Do I NEED bell/splint boots??? I ride western.....?

Question

I do barrels/trail riding on my 6 yr. Quarab mare, and western pleasure/{some} jumping on my 10 yr. Hackney/Arab mare. I dont do 'hard' riding, but I do ride at least every week. Both mares are pregnant for spring/summer foals, do I need bell/splint boots? SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY PLEASE! I DONT HAVE TIME FOR SILLY THOUGHTS! THANX!

Answer 1

Well unless you hear a clicking noise (which is your horses back hooves hitting the back of her front legs) then they shouldn't need bell boots. (my mare too, is due for a foal in June) and if they do click use them to avoid bruising to her feet, and think about getting her feet trimmed shorter. A pregnant mare should not barrel race, this is too strenuous for a pregnant mare and could cause her to lose the baby. Continue trail riding and trail classes to keep her fit and healthy . I'd chill on the jumping too high or fast because this could jar the fetus and lose the baby or cause damage. light exercise only from now on, then stop after riding them altogether about a month til due date. as for splint boots, you should use them for extra support on your mares legs (both of them) as they are putting on weight. But I'd advise to put both mares on easy ground work and slow trail rides to avoid hurting the unborns

Answer 2

Honestly, probably not. You don't need bell boots unless the hit their front feet with their back feet a lot. And those cheap splint boots ($20 and under) don't help tendons at all. They only prevent interference. The only boot you might want to consider is a Sport Medicene Boot, they actually suport the tendons. I would reccomend these to anyone doing hard riding, jumping over 2'6" regulary or running barrels/poles/reining alot.
Personally, I think your horses are just fine bare legged.

Answer 3

Splint boots are designed to protect the splint bones, check ligaments, deep flexor tendons, upper suspensory ligament and fetlock area from injuries. The splint bone can break and fracture very easily. ( the splint bone is a splint-like metacarpal or metatarsal bone on either side of the cannon bone in the leg). I always use them when I jump! When doing barrels I would suggest using them also. There is always a possibility there for striking injuries.
As for bell boots Id only use them if your horse has an issue with over-reaching.
I use Professional Choice. They are defiantly good investment!

Answer 4

u dont really need them unless u ride them hard, and does not sound like u will be riding them much at all anyway since they are bred. after eight months in foal they should not be rode. could cause damage to the foals
even with boots(very good quaility) that does not mean it will protect the horse from injury. i was at a show once and a horse went round the pole and its leg snapped right in half. the bone went thew the sport boot. they had to put the horse down right there. and this horse and rider had competed hard for ten years

Answer 5

Cj, my advice is do not rush out and spend stressful earned money on some thing which you're uncertain you opt for or could placed on. i'm particular that at your 1st lesson you could placed on footwear. while you're needing some rather sturdy high quality boots at a great value I recommend Ebay. the quite a few greater advantageous boots which at the instant are not extravagant yet will postpone are Tony Lama, Justin, Nacona and those are purely some. are not getting something made up of unique epidermis follow a cowhide, goat cover ostrich is sturdy to. The unique are alluring yet you could merely destroy them using. are not getting ANY fat toddler"S they are very risky to journey in, the boot is cumbersome and your foot would desire to get hung up in a stirrup. despite you do come to a decision to purchase i'm hoping they make you DANCE. in case you opt for any further questions spoke back on cowboy boots you could e mail me playstation Ebay oftentimes will deliver day after today

Answer 6

I use classic Equine splint boots on my horses, better safe than sorry...once you have a splint, you can't take it back

Answer 7

Really depends upon the type of footing your'e riding on, whether they overreach, and how well their conformation is. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Suspensory/ tendon injuries suck.

Answer 8

The way I see it is its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to things like this. I would but thats just me.

Answer 9

If you horses are overstepping on themselves maybe so but if not I don't see why you need them