I just want to say - I love this post. I love seeing fellow scientists post thorough, thought out comments. It’s nice to see someone else who thinks critically and understands how do to a proper experiment. I’m not a vet, but as a chemist I am trained to think critically and analyze data. And as I mentioned previously, I thoroughly boot my horse.
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I absolutely know the research on heat in tendons…and why I have top of the line breathable boots for everyday. And why they come off fast and why I Ice my horses after gallops right away etc.
My point was I still use boots because it is FAR FAR more likely that my shod horses will do damage without boots and in every day rides that is preventable (Im talking knock an old split that takes them out for weeks every time it happens or some other stupid thing). And on most everyday rides…not gallops or strenuous work…their legs do not generally get hot (although I still never leave boots on).
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Open front boots (leather, fleece lined) for show jumping (schooling or showing) to protect from over reaching and catching a tendon (horse has big stride and is not long in the body). Brushing ankle boots or naked behind.
Cross country (schooling or showing) - fully booted with Majyk Equip boots on all 4 plus bell boots in front. She often overreaches while galloping (causing some good size injuries despite being barefoot), occasionally does weird things at up or down banks, and the jumps don’t give.
Hacking - usually naked as I don’t want stuff getting stuck in the boots.
Dressage - sometimes naked, but if we are stepping up the difficulty I go with brushing boots or BOT polos on all 4 (more often BOT polos because she seems to like them and maybe move a bit better when first starting) just to protect from minor injuries if she has an uncoordinated moment!
Lunging - BOT polos or brushing boots on all 4 legs (more often the polos as above) because occasionally she gets silly!
And there are quite a few studies on tendon temperature and cell degradation out there. I do think the consensus is that boots are not “bad” and that taking them off promptly and cooling the legs is crucial. There are also studies on tendon temperature without boots that suggest that cold hosing after extreme work is indicated.
My estimation is that there are well over 10 peer-reviewed published studies on tendon temperature in equines during/after exercise and the results are pretty conclusive that yes tendon temperature rises to the level of cell degradation.
I have not seen any amongst these studies that address long term use of boots and tendon “weakening.”
This is an interesting discussion because it raises our awareness of how important it is to de-boot and hose immediately after intense exercise. How many of us stand about at clinics in the heat of the day with sweating hot horses, all booted up? I have also had grooms who had no idea that de-booting is important. Anyone who has been at the end of xc knows that the boots come off quickly, along with the tack and then water is applied promptly. Let’s not forget the legs (which cool much more quickly than the body). And this is also a reminder that maybe we should de-boot first and then grab the saddle etc.
Oh, and when I do gallop sets down the road from my farm, I take the boots off for the walk home, and carry them on the saddle.
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I understand the sentiment, but, having dealt with a lot of fractious, obnoxious horses who think they are freaking Godzilla after xc, I tend to leave their boots on until I can get their studs out. If they’re calm and easy going, then, yeah, boots can come right off (and I tend to pull boots as I’m undoing the girth, etc, just taking things off at each corner). Having had the epitome of fractious, obnoxious horses (looking at you, Toby) bang himself hard enough just walking to the pasture one morning, killing an entire fall season while he rested and healed, I am hyper vigilant about his legs when he is flinging feet…especially when there are sharp pointy bits attached to his feet. When he was younger and fitter, he wasn’t allowed to go hand graze at overnight events without boots on. Thankfully, most horses don’t match him in the obnoxious factor (and he’s slooooooowly growing out of some it, as he approaches his 14th birthday). As with everything in the horse world, all of this depends. A lot. You have to care for the horse in front of you and take their needs and particular proclivities into account, just as you have to ride the horse you’re on when training. Nothing is black and white with horses. Yes, it would be AMAZING if we could do everything according to the latest scientific evidence, and I am ALL FOR staying up to date and not being “back in MY day” fogie, but when it comes down to waiting 10 minutes to pull boots because your horse is studded and absolutely high as a kite with adrenaline and slicing a leg open is a real concern, you’re going to throw the science out the window.
That was ranty. I apologize!
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Thank you, Amanda. And let me add that I know of no studies showing a negative impact of heat to tendons and lameness. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist, just that I can’t find any.
Yes, please supply links to these studies that are being claimed in this thread.
After watching this video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsvS6gEBJuE I never ever rider without boots on my horse. Ever. Just look at the simple touch it took to blow the tendon when under a full load.
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My understanding is that boots and leg wraps of all descriptions don’t do much to “support” the leg, and therefore the horse is not going to be “weaker” without them.
Leg protection is obviously critical if you are going cross country over fixed jumps. Also if your horse tends to over reach and catch himself, especially if you have rear shoes on (my horse is barefoot and has a fairly short stride, so not an issue). And I never considered the risk of studs in the shoes, but ouch!! I would definitely see the need there.
I do see dressage riders that over boot, and have polos on just to go for a hack. I think a lot of people like the look, like dressing their horse up. People like gadgets and add-ons.
I am also curious about the effects of heat from boots on the leg, but I think the protection from trauma when jumping or going XC would outweigh the risk of heat, especially if you get them off quickly and hose down.
They do not support the leg, but the leg is weaker without in the form of protection from knocks. If you watch the video I shared, they show just how little it takes to hurt a leg when its under a full load.
Dressage riders boot like crazy because when they perform UL movements, there are legs that can land anywhere, a lot of mistepping can occur and it helps prevent injuries. I think dressage riders understand the risk, and take caution, even when hacking. Anything can happen when you ride, spooks, and falls. I wouldn’t want my horse galloping home bare legged!
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What kind of boot causes “loss of bend in the pastern?”
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Yes, I would be very interested to see this study. I cannot imagine how the boots I use cause any significant restriction of pastern bending. The majority of boots I am familiar with don’t get anywhere near the pastern. The closest would be polos and they are so flexible that I can’t really see how they would cause any impediment either.
Wow, that was fascinating - thanks for sharing. Indeed, the tendon when under load is surprisingly fragile!
I’m not sure if there is a study- there may be (I kinda feel like I saw one once)- but I know some people think that things like those horrible sports medicine boots, that wrap around/under the joint can restrict full extension, and I can see why. I knew a dressage trainer who hated them and felt like they hindered his clients’ horses’ movement. If you think about the bulk of those boots and how they fit, it does make sense.
I don’t think quality brushing boots do hinder movement, though, if they fit well (and some people are really bad at fitting boots), and even bulkier xc boots shouldn’t really, though I’ve had a few smaller horses with short cannons that seemed to jump tighter over show jumps without them. My very unscientific and anecdotal thought process was maybe they felt they couldn’t bend their knees as tightly.
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http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2015/02/24/boots-or-bandages-what-best
This is a good article that basically touches on everything that posters in this thread have mentioned.
The OP actually has it backwards though, they mention in the article that there can be increased flexion of the pastern due to tactile response, and decreased overextension by up to 1 degree of the fetlock by certain boots.
None of my boots touch the pastern, and none come close to attempting to “support” the fetlock. The only risk associated with my boots would be heat which has been thoroughly discussed.
I don’t think anyone out there truly believes that a boot will protect their horse from everything, they’re akin to shin guards in soccer, not a hockey goalies padding.
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Can you post links for the studies you are referencing? The ones I found looked at surface temperatures and only hypothesized that there is a link between temperature and tendon breakdown. Interested to see your citations.
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VERY interested in seeing her citations as well. :yes:
