A guide to the various types of horse boots

Horse boots are used to protect the horse's legs whilst being ridden or while travelling. Many equestrian activities place heavy demands on the muscles and tendons in the horse's legs so boots are used to give extra support.

Boots can also be used to correct problems such as over reaching, cutting and brushing. There is a wide array of boots available to suit all equine disciplines, each providing protection to a different area of the horse's leg.

Brushing Boots
Also referred to as splint boots, these are for horses with the tendency to brush their legs together whilst being ridden. With strong 'strike pads' running up the inside of the boot to absorb the shock, brushing boots protect the legs from injury. The boot should start just below the knee and finish just below the fetlock or ankle joint. Leather boots are stronger than synthetic versions but must be cleaned regularly to maintain their condition.

Tendon boots
As the name suggests, these boots protect the horse's tendons which run down the back of the lower foreleg, so are normally open-fronted. They should sit high enough to protect the tendon and extend low enough to protect the fetlock joint. They have a thick pad sewn into the boot which can both correct over reaching and support weak tendons. They are also used in wet, muddy or extreme conditions when extra support is needed to protect the leg from injury. Open-fronted boots are normally favoured by show jumpers as they provide the protection needed whilst still allowing the horse to feel the poles of the jump.

Over reach boots
Some horses are prone to 'over reaching'. This occurs when the toe of the hind foot strikes into the heel or coronet of the front foot which can cause injury. The over reach boot prevents this by forming a protective shell over the front hooves. Non-fastening rubber overreach boots can be hard to get on but once in place, they will stay put. However, they can flip up which prevents them providing any protection.

Fetlock boots
Similar to the tendon boot, fetlock boots are designed to give specific protection to the vulnerable fetlock area. Fetlock boots are shorter than tendon boots and are normally only fitted to the back legs.

Cross Country Boots
These boots offer all round protection which is necessary for hard impact and demanding equestrian sports such as cross country. Also suitable for hunter trials, national hunt racing, team chasing, eventing and hunting, these boots support the cannon bone, tendon and fetlock as well as giving protection from brushing.

Travel boots
Travel boots offer protection from the knocks and bumps that can occur in the horsebox or trailer and are easier to put on and less time consuming then travel bandages. Travel boots are either made from simple square pads or from shaped boots which run from the coronet up to the knee and hock and so are much longer and more padded than other horse boots.