choice (I’ve never used them for jumping):

https://profchoice.com/i-7325554-smb-combo-boots.html

[PNWSunnyDay]

What does this horse’s hind hooves look like? How long are the toes?

[bluepece2]

What about these by Equick? https://www.equick.it/product-page/eshock-overreach

[Janet]

@soloudinhere

Patrick Kittel’s horse on the left shows what I am talking about.

But those bandages are just used for the presentation, not for work.

[DawgLady]

Nothing out of the ordinary. He was just reshod on Wednesday. The next day, he’s clipping himself again. I will definitely talk to the farrier again about how we can address this by shoeing, but I think the solution will take a combination of good farrier work and appropriate boots.

[DawgLady]

@bluepece2

What about these by Equick? https://www.equick.it/product-page/eshock-overreach

These look amazing! Thank you so much!

[soloudinhere]

Horses are absolutely ridden in wraps like this every day, it’s not just done for the presentation.

[Xanthoria]

Scalper boots aka scalping boots - can be worn up or down facing

https://www.bigdweb.com/product/code/8634.do?gclid=Cj0KCQiArt6PBhCoARIsAMF5wahQFkNKpqaGFmWIbrAhV4AS2ME1ImgIQBBvw8yKIZpmzxtmJ69T2UYaAl0_EALw_wcB