Splint Boots VS Sport Boots??? Needed for Trail riding???

[PaintedHearts]

We do a lot of trotting and cantering (when there is a good place), not just a slow trail walk. What's the differences between the boots? What would be better? Or are they even needed? :huh:

[Annie&Dixie]

From my understanding, splint boots are for protection only while sport boots add more support.

I do trotting and cantering too, I've only ever used my splint boots. :)

[pandorasmom]

I use the Support Boots on Pandora's rear legs when we do more trotting/cantering. It helps her DDFT issue.

[WashingtonBay]

My two cents... If you ride in mud and water they're a really bad idea. Going from wet to dry to wet again, mud, dirt, grime, clay, sand, sweat, build up under boots and can rub the hair right off. In fact, that's exactly what happened the last time I ever used them... When I peeled them off they took all the skin off with them. I think they're OK for an hour or so in the ring, jumping or running sports where they don't sweat in them all day. Unless there is some pressing reason to use them, i.e. the horse has a previous tendon lameness you think needs support or they have a habit of interfering and causing injuries that way, I don't think their pros outweigh the cons for trail.

[PaintedHearts]

From my understanding, splint boots are for protection only while sport boots add more support.

I do trotting and cantering too, I've only ever used my splint boots. :)

You mean protection like from getting hurt? And support like a brace? Sorry, dumb question.

[PaintedHearts]

WB...I was kind of wondering the same thing. Do you think it matters what kind you use that may be not as good as another kind? Material there made from?

[WashingtonBay]

Splint boots are primarily to protect the inside splint bones from strike injuries from their other foot. They don't offer tendon support.

Sport Medicine boots that go all the way under the fetlock joint do claim to offer more support to the tendons. They'd also protect from striking injuries.

Leather ones stretch when they get wet and fall down. So, to some degree do neoprene ones. The hard plastic SMB probably don't stretch as much.

[RipSpark]

I agree with WB, unless there is some underlying issue I would probably go without. SMB can get really heavy when wet. I run XC in splint boots and water is never an issue, but the horse is only in them for about 45min including warm up. Usually people do more harm then good when putting boots on horses. If they get wet or start slipping you are doing more damage then you probably would without them. Plus like WB said then they start rubbing, no fun! SMB boots are going to add more support to the horses legs and typically add a little more protection because they cover a bit more. Splint boots imo would probably be a better option for trail riding, but then again I have never used either on the trails so can't say for sure ;-) Just my experience with the two diff types in the ring and jumping. I have also had a lot more trouble with SMB slipping then splint boots, dunno maybe it is just the SMB I have lol

[WashingtonBay]

Good to know Ripspark, I have very little experience with the SMB, so I guess they slip too.

[PaintedHearts]

So splint boots are only to protect the leg from the other leg hitting it. We don't seem to have that problum. I was only thinking for support but I guess splint boots wouldn't be for that. By the sound of it right?

[WashingtonBay]

Yeah - the major cause of splints is the other foot striking it, particularly in hard running and turning sports, and jumping. So in splint boots you'll find the inside has a hard shield to protect the splint bones. I can imagine there might be some risk of interference in clambering up rocky places on trail, but most horses in that kind of setting do pretty well at staying out of their own way.

[PaintedHearts]

Yeah they seem to know their footing.

[mare]

Didn't Quest do a review of the literature on boots for college? It seems she found that they were actually detrimental in many situations. Hopefully, she'll come by and remind us.

[PaintedHearts]

I would love to hear. *YELLING*.... "QUEST!!!! We need your help." LOL

[ProvenPaint]

I remember quest's thread (on h.com if you dare to try)...if I remember right 1 of them offering up to 30% more support than going "naked"?

HOWEVER-I've used some on trails...and yeah, they slip, they collect dirt, chunks of tumbleweeds, STICKERS, & wear off hair...really I don't like using them. Reminds me of getting gravel in a tight sock or something *shudders* When I do use them it's in the arena so it's not for that long. I do have over-reach concerns with Pooh when gaming too so that would be another reason I use them. But just for trails...no. If the ground is hard you should keep it at walk anyways, imo. The spots where I would trot/lope would be good & grassy land/non-packed dirt.

[PaintedHearts]

Yeah we try to keep it soft for them. But when Angel has her Boas on she doesn't even seem to notice. But it sounds like I just don't really need them. Thanks everyone for the fast and great replies. :D

[Dakota Sunrise]

I use splint boots (pink ones, of course:p) on Beauty in the arena because we do a lot of turning and circling, etc. and it makes me feel better knowing she has a little bit of protection.

Dakota is never ridden without SMB boots (well actually his front boots are Equine Legacy, but they're pretty much the same thing) except when he is barefoot and I'm only riding him around the pasture for 5-10 minutes. Since he has dropped fetlocks (not sure the correct term for it) I want him to have the extra support that the SMB's provide. But the main reason is because he has a weird way of almost criss-crossing his back legs when he's trotting or loping, and when he has shoes on he'll actually cut the back of his fetlock with the opposit hoof. Don't ask me how he does it, but some how he does. I found out about his criss-cross way of moving right after I bought him, and he cut himself that way the first time I had shoes put on him (which was a few months after bringing him home). I totally freaked out at the time (welcome to horse ownership!:D :p) and, he's worn boots ever since.

He is my trail horse, and I've taken him on some pretty long rides (the record is probably around 7 hours), through all kinds of terrain. I've never had a problem with him losing the hair on his legs or having the boots rub. The worst that has ever happened is the time a skinny stick somehow slid up inside his boot when he was stepping over a branch. He just stopped and kind of lifted his leg up, I jumped off, got rid of the stick, checked for any cuts, etc (there wasn't any), and that was it. He was fine. The hardest part was getting back on since I was bareback!:p (And way out in the woods on a 4-wheeler trail so I couldn't just go get a bucket to stand on, lol.:rolleyes:)

[cloedoll]

I agree with WashingtonBay and it doesn't sound like your horse needs boots to me. I mean, if you're only cantering/trotting on suitable ground for just that, cantering/trotting, then I would say you don't have much to worry about as far as that goes.xD

[miatapony]

I also agree but i put them on all the starting horses when we first start breaking them to ride. and then only if i have a horse that over reaches then ill put them on the fronts. arena work fronts and rears go on no matter what but then they are on for just that amount of time before they come off then rinse the legs where they were . or when i turn out a horse that has been standing along time then i will boot them because they buck and play hard run fast and sometimes hits the fencesand i have both pro choice smb and i have alot of splint boots also.

[CrazyManda]

Sport boots do support a bit more than splint boots...splint boots only protect the legs. But sport boots have to be done correctly or they serve no purpose at all and can damage the leg. If your going to be going through brush, mud,etc...I'd get covers for the sport boots..they are a pain to clean up lol. For harder work, like barrel racing or very extensive, long trail rides, I'd use sport boots..and especially if there was already a reason to use them but otherwise I recommend splint boots.