Splint boots vs sport boots....

I ride show jumpers. Unless my horse were injured and a vet told me otherwise I would stick with splint boots. To be honest, I don't "know" if there is a difference except in the price. I know people swear by them, but just my opinion. My horse is HARD on his boots, I buy the Toklat neoprene boots I love them. I like the idea of the fancy schmancy gel insert boots that mold to your horses leg, but I won't pay that money either. If you really want "support" I think polo wraps are your best bet, if you know how to put them on. Boots only do so much in my opinion.

Polo wraps basically serve three purposes -- 1) They look nice.  2) They do protect from brushing and light bangs.  3) They can keep the tendons warmer in cold weather.  That's about it.  There is zero support.

Lots of studies have been done to determine how much the various boots actually "support" the horse's legs.  Bottom line is that the Sports Medicine Boots came out on top, but even their level of actual "support" was marginal at best.  The structure of the horse's leg just does not lend well to support structures -- nor does it really require it.

I, personally, use Woof double lock velcro brushing boots on my horse.  This is in case he were to interfere during lateral work and that's about it.  He's shod all around, so I boot all around.  It would hurt if he whacked himself with a shoe.  I use polo wraps for clinics because it presents a pretty picture.

Basically, when chosing which method of protection to use on your horse's legs, you have to determine WHY you are using something in the first place.

( This is LuvMyKcDawg, I'm only posting under this name because I still can't log in since the forum switch!)

I've seen polos do more harm then good when wrapped with unequal pressure around the leg. Of course if they are wrapped with equal pressure all around the leg, then they can support the tendon. I love my neoprene splint boots but can't use them on all of the horses at work since some horses have a reaction to the neoprene (plus those things are easy to wash!) I've found that the Toklat and Woof Wear splints hold up the longest compared to other brands. Eskadron also makes open front boots with neoprene lining or fleece lining and those work well since they protect the area around the tendon. Those also hold up well but are a little harder to wash and are good when jumping since the hard shell protects the tendons from the cavalettis. That being said, I usually ride in the hard-shelled Eskies when jumping and in splint boots when flatting. I'm not a big believer on wrapping a horses legs for anything other then standing wraps.

 

Just stick with splint boots!! Sport medicine boots (like the SMB's) can do as much harm as polo wraps when put on wrong.  Also, when they get wet (just like polo wraps) they can bow the tendon. 

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