What Are Splint Boots Used For On Horses

Brushing boots or splint boots are used to protect a horse s legs during exercise protecting the lower leg from injury that may occur if one leg or hoof strikes the opposite leg.

What are splint boots used for on horses. Splint boots ideal for horses engaged in high intensity disciplines such as reigning jumping and eventing splint boots provide protection to the inside of the cannon bone and fetlock joint with a reinforced inner strike area while also offering significant tendon support. They are commonly seen on horses in fast work such as jumping when in training such as when longeing or in competitions such as reining or eventing brushing injuries are more common on the forelegs when one hoof. Velcro or hook and loop is the most frequently used form of fasteners. Splints boots are a necessity for horses used in performance events such as barrel racing and cutting.

It used to be that sheepskin lined leather was the go to for protective boots and these are the best looking boots you can get however because they re expensive and difficult to clean they re often saved for competition use. Front and back leg boots typically have 1 5 straps with the front usually having more than the back. Brush boots or splint boots are usually worn on the front legs and help prevent the horse from hitting itself during hard work. After all any step that prevents an injury to your horse s delicate splint bones and tendons is worth the time and effort.

Any rider however may choose to use splint boots for added protection when riding. Today s best splint boots for horses are most often made of neoprene or other synthetic materials. Brush boots can be used on the hind legs as well. Protection is focused on the inside of the cannon bone and fetlock joint.

More expensive models can be made from leather. Most protective boots now are made of lightweight hard wearing neoprene which absorbs sweat and is unlikely to chafe. These boots worn on the front legs sometimes have more substantial inner tendon protection like reinforced strike plates than is found in styles that wrap around the horse s entire cannon bone.