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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
 
| Which in your opinion has the best support for the tendons? |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
  
Location: The best kept secret in TX | This has been discussed many times on here. Be prepared for lots of opinions lol
But, personally I prefer Bar F splint boots over SMBs. Mainly because I can run in mud in my Bar F's and just hose them off and them look brand new... I always have to run my SMBs through the washer or wash them in a bucket. Although I do use Polos when I just ride in the pasture.
I feel like it's personal preferance.  |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Science has proven polos provide no support to the fetlock joint. They also provide minimal tendon support and minimal protection against brushes/strikes. Now I don't hate polos, but I wouldn't use them for anything fast or demanding as boots provide much better protection.
ETA-The only reason I use sport boots at all rather than just plain ol' splint boots is I'm afraid my horse would whack himself on his fetlock or something that isn't covered by the splints. He's VERY accident prone.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2015-03-08 8:45 PM
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  Making the post season
Posts: 7288
Location: your guess is as good as mine | IMHO - there's no boot or wrap out there that takes the place of good old fashioned boot-free work. The only time I use polos or boots with "tendon support" is when they graduate to actually running. I use absolutely no boots if working a pattern slower than a gallop in the turns or working anything else at a gallop or slower. I use simple splint boots and bell boots when working a pattern where we're turning at a gallop. Now I will say that I NEVER work a pattern two days in a row either - they always get a rest day or simple pasture riding in between days with pattern work until they actually start competition. However when I do start using supportive leg protection it depends on the horse as to what I use...my old mare that retired 2 years ago (totally sound at age 27) I ran in polos because I could not find a single boot that fit her correctly. The mare I'm currently running...the SMB Elites fit like a glove so I plan on using boots on front & polos on the rear for the most part.
Now like one other response said - you will get a ton of differing opinions. This is just what I have done personally the last 29 years & it's worked for me, as I've never had one injure a leg during a run except the one time I ran without bell boots and the mare caught a front heel. A good friend doesn't believe in boots of any kind, and that's worked for her lol. You just gotta figure out what works for you and your horse...good luck! 
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1094
Location: Idahome | ghost rider - 2015-03-03 11:22 PM IMHO - there's no boot or wrap out there that takes the place of good old fashioned boot-free work. The only time I use polos or boots with "tendon support" is when they graduate to actually running. I use absolutely no boots if working a pattern slower than a gallop in the turns or working anything else at a gallop or slower. I use simple splint boots and bell boots when working a pattern where we're turning at a gallop. Now I will say that I NEVER work a pattern two days in a row either - they always get a rest day or simple pasture riding in between days with pattern work until they actually start competition. However when I do start using supportive leg protection it depends on the horse as to what I use...my old mare that retired 2 years ago (totally sound at age 27) I ran in polos because I could not find a single boot that fit her correctly. The mare I'm currently running...the SMB Elites fit like a glove so I plan on using boots on front & polos on the rear for the most part.
Now like one other response said - you will get a ton of differing opinions. This is just what I have done personally the last 29 years & it's worked for me, as I've never had one injure a leg during a run except the one time I ran without bell boots and the mare caught a front heel. A good friend doesn't believe in boots of any kind, and that's worked for her lol. You just gotta figure out what works for you and your horse...good luck!
This! The only time my horses wear boots is to make a competition run. I never put them on at home to do slow work or trail riding. IMO, it does help strengthen their tendons and ligaments. I will occassionally make runs at home at a high lope, not full on run, and still don't use boots. When I run, I have found that the RES boots work well for me. I don't like their bell boots and prefere the Classic Equine for that. I generally use boots on the front and polos on the back, but will use boots all the way around as well. It is all personal preference and what works best for that horse. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I prefer sport boots....only because I'm not coordinated enough to use polos |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | im with you guys i dont use them at home, but i do use them at jackpots and i use proffessional choice boots...i wont use polos as they other nothing but pretty colors and no protection (or very little) and no support
m |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | ghost rider - 2015-03-04 1:22 AM
IMHO - there's no boot or wrap out there that takes the place of good old fashioned boot-free work. The only time I use polos or boots with "tendon support" is when they graduate to actually running. I use absolutely no boots if working a pattern slower than a gallop in the turns or working anything else at a gallop or slower. I use simple splint boots and bell boots when working a pattern where we're turning at a gallop. Now I will say that I NEVER work a pattern two days in a row either - they always get a rest day or simple pasture riding in between days with pattern work until they actually start competition. However when I do start using supportive leg protection it depends on the horse as to what I use...my old mare that retired 2 years ago (totally sound at age 27) I ran in polos because I could not find a single boot that fit her correctly. The mare I'm currently running...the SMB Elites fit like a glove so I plan on using boots on front & polos on the rear for the most part.
Now like one other response said - you will get a ton of differing opinions. This is just what I have done personally the last 29 years & it's worked for me, as I've never had one injure a leg during a run except the one time I ran without bell boots and the mare caught a front heel. A good friend doesn't believe in boots of any kind, and that's worked for her lol. You just gotta figure out what works for you and your horse...good luck!
I was unaware of this and my vet was telling me the same thing! I use boots or polos when I'm trail riding(since my horses enjoy opening up in the fields) or doing fast work. I like polos, but i'm leaning more towards boots when doing fast work and racing after speaking with my vet about all this last year and I haven't been racing. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| Since I watched a pick up man do a front flip when his polo came undone, I use boots. If I did use polos, I would DARNED sure use tape to secure them. |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | They both provide protection from outside concussion and are fairly worthless in terms of support. |
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 I don't want to screw up!
Posts: 3881
Location: North Dakota -> Colorado | SC Wrangler - 2015-03-04 11:42 AM They both provide protection from outside concussion and are fairly worthless in terms of support.
Agreed, in terms of support for a leg you'd have to limit mobility of that limb which completely undermines the purpose of using the boots on a barrel horse. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| Boots for competition, polos (With lots of electrical tape) for exercise, I think having at least some protection is better then nothing, never know when they are gonna move wrong and hurt themselves. JMO! |
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I don't want to screw up!
Posts: 3881
Location: North Dakota -> Colorado | I am reading through the research model done in vivo for Polo, 2 sport boots, and control. Just thought I'd share what the findings were."The significant differences and trends observed in the asymptotic frequency suggest that the use of leg support increase the frequency components that contribute to the vibrations at the third metacarpus. This fact, coupled with the lack of significant results for peak deceleration, suggest that the leg support conditions used in this study do not attenuate shock with an in vivo model at impact. " "The results of this study suggest that use of leg support does not provide shock attenuation. The limbs of horses are subjected to peak deceleration magnitudes and high frequency components that exceed levels known to cause both chronic and traumatic injury. " Source:
Luhmann LM, Wickler SJ, Hoyt DF, Kobluck CN, Cogger EA: Evaluation of Shock Attenuation in the Forelimb of Horses Wearing Boots and Wraps. Equine Vet J 2000; 20; 8: pp503-510.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
| See I've always used boots but my farrier suggested that polo's might provide more support. So confusing??? |
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I don't want to screw up!
Posts: 3881
Location: North Dakota -> Colorado | purplemoon828 - 2015-03-05 11:24 AM
See I've always used boots but my farrier suggested that polo's might provide more support. So confusing???
I personally use polos because they conform better to fit my horses legs, keep the dirt and sand out better compared to the other boots I've used, and when I take them off my horse's legs are significantly cooler than the neoprene based boots. Honestly, it is personal preference and everyone will probably disagree. I will never use polos if m running in mud, recipe for disaster. Sorry for any errors, I'm typing this on my phone |
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I don't want to screw up!
Posts: 3881
Location: North Dakota -> Colorado | purplemoon828 - 2015-03-05 11:24 AM
See I've always used boots but my farrier suggested that polo's might provide more support. So confusing???
I personally use polos because they conform better to fit my horses legs, keep the dirt and sand out better compared to the other boots I've used, and when I take them off my horse's legs are significantly cooler than the neoprene based boots. Honestly, it is personal preference and everyone will probably disagree. I will never use polos if m running in mud, recipe for disaster. Sorry for any errors, I'm typing this on my phone |
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I am a Freak
Posts: 3326
Location: Nowhere Special | If you have any doubt use the boots! Unless you are EXTREMELY well educated in the art of using polos and KNOW how to wrap a leg then don't use them.. Of all the fads that have come and gone I hate this one the most because it has the opportunity to a lot more harm then good if you wrap a leg wrong just to look trendy.. (thats a general statement I know you asked about protection but I see soooooo many people using polos that have no business doing so)
I grew up with race horses, still have a lot of friends in the business. Between that and dealing with a ton of leg injuries I can wrap a leg with the best of them, I still won't even consider using polos over boots in competition. I also only use boots in competition and free leg for exercise with the exception of using bell boots. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I prefer polos, especially on the back legs. I use both though.
Like someone said above, only use wraps if you can put them on correctly and evenly. |
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 A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | TurnNBurn-3Barrels - 2015-03-04 12:57 PM
SC Wrangler - 2015-03-04 11:42 AM They both provide protection from outside concussion and are fairly worthless in terms of support.
Agreed, in terms of support for a leg you'd have to limit mobility of that limb which completely undermines the purpose of using the boots on a barrel horse.
I wish more people would realize this!!!!
Boots can actually hinder the movement of the leg in all actuality. Polos can also hinder movement if not wrapped correctly.
I like splint boots (NOT sport boots) personally for protection. I've used SMB but ONLY for running. They just hold so much heat and always get dirt in them. And they seem to hinder the natural movement of the fetlock.
I have a special case with my gelding. He has a knot on the side of one fetlock so I use polos. But only for running. I prefer the contour feel of the polos vs boots. And I've never had dirt get into my polos either.
Neither provide support. Period. No amount of neoprene or fleece is going to support that much force. The fetlock is specifically designed to absorb the shock of the impact. If you hinder the movement of it, you're hindering shock absorption ability.
It's called legging up for a reason. Letting the leg breathe and stretch and do its job will prevent more injuries than any boot would. In my opinion. I think boots and wraps are very overused.
Edited by hlynn 2015-03-07 10:47 AM
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 Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: texas | I personally use polos when im at the barn and doing slow work and at jackpots I use sportboots...BUT if you cant absoutley rap them the CORRECT way then don't use them at all due to the fact if you wrap them wrong at all or over lay the polo too many times and what not it can bow a tendon and or make them VERY sore and possiblt go lame. This is just my opinion:):):) goodlck tho:) |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I use iconoclasts and classic equines only when I'm at a barrel race. At home, I don't use leg boots or overreach boots. I like them to learn where to put their feet and i don't like all the heat on their legs.
And I honestly use them mostly for protection from them hitting themselves or heaven forbid we hit a barrel and it gets in our path.. would hate for the rim of a barrel to cut their legs. |
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Polo's or Boots????