Are We Overproecting Our Horses Legs
Shipping boots, support boots, sport boots, skid boots, splint boots, bell boots, sling boots…. Horses today have more leg wear options than Imelda Marco’s, but which ones are necessary? I’m Susan Allen, stay tuned on today’s American Rancher to find out. They come in the spectrum of colors; leopard, diamond plate, camo.. you name it, but new research suggests we would do well to “research” our protective boot purchases. For our “non horsey” listeners, boots made of neoprene or leather protect horses fragile legs during competition, turn out and shipping, kind of like soccer shin guards for humans. New studies from England suggests that some boots could actually be harming horses. Under simulated conditions; hitting fences jumping, over reaching (when a horse’s hind foot clips the front) and sudden impacts, certain boots and bandages actually increased damage. They found that many boots added needless weight, causing the horse uses more energy, and some heavier boots even effected stride especially when wet or dirty. Then there is the heat factor. A neoprene boot is like putting on a dive suit in the summer, and over heated legs can lead to tendon inflammation even cell death. The English group is pushing for a standardized testing and rating system that would offer medium, heavy weight or light protection options plus insulation rates, until then, research your manufacture and use good “horse” sense. I’m Susan Allen.
