What are good cross country bindings and boots?

Cross Country Boots? (For horses)?

  • I just got into eventing, I'm doing BN and Novice level, and I was wondering about XC boots I've used Splint Boots in the past, but I think they're cheap and not very safe.. so, other opinions, are they alight to use or unsafe? If not, what boots WOULD you suggest? Preferably under $100, but I want them to be safe. Back boots? Bell Boots? Thanks in advance :)

  • Answer:

    I'd use over reach boots, the petal design (Westropp I think they're called) as these won't invert going through mud and if the catch them they'll only pull one petal off instead of the whole boot. In front then I'd use tendon boots, probably closed at the front rather than open so as to protect the front of the cannon bones as well as the tendons - I'm meaning the ones with the hard shell to protect against being knocked by the hind feet. And either brushing or fetlock boots on the back.

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I personally love eskadron boots. They get a little pricey, but well worth it. I would not use bell boots unless your horse hits his hooves together. Good luck in your search!

brushing boots for all four. depending on the quality they range from $30 - $200, bell boots are only if your horse either knocks his hooves on the fences of his own legs.

In my personal opinion... if you're going to go with an actual "boot", my favorite have always been Sports Medicine Boots (SMB). That said, all you really need for XC is something to help protect your horse's legs from the inevitable brushes/possible contact with fences. For that, a good set of polo wraps do a more than adequate job... so long as you tape them to prevent un-raveling (at least two circles of tape around the velcro closure... some people also like to add a circle or two above and below the fetlock). I personally LOVE polos. They provide cushion from knocks and brushes, which is really all you really need in any situation. Plus... they're incredibly inexpensive. Bell boots, while well-intentioned are absolutely un-necessary unless you have a horse who over-reaches. If you need them, buy a fitted, "no turn" pair, to prevent any gaps, and to help prevent them from getting hung up during your ride.

With regards to the bell boots, these are over used, and can cause problems as they often get caught on things - only use them if you find evidnce of your horse catching his feet on one another, such as scrapes around the coronet band. Simply for protection purposes, I would advise against boots designed specifically to protect the tendons or just the insides of the legs. Personally, I use some very cheap boots which are sort of made of velcro, and have a strap which gives support under the fetlock joint, which is good for deep mud, if the weather turns bad. On the whole, what you need from a boot os something that will give protection from knocks on all sides. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it is important that it fits snugly. Front boots are essential, back boots are up to you.

I use Woof boots on all four legs. They are economical and wear well. You do needs boots on all four legs made of a material that does not retain water. You might or might not need bell boots depending on whether your horse overreaches or not.

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