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Regular
Posts: 90
Location: North Ga. Mountains | Tell me your thoughts & opinions on boots versus polo wraps as far as protecting legs. Thanks! |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
  
Location: North Dakota | On The Road Again - 2014-12-14 7:42 PM Tell me your thoughts & opinions on boots versus polo wraps as far as protecting legs. Thanks!
Polos have been scientifically proven to provide NO support to the joints. They also really don't provide much protection from rubs or dings, as they are just a few layers of fleece. They also can do damage if wrapped incorrectly. Now, I don't hate polos, they do have a time and a place but I would not run barrels in them. They will not protect your horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| And those boots provide suspensory protection??.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| I agree with cavyrunsbarrels 100%! Polos don't protect the leg very much. I gallop racehorses at a track for a living, and polos are used on every horse everyday for anything that doesn't involve high speeds. Polos are very dangerous at high speeds, if they were to come off. Also, if there is water on the surface, you can't use polos since they are fleece they just absorb all the water and become very heavy. Sport boots you can wear in any weather and surface condition. Also, the sport boots don't have as much give to them, so they keep the legs tight not allowing for improper flexation. But, for just messing around and not competing (if you know how to properly wrap polos) they do come in all color variations =] |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| Careyrunsbarrels you are cracking me up. So not true about polo wraps should you use them correctly |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| So based on what you last two ladies are saying we should not use any leg protection? Sounds like you don't think either are effective. Interesting and open to learning for sure:) |
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 Veteran
Posts: 215
Location: Oregon | I for one love polo wraps and use them on my 1d rodeo horses... Also galloped horses on the track and polos were all they used for galloping horses... They are much less bulky and fit the horses leg. Boots most time don't properly fit the horses leg therefore provide mo support. Plus they are much hotter in the summer, lastly boots let on a lot of dirt :-) Just my two cents
Edited by RaceN War Eagle 2014-12-14 10:03 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| Im with you on polos. Used properly they are hands down the least expensive and best support out there. Especially for suspensory! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| I personally am a fan of sport boots =] But, I also am very open minded and enjoy learning what everyone else does! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| Yes, I totally agree! Like I said...polos are used on every horse for jogging, galloping, and possibly going down the lane...but never for a work or race =] |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| I think they key is to wrapping them properly. I still have to re-wrap occasionally when I just don't have it right. Plus it is true that you do have to be cautious they won't come un-done |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| Just out of curiosity, do you wear all 4 polos when you run? =] Sorry for posting so much...just trying to learn from everyone! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| I do, but many just on the front. Just like many use boots only on front |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Texas Tornado - 2014-12-14 9:53 PM
And those boots provide suspensory protection??.
No they do not. They provide protection against bumps. Actually bell boots are necessary to protect from over reaching and pulling off a shoe. My horses don't over reach but never say never. If you want to protect against tendon and ligment injuries, make sure your horse is legged up and use correct prerace preparations. Rear boots or polos will protect the hind fetlocks from friction burns. No SMB's don't support much.
My mare has had a suspensory injury and yes she had on SMB's. After a lot of research, I found that getting the horse in good shape was the best preventative. I think the best thing that i learned at a recent clinic was prerace wrapping. That was spot on for me.
We all use electrical tape or duct tape to secure polos. You can get all kinds of decorative duct tape at Walmart
Edited by streakysox 2014-12-14 11:01 PM
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Texas Tornado - 2014-12-14 9:55 PM Careyrunsbarrels you are cracking me up. So not true about polo wraps should you use them correctly Show me one bit of scientific evidence that proves that polos provide one iota of suspensory support. I didn't just pull this out of my arse.
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/20331/boots-and-bandages-to-support-and-protect
http://theshowgroom.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/wrapping-polos-the-right-way/
http://ebarrelracing.com/forum/index.php?topic=26794.15;wap2
https://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/newsimages/thehorse_051410_1.pdf
I could go on...
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2014-12-14 11:59 PM
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | streakysox - 2014-12-14 10:57 PM Texas Tornado - 2014-12-14 9:53 PM And those boots provide suspensory protection??. No they do not. They provide protection against bumps. Actually bell boots are necessary to protect from over reaching and pulling off a shoe. My horses don't over reach but never say never. If you want to protect against tendon and ligment injuries, make sure your horse is legged up and use correct prerace preparations. Rear boots or polos will protect the hind fetlocks from friction burns. No SMB's don't support much. My mare has had a suspensory injury and yes she had on SMB's. After a lot of research, I found that getting the horse in good shape was the best preventative. I think the best thing that i learned at a recent clinic was prerace wrapping. That was spot on for me. We all use electrical tape or duct tape to secure polos. You can get all kinds of decorative duct tape at Walmart
ETA-for those of you who think polos protect against bumps, wrap one around your arm and hit it with a thick stick or jab a horse shoe into it. Then do the same with a boot. Guess what? It doesn't feel good. I've done it with a polo.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2014-12-15 2:03 PM
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  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | Polos don't provide support and neither do sport boots.
They offer the same amount of impact protection.
Splint boots offer the best impact protection as far as the cannon area goes.
I prefer polos. They are more form fitting to the leg and overall cheaper to use. And they hold a lot less heat.
I've seen SO many people not wrapping polos properly. Just about as many as I've seen with I'll fitting boots. There shouldn't be any gaps between the sport boot and the horses leg. Anywhere! If there is, buy new boots that fit!!! If you're finding dirt inside them, switch brands &/or sizes!!!!!! |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | Polo wraps and sport boots DO provide some suspensory support to the fetlock.
Yes they do. It is in the research. I'll dig up the old papers if anyone wants. Sport boots were shown to provide slightly more shock absorbtion than polo wraps.
However with that said ........ the amount of support they provide is in the single digits. Does 8% of support really help much for a 1,000 pound animal? Eh, probably not.
To answer the OP's originally question: I use boots on my horse's leg for the physical protection of them hitting or stepping on themselves. Boots are easier to replace than horse flesh. I myself prefer boots over polo wraps because they are easier for me to apply and I feel that they are "thicker" and protect better. But I don't use them for the purpose of support, because the amount they support is very minimal.
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | Boots and polos both offer decent protection from outside concussion which is often important. Beyond that they are about as effective as luck. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | It depends on what I'm doing and my horse as to which I will use. I really like the Relentless sports boots, very little bulk and great protection. I see polos used incorrectly every time I go to a barrel race, take a bit of time learning to really wrap properly. In the wrong hands, they can do a lot of damage. When I run in polos, I use electrical tape around the leg over the velcro to prevent them coming undone. I don't use polos in mud. I also don't use old polos, they get chunked when they begin to show wear or lose elasticity. Neither boots or polos are going to provide support. They will protect from hitting, but that's really about it.
2nd pet peeve, seeing horses with neoprene boots left on for hours. It's not healthy to put that much heat on a tendon. Polos are much cooler.
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 Ms. Elvis
Posts: 9606
Location: Running barrels or watching nascar | I use both as well as leather skid boots. |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | SC Wrangler - 2014-12-15 9:37 AM Boots and polos both offer decent protection from outside concussion which is often important. Beyond that they are about as effective as luck.
That's kind of how I feel. I use polos on three of my horses and skid boots on the 4th because he sets too hard and will burn through a pair of polos in just a few runs. I generally use the super thick polos on hind legs and moderately thick ones on the front, but I do keep a couple pairs of sport boots on hand for times when I'm rushed between horses and don't have time to wrap. |
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 Member
Posts: 19
| I love both. I put bells and splints on their front legs and polos on the back. To me, the front legs get more wear and tear and chance of their back legs clipping them.. the boots just offer more protection. Polos on the back keep good support (when wrapped correctly) and also add some fashion ;) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | I've mostly used boots BECAUSE I'm so bad at wrapping polos lol. I do know how they're supposed to be wrapped, it just takes me 35 minutes to get the fronts done and then, right when I'm feeling good and accomplished, admiring my work I remember there's still 2 to go! haha The times I have used polos I've also used bell boots just like with SMBs. I've asked around about this a little and watched ladies I really know are good horsewomen and riders to see what they use and I honestly see both. I se A LOT of boots on the front, wraps on the back; not sure how much research has been put into it on their part, just seems to be a preference around here.
I'm with the earlier posts 100% for whatever that's worth: a well-tuned, exercised horse is the absolute best injury preventative. (A good, caring, responsible rider helps with a lot of horse discomforts too ;)) |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-12-14 10:31 PM
On The Road Again - 2014-12-14 7:42 PM Tell me your thoughts & opinions on boots versus polo wraps as far as protecting legs. Thanks!
Polos have been scientifically proven to provide NO support to the joints. They also really don't provide much protection from rubs or dings, as they are just a few layers of fleece. They also can do damage if wrapped incorrectly. Now, I don't hate polos, they do have a time and a place but I would not run barrels in them. They will not protect your horse.
Ditto!
I've been laughed at by world class vets when I told them I wrapped with polos. They said , "You do realize those polo's your using were just made and marketed to barrel racers because they look pretty."
I didn't throw them out but traded most of my polos off. Iconoclast are the only boots I use based off of vet recommendation and they said even then its just about as rubbing liniment on a sore back, its only a precaution.
Remember most pro girls are pushing a product when they pick their leg protection. |
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | I don't know which is better, but it was a happy, happy day in the LaCombe Single Wide when I finally found and purchased the Pro Choice Fleur de Lis boots :)
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | From what I understand, polos aren't aupposed to go below the fetlock because it impedes their movement. Therefore it cannot provide support.
I use leather splint boots and bellboots but I also rope. So..... |
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