When horses train or compete, their legs or ankles can become injured. Horse boots are used to support the horse’s legs and make them less likely to become hurt. There are many differing kinds of horse boots available, and each one offers different benefits. The type of boot an owner chooses for their horse should depend upon on the kind of competition and the movement of the horse’s legs.

One of the commonest injuries affecting young horses are splint bone injuries. The splint bone is found on the front of a horse’s leg and is highly fragile. If a splint bone is broken or smashed, it will stop the pony from coaching or competing for many weeks. Owners often fit their horses for splint boots that they wear while training. Splint boots are usually made of neoprene and fasten around the horses leg with Velcro straps or metal buckles.

Easy boots are used to protect a horse’s hooves. Horse owners who don’t ordinarily ride or train their horses in mud or rough terrain often use easy boots as temporary protection. Easy boots are cheaper than metal horseshoes and can provide the same support for several uses. Pony owners may use easy boots only when taking their horses on trail rides or when loading or unloading a pony in rocky or rough terrain. Easy boots can be removed simply before the pony is put out to pasture.

Horses that have long strides while running may on occasions kick their front legs with their back legs. Bell boots are used to defend the horse’s front feet during running, training and competitions. They are little rubber boots that fit on the horse’s front hooves. They are typically tied or Velcroed into place. The boots absorb the blows of the horse’s back legs and stop the front legs and hooves from being hurt. Bell boots are essential if the horse wears metal shoes, as these can cause severe damage when they kick the front legs. They’re removed when the horse is put to pasture or is not running and training.

Anna Sola is an established article author publishing articles on a large variety of subjects including travel, sport and medical subjects.

Townend Online is an equestrian clothing store and tack shop for all competitive riders, as an example stocking horse boots and other specialist horse tack.