|
|
  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
   
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | Because I'm bored, another two weeks of no riding. I'm curious.....what kind of leg gear do you use when competing? And a second part of the question, do you use leg gear every time you ride or just when you run? |
|
| |
|
 A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | I use bell boots every ride on every horse. I use Splint boots (NOT sport boots) at home because the two I ride have front shoes. If they didn't have front shoes, I would leave them completely naked.
I use polos here and there, depending on my laziness that day. I've been using them just to get my wrapping skills better.
I can't use sport boots on my gelding bc of a calcium deposit. The mare I ride does get boots when she does pattern work or runs. I really like the SMB Elites or the RES sport boots. The CE are just WAY too bulky for my taste. Good concept, bad execution.
Legging up at home should use the minimal amount of leg gear possible, in my opinion. Unless you're doing hard pattern work, they should be naked or just have a set of splints on.
And I don't boot or wrap the rear.
No amount of fleece or neoprene is going to offer a 1200lb animal support. So I just boot/wrap for protection and nothing else.
Edited by hlynn 2014-03-24 5:01 PM
|
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Only when I do barrel work |
|
| |
|
 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I use Classic Equine leg boots and bells. Here at home while riding we always use bells, if we're working the pattern we use all leg wear and of course when competing we use all leg wear. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | I use only polos (all the way around) & bells on my mares. I've tried sport boots and they just never seem to fit right to me and just seem uncomfortable. I prefer the custom fit of the polos and the fact that they don't seem to hold heat or dirt like the boots do.
I put polos & bells on no matter what we are doing, whether it's lunging, simple flatwork, or barrel work. I want my horses legs & feet protected at all times while working as it only takes one bad step or bump. |
|
| |
|
More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | TACKyPaints - 2014-03-24 7:13 PM I use only polos (all the way around) & bells on my mares. I've tried sport boots and they just never seem to fit right to me and just seem uncomfortable. I prefer the custom fit of the polos and the fact that they don't seem to hold heat or dirt like the boots do.
I put polos & bells on no matter what we are doing, whether it's lunging, simple flatwork, or barrel work. I want my horses legs & feet protected at all times while working as it only takes one bad step or bump.
I totally respect your decision to put them on at all times but I've had more injuries while they are out in the pasture than while running. I have a gelding that hurt his suspensory last Sept while playing in the pasture. He's still not ready to ride. I've never had an injury while running. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | :) My motto is "Better safe than sorry." I guess I feel that I'd rather have the protection on them "just in case" than be kicking myself for not having them on and it could have prevented something.
Not that it protects from tendon/ligament injuries, but my girls always get turned out in bells & splint boots. My one mare wasn't able to be ridden for a month this past summer because I turned her out, she got to acting like a fool, and hit her own leg with the other foot (that had a shoe). She's super thin skinned and split the skin open on the inside of her right leg and had a big popped splint there. I know that anything can happen, especially when they are just being horses, but I figure I'll try and take any preventative measures that I can. I don't judge anyone for how or how they don't boot up their horses, what I do is just my own little routine.  |
|
| |
|
 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | I have the original iconoclasts and love them. I only boot up when I do work. So barrel work at more than a trot or any drilling like hard stopping or rollbacks etc. Honestly I rarely use them but I show once a month so that's about it. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| I also boot up when doing almost any kind of work, but only sports boots when making a run. I also use splints/bells/polos rather than sports boots at home. I am the polo wrapping nazi, so usually I wrap everything in them just to keep my "skills" up. LOL |
|
| |
|
 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
|
I use professionals choice and classic equine. I start using leg protection when I start practicing barrels faster than a trot. When they get their shoes on, I almost always use bell boots.
My horses have all 4 legs protected.
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| SMB 3's in the front with bell boots, and polos in the back when we are competing. Bell boots at every ride. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 667
| Bell boots every time I ride.
Classic equine on the front and polos on the back anytime we compete... roping or barrels.. |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| TACKyPaints - 2014-03-24 7:22 PM
:) My motto is "Better safe than sorry." I guess I feel that I'd rather have the protection on them "just in case" than be kicking myself for not having them on and it could have prevented something.
Not that it protects from tendon/ligament injuries, but my girls always get turned out in bells & splint boots. My one mare wasn't able to be ridden for a month this past summer because I turned her out, she got to acting like a fool, and hit her own leg with the other foot (that had a shoe). She's super thin skinned and split the skin open on the inside of her right leg and had a big popped splint there. I know that anything can happen, especially when they are just being horses, but I figure I'll try and take any preventative measures that I can. I don't judge anyone for how or how they don't boot up their horses, what I do is just my own little routine.
You do know that any leg protection can cause heat even bell boots, which isn't necessarily good.
|
|
| |
|
 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | I only use Classic Equine Legacy boots and bells when I run. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | Yes I am aware of that. However, I have found that my polos hold less heat than the neoprene of sport boots. Once I am done riding/running, polos and bells are removed immediately. Like I said, I dont judge anybody for the way they boot or dont boot up their horses. This is just the product & process I have found works for me and my horses. Unlike some, my horses are not able to be turned out 24/7 in a paddock or big pasture. I am only able to turn them out for a couple hours and let them stretch their legs for awhile. So when they go out, they have splint boots on and pull on rubber bells to protect their legs/feet for the short time they are out. Not telling or suggesting my process to anybody, just sharing what works for me. |
|
| |
|
 Living within my means
Posts: 5128
Location: Randolph, Utah | I have prof choice, iconoclast, CE, relentless and polo wraps in my trailer.
I like the CE's my old horse couldn't tear them up, he could go through prof choice in a couple is runs. I do like prof choice on my mare. One horse likes polo wraps on his hinds. You can't warm him up in boots he kicks but polo wraps he is fine. I use polos on the hind more than the front.
I love my iconoclast, and I really like the relentless as well.
Right now I am riding through the fields and they don't get any leg gear. It's dry now but when I first started riding it was to wet for boots. At the arena I usually use bell boots only. If I'm working fast or a young horse I'll full boot but mostly just bell boots. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| I use Pegasus front boots and bell boots at home every time I ride. My horse is super accident prone so I boot up everytime. I use pro choice when I run. Front boots only, he doesnt like back boots and he acts like theres extra 100 pounds on the hind if I use anything. I use the Pegasus at home because I want to preserve the Pro choice boots. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| I have a lot of different brands, I usually use the SMBs with a seperate bell or combos when running.
When I am just riding, I don't use anything. If I have one that is prone to over reach, I will throw on some bells for every ride. |
|
| |
|
 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| I don't put anything on for daily riding. For runs, it depends on the horse what kind of leg gear they get, if any. My mare gets bell boots and Elites on the front only, and my gelding gets bell boots and Elites on the back only. I have a young horse that I'm not using anything on at the moment. I've had horses that I'll boot up all the way around, and others that get bells only. I put the boots on shortly prior to a run, and pull them immediately after a run.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | Lynn Palm has a great youtube video on this subject but I can't get the link to copy here. Just google and you should be able to find it. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 185
| I use the pro choice ventech elites on all fours when competing/running or when praticing runs or hard maneuvers. If I'm just out for a ride, keeping them fit and not doing any hard turns, stops...I don't wear them. |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | For daily riding, I typically do not put anything on their legs.
For barrel work, they get Professional's Choice SMB 3 boots on all 4 legs and Classic Equine Dyno-Turn Bell Boots on the front legs. The boots never get left on longer than 2 hours when I am at all-day gaming shows. I make sure to give those legs time to breathe because the neoprene holds heat. At a jackpot, they only get put on right before a run and taken off right after. |
|
| |
|
Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I'm always torn on just how much support boots actually offer. I haven't found any I like. Most of them are too bulky, too hot, let too much dirt in, seem to actually impede movements. I love my polos.
I'm trying to come up with a plan for my good horse. I use polos on all four. He will kick himself up high in the rear and I fear that even though the polos protect him from breaking the skin, they don't offer enough cushion for when he does it. |
|
| |
|
 Go For It!
Location: Texas | I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;)
I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear.
|
|
| |
|
Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:07 PM I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;) I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear.
Becuase no polos, he breaks the skin and bleeds. Polos on, he doens't break the skin and bleed. So it helps. And they also help for horses that run down. It's all personal preference is all. |
|
| |
|
Go For It!
Location: Texas | missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:10 PM
grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:07 PM I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;) I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear.
Becuase no polos, he breaks the skin and bleeds. Polos on, he doens't break the skin and bleed. So it helps. And they also help for horses that run down. It's all personal preference is all.
Does he get those little "speed cuts" on the inside of his rear cannon bones when he runs?
|
|
| |
|
Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:15 PM missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:10 PM grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:07 PM I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;) I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear. Becuase no polos, he breaks the skin and bleeds. Polos on, he doens't break the skin and bleed. So it helps. And they also help for horses that run down. It's all personal preference is all. Does he get those little "speed cuts" on the inside of his rear cannon bones when he runs?
I've never heard of them called that, but he will kick himself and have blood running down his legs coming out of the arena. The marks are usually up high and not down low, on the inside. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | My vet advised me on proper wrapping using polo wraps. When done correctly they do offer more tendon support than sport boots. Very very few people actually apply them correctly. You may cause more harm than protection if not wrapping correctly.
I like classic equine support boots and over reach boots. They offer the most support and are very easy to apply correctly. Their over reach boots do not cause burns on any of my horses.
I always use over reach boots no matter what I am doing. I only use protective support boots when working fast or making a run. I put on about 10 to 20 runners before my run. I take off immediately after running so that my horses legs cool down ASAP. Heat also causes damage to tendons.
Talk with your vet. They can explain how the leg works during performance and advise you on what is best for your horse based on conformation conditions and all the variables that go into leg protection. |
|
| |
|
A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:55 PM
I'm always torn on just how much support boots actually offer. I haven't found any I like. Most of them are too bulky, too hot, let too much dirt in, seem to actually impede movements. I love my polos.
I'm trying to come up with a plan for my good horse. I use polos on all four. He will kick himself up high in the rear and I fear that even though the polos protect him from breaking the skin, they don't offer enough cushion for when he does it.
Try SPLINT boots. They're not bulky. Not hot. And provide legit protection. They are what I use at home and when the arena is nasty. I'm going to try polos this season. I finally found some that fit my short cannon horse.
These are the exact boots I use:: http://www.resboot.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=5
They're actually on clearance right now. RES is awesome. You can choose whatever color straps you want (Or even order custom vinyl design ones from certain dealers) since the velcro straps are replaceable. LOVE them.
Here's an action shot of how they look on the horse.
 (aaabc.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 aaabc.jpg (94KB - 255 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
 Shoot Yeah
Posts: 4273
Location: Where you need a paddle... Oregon! | I only boot for competitions and our serious practicing.
I have a few sets of CE and I don't like how they fit. I use them to try to wear them out. I use them at practices.
For competition I prefer the Elites.
I bought a set of polo wraps but haven't used them yet. My good mare doesn't like rear boots so I thought I would try wrapping her backs instead.
My husband got the RES boots and I like them a lot on his gelding. I really, really like their bell boots. We've won a couple pair and I prefer them over all our others. |
|
| |
|
Go For It!
Location: Texas | missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:25 PM
grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:15 PM missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:10 PM grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:07 PM I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;) I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear. Becuase no polos, he breaks the skin and bleeds. Polos on, he doens't break the skin and bleed. So it helps. And they also help for horses that run down. It's all personal preference is all. Does he get those little "speed cuts" on the inside of his rear cannon bones when he runs?
I had a super nice mare many years ago that was all cow bred. She did that almost every time I made a run on her. She wasn't the fastest horse in the pen, but she would eat up those barrels. She was a turning machine. But she would always get those speed cuts.
I started buying those big rolls of cotton and padding the inside of her cannon bones and then wrapping them with polos. She always did it up high too. I would just save the cotton and reuse it the next time - it would be form fitting, lol.
|
|
| |
|
Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:50 PM missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:25 PM grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:15 PM missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:10 PM grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:07 PM I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;) I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear. Becuase no polos, he breaks the skin and bleeds. Polos on, he doens't break the skin and bleed. So it helps. And they also help for horses that run down. It's all personal preference is all. Does he get those little "speed cuts" on the inside of his rear cannon bones when he runs? I had a super nice mare many years ago that was all cow bred. She did that almost every time I made a run on her. She wasn't the fastest horse in the pen, but she would eat up those barrels. She was a turning machine. But she would always get those speed cuts. I started buying those big rolls of cotton and padding the inside of her cannon bones and then wrapping them with polos. She always did it up high too. I would just save the cotton and reuse it the next time - it would be form fitting, lol.
That's exactly what I have been thinking of doing. He's just so carn athletic. We used to call him Gumby because he can makes moves with his legs that just seem unatural :) He used to make a few runs where he turned the barrels on the wrong lead and you couldn't even fell it. He quit doing that when he started getting faster though |
|
| |
|
 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | When dealing with a tendon injury my vet told me split boots are better for everyday work to strengthen otherwise the soft tissue depends on that extra support . So daily work I use bells or splits. Running usually polos and bells, depends on the horse |
|
| |
|
 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Mine get bell boots on every time we ride. I don't boot or wrap unless I'm going to do some serious fast work which is really rare for me.
When I run, I use polos all the way around on Chance, Clifford and Streak. Joker sets too hard for polos on the back so I use Professionals Choice neoprene skid boots on there and polos on the front.
I like polos because they aren't as hot as boots and they fit closer so I don't get so much dirt in them. I don't usually wrap my horses' legs until I'm ready to get on and start warming up and I pull wraps as soon as I get back to the trailer. |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 237
Location: Ava, Missouri | I ride my gelding in Classic Equine sport boots and Dyno-Turn bell boots during competition. After every run he makes, I take them off to let his legs cool and if there is any dirt (usually not much, if any) I brush them off of the boots/legs.
When working at home, I don't usually put much on them, usually just bell boots or some splint/skid boots, depending on what we are doing. If we work more though, I usually put my sport boots on him.
I ride my pony in the same, except I use polo wraps on the hind legs, just because he is hard to fit.
I like sport boots better than polo wraps, since I feel they give them more support during the runs and turns that they make. Polo wraps do have more protection, but not enough support. Just my opinion, though.  |
|
| |
|
 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I use Iconoclast.
I put them on for runs only. Dry work and trail riding I will on put bells on only. |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 223
Location: Idaho | missroselee - 2014-03-25 6:25 PM
grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:15 PM missroselee - 2014-03-25 8:10 PM grinandbareit - 2014-03-25 9:07 PM I run my horses in bell boots and splint boots on the front only. If I'm just exercising them then I won't put anything on them. But they aren't shod either. I just can't see how polos can offer any actual protection. Double wrap a polo on your shin and hit a barrel, let me know if it helps absorb any of that impact. ;) I don't use the big boots because they just seem too bulky to me. They are hot and look uncomfortable. If I have a butt dragger and I'm running on hard ground, I'll use skid boots on the back. Otherwise I won't put anything on the rear. Becuase no polos, he breaks the skin and bleeds. Polos on, he doens't break the skin and bleed. So it helps. And they also help for horses that run down. It's all personal preference is all. Does he get those little "speed cuts" on the inside of his rear cannon bones when he runs?
Race horse supply stores sell patches to protect from speed cuts. Speed cuts are tough because they are usually above regular sport boots. Polos do seem to help some. Thankfully for me, my gelding usually only does it when breezing. |
|
| |