Brushing Boots

Brushing boots or splint boots are used to protect a horse’s legs during exercise, protecting the lower leg from injury that may occur if one leg or hoof strikes the opposite leg. They are commonly seen on horses in fast work, such as jumping, when in training, such as when lungeing, or in competitions.

Brushing boots are usually used for all round protection against knocks and are generally fastened by velcro straps.Fasteners should always do up from front to back. Don’t fit them too high or they may rub the back of the knee or too low as they may then limit fetlock movement.

Speedicut Boots

These boots are similar to brushing boots but are fitted higher on the leg.Fetlock Boot. These boots are worn on the hind legs to protect the fetlocks from brushing. They are mainly used by show jumpers.

Over-Reach Boots

Over reach boots are bell-shaped and made of rubber and fit around the lower pastern. They are used on the front feet to prevent the horse from over reaching. Over reach boots are mainly used in jumping.

Hock Boot

Hock boots are commonly used to protect the horse’s hocks from damage when travelling as horses may lean on their hocks. The bottom strap of a hock boot is normally kept loose for ease of movement and the top strap fastens above the hock to hold the boot up.

Knee Boot

Knee boots are generally used for roadwork to prevent the knees from injury in the event of a fall. They can also be used for travelling in conjunction with bandages. Like hock boots the top strap holds the boot in place while the bottom strap is kept loose for ease of movement.

Coronet Boot

These boots are mainly used to prevent “tread” by other horses, particulally when playing polo or travelling. They are normally made of thick padding with a leather covering.

Polo Boots

These are made in a variety of shapes, usually larger than the normal boot and designed to provide protection against blows from sticks or polo balls and from brushing etc.

Sausage Boot

The sausage boot is also known as the anti-brushing ring and is fitted around the pastern area of the back leg. This boot protects against low knocks around the coronet and a fastening strap holds the boot in place. The boot should not be fitted too tightly as it needs to be able to move around but if it is fitted too loosely it may end up over the hoof.

Tendon Boot

These boots protect a horse’s tendons by preventing him striking the back of his front leg with a hind foot. They are often open fronted. Tendon boots are commonly used for show jumping. Don’t fit too tightly as this may put pressure on the cannon bone, but not too loose as they may slip.

Travel Boots

These boots help to prevent injury while travelling. Travel boots tend to be shaped to the front and hind horse’s legs. They are usually fastened by velcro straps. Again remember that the straps do up from the front to the back.

 

Brushing Boots