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Have you wondered about the differences in equine sport boots vs polo wraps? In my sport, cutting, it is common practice to wrap your horse’s legs during practice and while showing. In the show pen, you will see people using both polo wraps or some sort of equine sport boot.
What is the purpose of wrapping your horse’s legs anyway? And does it really do anything?
You might be surprised to learn that research shows that horse boots might not offer the protection we riders expect. There’s actually very little research about how boots and wraps actually affect your horse’s legs.
We do know that leg wraps do offer some protection against bumps and strikes from the horse’s other legs. The real debate seems to be centered around whether or not wraps and especially sport boots offer the support that is expected.
Whether it’s something we’ve learned from experience, from veterinary advice, or from reading about horse care, we all want to protect our horse’s legs. We know that using some sort of leg protection is common in many disciplines for all kinds of reasons.
Equine Sport Boots
There are lots of different types of sport boots in the equestrian world. For all types you want to keep the following key points in mind:
Size
Equine sport boots come in a variety of sizes. Most are available in small, medium and large sizes. A few manufacturers produce boots that are scaled to fit ponies and extra large horses. Most manufacturers provide sizing charts with their product packaging.
In general, the height, weight and breed of your horse in combination with the circumference of its leg, will provide you with approximate boot size to try on your horse.
A small horse with refined bones, like a large pony or Arabian, that weighs less than 1000 pounds will probably take a small.
Most Thoroughbreds of 16 hands or taller will require large size boots. Warmbloods and sport type horses may need a large or even extra large boot. Quarter Horses and other stock breeds standing anywhere from 15.to 15.3 hands, along with fine-boned and smaller Thoroughbreds will probably take a medium.
Many horses require a smaller size boot on their front legs and one size larger boot on their hind legs. Some manufactures make boots specifically for the front and hind legs.
Each manufacturer is different, so you will want to check the dimensions before ordering. You can often learn about the fit from online user reviews, too.
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Fit
It’s essential to get the right fit. Boots that are too tight can do more harm than good by constricting blood flow and causing pain. Boots that rub can cause sores and chafing and boots that slip can cause the horse to trip or interfere with movement.
You should be able to slide one finger between the protective boot and the horse’s leg. Your finger should feel snug between the two surfaces. If the boot is too big or too loose, dirt can get inside and cause abrasions. Or they can slide downward where it may disrupt the horse’s movement. If the boot is too tight, it can damage the horse’s tendons.
The length of a boot on your horse’s leg should be checked as well. You don’t want the boot to be so long that it rises to the back of a horse’s knee and interferes with normal movement. It should, however, be long enough to cover most of the cannon bone area as well as the inside of the fetlock.
Material
Most sport boots are now made of lightweight neoprene, which absorbs sweat and is unlikely to chafe. However, they can be hot.
Sheepskin-lined leather used to be the go-to for protective boots and is still the main material in some styles. They can be expensive and difficult to clean and may often be saved for competition.
Heavy-duty vinyl and gel-type plastic boots are also available in some boot styles. Some bell boots, which fit over the hooves, are made of rubber or ballistic vinyl. Some fabrics are perforated to aid circulation
Fasteners
Velcro tabs are common in neoprene boots and fabric leg wraps. Hook-and-loop fasteners with Velcro tabs are popular and provide an easy way to secure most boots.
Buckles are most often found on leather boots. Some boots incorporate elastic fasteners, and there are also stud closures and hook-and-eye fasteners.
Uses
Make sure the protective boot you buy is designed for the right task.
Brushing Boots or Splint Boots
Brushing Boots or Splint Boots are probably the most popular type of boot. These are used widely for everything from general riding to jumping.
Brushing Boots offer effective protection against injury around the horse’s cannon bone especially if one hoof tends to strike an opposite leg. Brushing boots can provide a supportive feeling for many horses, as well as reassurance for the rider.
If you have a horse that is still in the training and is still unbalanced or just getting used to carrying a rider, brushing boots are a good choice.
These boots are lightweight, durable and cost-effective for everyday use. They are often regarded as the most basic boot for most horse owners.
Pros:
- Brushing Boots or Splint Boots are usually inexpensive to moderate in price (although some high-tech models are can be pricey).
- Most are machine-washable, but require line drying.
- A wide selection of colors is available, and multiple hook-and-loop closures help keep boots in place on legs.
- Usually, a sturdy piece of material lines the side of the boot that lies against the inner part of the horses leg, This is designed to protect the inner cannon bone area from blows.
- Some brushing boots feature options such as elasticized straps and fleece (or sheepskin) linings for horse comfort and a little extra padding.
- Most boots today are constructed of synthetic materials; some high-end models are still made of the traditional leather and fasten with leather straps and buckles.
Cons:
- Quality and durability of these boots can vary widely.
- Riders generally doesn’t know how much heat is retained and protection afforded,
- The boot design might not protect the fetlock area.
- Selection of correct size is essential in ensuring a good, no-slip fit.
- Elasticized straps might be over-tightened by inexperienced users.
- Boots with a fleece or sheepskin lining require more care than unlined models. Leather models must be cleaned and conditioned like leather tack.
Tendon Boots or Open Front Boots
If you ride jumpers, then a Tendon or Open Fronted Boots may be a great choice for you. The Tendon Boot is only worn on the horse’s front legs.
The purpose of tendon boots is to protect the tendon from strikes that occur when the hind hooves extends forward such as when cantering or on landing a jump. They are popular among jumpers since the open front helps the horse feel a pole if he strikes it with his foreleg.
Tendon boots often have a hard molded plastic outer shell but may also be made of leather or other material and should be placed high enough to protect the horse’s tendon to offer protection but not so high as to affect the horse’s ability to flex their knees. They should extend low enough to protect the fetlock joint.
Tendon boots should have a soft lining to prevent any soreness fit the horse comfortably to avoid any rubbing.
There are tendon boots available with fleece or sheepskin lining for extra comfort and these linings may be removable for easy cleaning. Tendon boots will inevitably get dirty and so it is important that they can be easily and regularly cleaned.
Pros:
- This specialized design protects a horse’s legs from interference, while providing for “sensory feedback” on the fronts of the forelegs if he hits a rail.
- Most are machine-washable, but require line drying.
- The open design allows additional air flow.
Cons:
- The lack of 360-degree leg protection makes this design unsuitable for most other disciplines or for turnout.
Fetlock/Ankle Boots
Fetlock boots are used to protect the fetlocks on the hind legs from injuries. This can occur when the horse’s lower leg from the opposite leg or hoof brushes against or strikes it. Fetlock boots can be used with tendon boots. They are also open in the front.
Injuries of this type are commonly due to the conformation of the horse. Most occur on horses whose hooves swing inward. Brushing injuries can also occur in young or tired horses, or from working on uneven ground. These injuries can be severe particularly if the horse is shod.
Fetlock boots often have a hard molded plastic outer shell but may also be made of leather or other material. Leather fetlock boots tend to have straps and buckles to fasten them, but synthetic fetlock boots are usually fixed with several Velcro fastenings which fasten around the horse’s leg or which pass through a ring and fasten back on themselves.
Some fetlock boots have double Velcro straps that overlap and these are more secure than single Velcro straps. Fetlock boots with Velcro fastenings make putting on and taking the boots off quick and easy, and are more adjustable than straps and buckles.
Fetlock boots should have a soft lining to prevent any soreness fit the horse comfortably to avoid any rubbing. They are available with fleece or sheepskin lining for extra comfort and these linings may be removable for easy cleaning.
They will inevitably get dirty and so it is important that they can be easily and regularly cleaned.
Pros:
- These short boots cover only the indicated area, thereby minimizing heat buildup on horse’s legs
- They are a good choice when the user doesn’t want to cover the leg all the way up to the top of the cannon.
- Most are machine-washable, but require line drying.
Cons:
- These are less widely used than other boot types so color choices and other options might be limited.
Bell Boots or Overreach Boots
Bell boots are used when a horse has a tendency of overstepping or overreaching. This action can cause him to catch the back of his front hoof or coronet band and cut or bruise himself.
This is the area struck most by the rear hooves, so these boots are often used in conjunction with brushing boots. They’re only used on the front hooves except in extreme situations where injury could be caused by another horse
They are also used to prevent the horse from pulling a shoe off along with part of the hoof. Horses that have studs on their shoes also benefit from the use of bell boots so that the studs do not injure the horse if he catches himself.
Bell boots can also be used during turnout, hauling or when being ridden.
There are generally two types of bell boots that most people use, the “no turn” variety, which is shaped to fit around the hoof without “turning” or moving when secured and fit around and underneath the fetlock and Velcro in place.
The other variety, which are typically made of rubber and pull on over the horse’s front hooves or are fastened around the pastern to protect the coronary band and the heel bulb. These will move and spin as the horse moves.
Proper fit means that the rider can put two fingers between the bell boot and the pastern at the top opening, and they should cover the heel bulbs. Some people prefer the “no turn” boots, because the regular ones tend to be more prone to rubbing and chaffing the skin beneath the fetlock. .
Some vinyl boots are padded, and you can find some to match your brushing boots for a streamlined look.
Skid Boots
Skid Boots are designed to protect the fetlock when a horse comes to a sliding stop, such as in barrel racing or reining. These boots are made of a tough vinyl or leather piece that covers the fetlock and is fastened at the front with buckles or Velcro.
Skid boots protect the lower legs, fetlock joint, and pasterns.
There are also many “all-in-one” boots on the market, which combine a sports medicine boot with a hard plastic protective shell at the fetlock. Personally, I have found that for my purposes, a set of hind leg Iconoclast sports boots work quite well, as do polo wraps when properly fitted.
Sports Medicine Boots
When it comes to all around protection and support, the sports medicine boot is a popular option. These are similar to brushing boots except they run longer on the leg to secure and support the suspensory ligament.
These boots can be used during exercise to protect the muscles and tendons, as well as the pastern and fetlock. They are usually made of a neoprene material and are shaped to fit the horse’s leg.
In the June 2006 issue of the Barrel Horse News they stated “Applied correctly, neoprene support boots conform to horse’s legs, absorb shock and help the lower leg’s soft tissues remain elastic – all helping to prevent injury”. They added ” that support comes from the neoprene’s ability to transfer energy, absorb shock and help the lower leg’s soft tissues maintain elasticity. This reduces fatigue, which helps prevent injuries, even in an event that lasts merely seconds”.
About the heat, they stated “To prevent excessive heat buildup many manufacturers advise taking off the boots when they’re not needed.”
Pros:
- They are relatively easy to put on, are affordable, easily cleaned and work well for most moderate to heavy work-out programs in just about all disciplines.
- These boots offer protection from the top of the cannon to below the fetlock, which makes them popular for use in high-intensity activities (jumping, reining, barrel racing, etc.)
- While providing support, they also protect from brushing, making them a step above polo wraps in terms of protection.
- The fetlock-sling straps found on many boots of this design can offer some support to this joint.
- Velcro straps hold the boots tight, and they are flexible enough to be comfortable for most uses
- Most are machine washable, but must be line dried.
- These boots are generally available in a wide range of colors.
Cons:
- Manufactures of these boots claim that the boot provides some level of support for the tendons and suspensory ligaments due to an underslung cradle portion that actually cups the boot beneath the fetlock. However, the effectiveness of that support is still under quite a bit of debate.
- According to researchers, there is insufficient data on heat retention and protection.
- Application is somewhat more exacting than some boot types, due to the sling strap, and an inexperienced user might need to practice applying the boots under the supervision of someone more experienced.
- Some designs tend to trap dirt and sand between the boot and the leg especially if they are not applied properly.
- Many of these boots’ designs are such that the exterior surface is the “loop” type of material for securing the hook-and-loop straps, meaning that it catches and holds burrs, seeds, and other debris, making cleaning after a hack through a field a potentially tedious chore.
- Sports medicine boots can become quite “hot” during a workout. The neoprene does not allow the leg to breath at all, causing the heat to build up on the leg. You will want to remove the boots right after the workout.
Tips for Putting on Sports Boots:
- When fastening horse boots, be sure to use even pressure on each strap as you work your way down the leg. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for your type of boots, and be careful not to over-tighten them.
- Be sure to remove any of these boots from your horse’s legs as soon as possible after your workout to allow any accumulated heat to escape and to allow the skin and hair to dry.
- Keep the boots clean and free of accumulated dirt, grime, and sweat, which can be irritating to a horse’s sensitive skin.
Sports Medicine Boots are the my choice of boot for both practice and showing. My personal choice of is the Iconoclast Orthopedic Support Boot. I have a pair for both the front and rear legs, however, I tend to just wrap the front legs during a horse show.
These boots designed a bit more complicated than most sport boots and can be a little intimidating to put on. I demonstrate in the video below how to put them on your horse:
The Iconoclast Sport Boots seem to provide the best support for the strenuous sport of cutting, and protect the legs during difficult maneuvers such as hard stops, backing, deep turns, jumps and long full strides. They don’t seem to be bulky as to get in the way during loping and warm up.
These boots have a double sling under the fetlocks. The claim is that this double sling system actually cradles the joint and reduces stress on tendons and ligaments. These boots are very popular in cutting, reined cow horse, barrel racing, and even in some of the more strenuous English divisions
Polo Wraps
Polo wraps remain one of the more popular choices of leg wraps for the show pen when it comes to many disciplines including cutting and reining. This is likely due mainly to aesthetics. A fresh pair of white polo wraps on a reining or cutting horse is just visually appealing.
Polo wraps are made from a long piece of fleece like material with Velcro for attachment to the leg. This is definitely not the most user friendly method for protecting the legs, but in most cases, it is quite effective.
The most important thing to know about polo wraps is the proper way to apply them. They must be applied so that you are wrapping toward the inside and back of the horse’s legs, which supports the natural position of the tendons, and a constant pressure must be maintained. Applying polo wraps incorrectly can damage the horse’s leg.
Although they are actually the most popular form of leg protection, overall, polo wraps do not actually offer a lot of support in way of cradling the flexor tendons or suspensory ligaments. Their main benefit is from brushing, which can happen when a horse’s legs come in contact with each other, i.e. during spins, lateral maneuvers, cross-overs, etc.
If you would like to see a demonstration of the proper way to put on a polo wrap, check out this this video:. How to put on a Polo Wrap
Pros:
- Polo Wraps are inexpensive. It’s easy to own many pairs so that they can be changed often during a show.
- Most can be machine-washed and dried.
- Correct wrapping produces a custom fit.
- Polo wraps are lightweight and don’t interfere with your horse’s motion
- Polo wraps allow the horses leg to breath while they are on
- Dirt stays on the outside layers of the wrap and never gets against their legs.
- They’re made of breathable, washable materials, and most have easy-to-use hook-and-loop closures.
- They are available in a rainbow of colors and patterns; white, the traditional dressage color, creates an even focal point on each leg, making visual assessment of a horse’s movement easier.
Cons:
- Learning proper wrapping technique is a skill that takes time to learn and perfect
- Polo wraps can be wrapped either too tightly (damaging soft tissues) or loosely (leading to dangerous slippage).
- Fleece material traps burrs and other debris
- Single closure is not sufficiently secure for high-intensity workouts, such as eventing cross-country, and these are not suitable for turnout be-cause bandages can unroll, frightening the horse, catching on objects, or both. Cutters will wrap a strip of black electrical tap at the top of the wrap to increase security.
- The wrap material is highly absorbent, making polos a poor choice when water (or, simply, moisture on grass) is involved.
- Applying and removing bandages requires squatting next to horse’s legs for a prolonged period of time, which can be dicey around a kicker, a horse that is prone to spooking, or in busy and crowded environments, such as a horse show warm-up ring.
- Many riders choose polo wraps over boots since they conform to the leg, however, if they become wet, they become really heavy for the horse.
Conclusion
When it comes to leg protection for our horses, about the only thing that most riders can agree on is the need for protection to begin with. There are hundreds of products on the market designed specifically to protect what is one of the most important (and fragile) parts of the horse, their legs. But choosing what is best for you and your horse can be a challenging task.
Some people swear by polo wraps, while others are keen on sports medicine boots…the truth is that each method has benefits and drawbacks.
A horse’s legs are delicate. Competition and pleasure riding can put added strain on them. Aside from carrying the extra weight of the rider, there’s also the added strain from competing in sports such as jumping, cutting, reining, barrel racing, etc.
For a long time, polo wraps were used exclusively to help safeguard horse’s legs. And while many people still use them, they are time-consuming to put on and take a lot of skill to do it correctly. To make life easier, protective boots that fit on a horse’s front and rear legs are a convenient way to help prevent injuries.
What is your preference? Do you use some sort of sport boot or polo wraps? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you found this article helpful! If you are thinking about buying your next equine partner, then you will want to get my free Dream Horse Buyer’s Guide. It will help you narrow your search and find the next horse of your dreams!
Enjoy the Ride!