Super random question, but I’ve been watching a bunch of equitation classes on WEF’s Youtube channel while at home sick and noticed most of the grooms/trainers take the horses’ hind boots off as soon as they exit the ring.
It was particularly noticeable because in one class that had a 4 rider ride-off, the trainers took the boots off while in the line up waiting for the results.
Is it just a heat thing or something? They left the front ones on as far as I could tell
Could be for heat. I’ll take off all of my horse’s boots right away after a round because of that. However, for the just the hinds it makes me wonder if they are weighted. People use weighted hind boots so horses are more active behind and are less likely to have a “lazy” rail. They take them off so the horses don’t have to wear them any longer than necessary, as opposed to necessarily hiding something - unless weight isn’t allowed in the equitation ring which I’m not sure about.
Yes, they’re likely Doda or “pinch” boots, so they’re taken off for comfort.
I’m pulling the dumb person card. What are pinch boots?
I did a quick google search but it didn’t explain the action clearly. Like does it really pinch or is that just the name people call them?
They squeeze the tendon at a certain point in leverage, which causes a sharp discomfort/pain. Horses respond to that sensation by picking up their hinds higher. Once you know what they are, you’ll notice horses in them.
I hate humans. That is all.
It really sucked when everyone thought they needed to use them to be on a level playing field. So many nice jumpers got ruined. The eq horses largely survived but when you don’t get across an oxer at 1.50 because you are jumping straight up like a flea, it’s not pretty. Now there are rules against over-tightness and ridges in the liners.
I had a horse that jumped better with hind boots on - no pinch, just regular ankle boots. He would jump the last 1-2 jumps of the warm up with them, jump the round, and then they came right off. They didn’t make him jump like a freak or anything; he was young and had a spectacular front end and sometimes was less careful behind when he was distracted. The boots helped him keep a nice shape over the jumps.
Yes, I am typically very pro-normal/humane hind boots. Right now, I am in a barn of extremely tidy jumpers, to the point where no one wears any hind boots at all. I cannot imagine trying to jump my mare in pinch boots — my ammy butt would be waving from the stratosphere, LOL!
Why aren’t they banned?
Just when I was kind of liking the hunter jumper world again. Then I find out about this. Assholes
Don’t include Hunters in this…
Right, hunters can not show in boots.
Yup, boarded at a barn where I heard Eq kid’s mom screaming at the groom that the hind boots were not tight enough, and that is why the kid had a rail.
@luvmyhackney, me too.
Ugh. I thought they were banned? I hate people.
Some trainers use them in warmups.
I was referring to in the show ring…lots of things are done to Hunters outside of it I also do not care for but I have no voice in what happens at home or even in the warm up.
Wow. I had no idea such a thing existed (Western rider here).
How terrible. I can’t imagine using pain to try to enhance the performance of your horse. From a mental standpoint, that does quite the opposite.
They’re illegal for FEI competitions, I’m not sure why USEF doesn’t just make them illegal as well.
Oh, they got their own bags of tricks over there. Good for you do not hang around with those who use them…but late night and pre dawn hours in the schooling rings at shows can reveal much. Most of which is not good and the riders using them can be surprising.
There is an old saying, “May you never meet your heros”. Worth keeping in mind.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
