Turnout time is so important for your horse’s physical and mental well-being. But when your horse is out in the pasture, the likelihood of injury rises, especially while getting out their extra energy, or playing with their pasture mates. Suddenly, your perfectly sound horse that you took out to the field is limping when it’s time to come in! That is why, for some horses, protecting their legs during turnout is crucial by using protective horse boots for their legs and hooves.
Types of Leg Protection for Turnout
Using horse boots to protect your horse’s legs is a great way to ensure their safety while allowing them to enjoy turnout. Horse boots are easy to purchase, use, and store, and are an important piece of horse equipment for every barn. While many kinds of horse boots are on the market, only a few are specifically recommended for use during turnout.
Bell Boots
Bell boots cover a horse’s front feet from the pastern and over the coronary band to the hoof wall and heel. These boots provide extra protection around the bulb of your horse’s foot. Usually made from rubber, these boots keep the hind feet from clipping the front, called “overreaching.” They’re a versatile choice as they can be worn whether riding or during turnout.
Fetlock Boots
Fetlock boots protect the fetlock area from bruises and scrapes. These boots come in two different designs: they can wrap around the back of the fetlock joint, leaving the front of the leg open, or provide additional padding on the inside of the fetlock. Remember that these boots do not protect any area other than the fetlock, so if you are looking for a boot with extra coverage on the leg, these may not be right for you.. Fetlock boots are designed for the back legs and are made from various lightweight materials for breathability and comfort.
Splint Boots
Splint boots are made of Neoprene or leather and are usually attached around the leg by two or three wide velcro straps. These boots prevent a horse from clipping the back of their lower legs with their hinds and causing injury. Splint boots should only be worn for a short period of time, so you should not put these boots on your horse for a day out in the pasture.
Hoof Boots
Hoof boots protect hooves from chipping and stone bruises, as well as being used to provide traction on rough terrain. These are also great for horses just transitioning to becoming barefoot or for horses with hoof injuries that must go barefoot. Hoof boots hug the entire hoof and are usually made of leather or synthetic materials.
Understanding Turnout Risks
Horses that are turned out regularly are often happier and healthier than horses that do not get significant turnout time. Studies have shown that regular turnout can maximize good digestive, musculoskeletal, hoof, respiratory, and mental health. However, turnout can have significant health risks, especially increasing their odds of getting an injury. Horses can obtain cuts, bruises, and tendon injuries through play with the herd, clipping their legs while exercising, or even due to rough terrain. Wet grass can be slippery, and other footing hazards, such as rocks or holes in the ground, can be prevalent in a field. This is why it is essential to prevent injury as much as possible.
Monitoring Your Horse's Legs
While using turnout boots is an important way to protect your horse’s legs, it isn’t a simple “snap on and go” approach. Regularly monitoring your horse’s legs is crucial when using horse boots during turnout. We recommend that before and after turnout, you should:
Check for signs of potential issues, such as swelling, heat, and discomfort. Any of these symptoms should be addressed immediately, and turnout avoided until the cause is determined, and issues are resolved.
Make sure the boots are fitted appropriately and will not slip around. If you find your horse is missing a boot in the field, the boots have turned on the leg. The boot needs to be fitted correctly or changed out for a different type of horse boot. Proper fitting includes:
Measuring your horse’s leg and hoof for the most accurate fits
Make sure the boot fits snugly, but not too tight
Ensure the horse boot has no gaps, puckers from too much space, or is easy to remove/twist when strapped on
Make sure the closure strap is not at its maximum tightness
Utilize the easy-to-use sizing guides on our webpage for each horse boot
Be sure to use a boot appropriate for turnout. For example, a bell boot is a great tool for leg protection in the field, while shipping boots are not.
Check the temperature of your horse’s leg each time you take the boots off. One downside of boots is that they can increase skin temperature, especially if the horse is exercising in the field. Heat under a boot can increase the risk of a tendon injury, so monitor the skin closely.
The 6 Best Leg Protection for Your Horse During Turnout
At Schneiders, we pride ourselves on having the best horse boots for every need. For turnout time, we recommend the below boots for your horse.
- Dura-Tech® Double Lock Bell Boots with Fleece Lining
- Dura-Tech® Pull On Ribbed Rubber Bell Boots
- Woof Wear Mud Fever Turnout Boots
- Scoot Boots Hoof Boots
- Dura-Tech® Air-Mesh 360 Protective Boots
- Dura-Tech® Impact Pro Splint Boots
Protect your horse's hooves with this double-lock bell boot with fleece lining that helps prevent chafing. Designed for turnout, these boots are a simple solution to safeguard against overreaching and interference, all while ensuring your horse's comfort and well-being. The easy-care feature and durable construction make these bell boots essential for any horse owner.
These pull-on ribbed rubber bell boots will become your go-to for reliable protection. These boots offer comprehensive protection during turnout or daily riding. Crafted from thick, durable rubber, they absorb shock and prevent the discomfort of overreaching. The pull-on style ensures a snug fit that stays in place. The rolled collar around the pastern brilliantly wards off chafing, making them a staple in your horse's gear.
These turnout boots by Woof Weare cover the leg from the knee to the base of the heel to prevent mud from getting onto your horse's legs, especially in the winter, which can result in mud fever. The waterproof and breathable fabric around the cannon bone prevents overheating, and a closed-fitting hoof capsule with Kevlar reinforced heel protection encourages cool air to circulate, keeping your horse comfortable and cool. Suitable for front and hind legs, these boots keep your horse's legs safe and clean during turnout.
These hoof boots by Scoot Boots are engineered for optimal performance across diverse terrains, offering horses superior traction and ventilation without the hassle of becoming soggy. These boots stand out with their no-cable and no hook-and-loop closure design, ensuring easy application and enhanced durability. Crafted from strong thermoplastic urethane, they provide lightweight comfort and robust protection, making them an ideal choice for horses active in challenging environments.
These Air Mesh protective boots are the perfect solution for protecting your horse's cannon and splint bones. Made with airflow mesh and venting holes, these boots keep air circulating, preventing overheating and keeping your horse's legs cool and comfortable during turnout. They also have strong fastenings, meaning they stay put until you remove them.
With these splint boots, you get 360-degree protection for your horse's sensitive cannon and splint bone area. The boot is constructed from conforming soft and flexible neoprene as your horse moves with double elastic closures and hook and loop fastening for a secure fit. A protective strike plate runs the length of the cannon bone for added protection. These boots are perfect for turnout or training.
Protecting your horse’s legs is crucial in ensuring they can enjoy turnout. Horses need turnout to be their best mentally and physically; every injury they get in the field means less turnout time. This can create additional issues for your horse, such as an increased chance of getting colic. Not only that, but horses that have to spend more time in the stall due to injury, can reinjure themselves faster in the pasture, due to their pent-up energy and excitement in being allowed in the pasture again. It can be a vicious cycle!
Horse boots are a great prevention tool that can keep your horse’s legs safe while giving them all the necessary turnout time. Horse boots are versatile, cost-effective, and also easy to buy, clean, and store. There is no downside to having horse boots as part of your everyday horse equipment. Provide peace of mind for yourself and give your horse the gift of turnout by using horse boots to protect your horse’s legs.
