Western Horse Boots

Which leg protection is suitable for Western riding?

In Western riding, there are other sources of danger for the horse's legs than in dressage or showjumping. In showjumping, tendon boots and bell boots are a sensible thing to have as impact protection over the jump. In dressage, the horse can injure itself when leg-yielding or in lateral movements, which is why bandages or boots are also used here.

In Western riding, on the other hand, other manoeuvres are performed. Sliding stops, spins or rollbacks can be a danger to the safety of the horse's legs, both in training and at Western shows. Especially in reining, horse boots or Western boots are indispensable. These are longer than ordinary boots and enclose both the cannon bone and the fetlock. This not only provides impact protection from the horse's own legs, for example when the horse crosses over with the forehand during a spin. Boots for Western riding can also reduce overstretching of the tendons and joints, which is a sensible thing to do during hard stops and turns, for example in reining or in cattle work.

Horse boots can be supplemented with bell boots, which additionally protect the coronet and the bulb of the hooves from kicks.

At Kramer Equestrian you can buy anatomically shaped horse boots. These reliably enclose the cannon bone and fetlock and prevent the penetration of dirt. They are particularly light, while the material is shock-absorbent and takes the strain off the bone structure. This is especially beneficial for the horse's leg health during hard stops and tight turns. Padded Western bell boots round off our range.

What should I look for in a leg protector for a Western horse?

Leg protectors for Western horses should first and foremost protect the horse's leg from blows and injuries caused by them. This means that the material must be able to withstand a lot so that it can sufficiently shield the horse's leg from external influences. Boots for Western riding should therefore have the following properties:

• Shock-absorbing
• Robust
• Breathable
• Easy to care for
• Durable, long-lasting Velcro fastener
• Flexible to fit the horse's leg better