to boot or not to boot?!?

[jay]

Jay and I only started jumping at the beginning of this year but we're really enjoying it. I was at our local 'gallops' this weekend practicing the xc jumps. There was a group of other people there on their much more slender TB types and I got chatting to them on the way round (actually it was more of a case of Jay stalking them and not letting them get away from us...and me regretting leaving him just in his snaffle! ;D) They weren't particularly welcoming and told me that I shouldn't do any jumping without boots or bandages on him. I didn't think much of it at the time (was concentrating on staying aboard!) and just assumed that Jay would be fine without boots because his legs are 'substantial'. But I've since been thinking...would it be sensible to get him some boots as a preventative measure...especially as I'd like to do more jumping with him? And if so, what type should I get for him?

[JoM]

My friend has a dales mare that she jumps and she boots her up.

www.tds-saddlers.com/woof_wear.html

(The top ones are the sort she uses)
Just a brushing boot similar to this is what she puts on and it does the trick. She XC in these as well. If you are going to be doing a bit of jumping I would at least put some front boots on.

I cant boot D up as I cant find any to fit around all the feathers! LOL You should see me trying to post them all in his travel boots!!! Nightmare!!!

[mickey]

Personally Id boot up at least for XC- even if its just some front brushing boots.

[jay]

Sorry I've taken so long to reply...connection problems! Grrr. Thanks for your advice. I'll definately get him some boots before we do too much more jumping.

Thanks!

[merlinalison]

I never booted Merlin up when jumping (admittedly I wasn't jumping anything bigger than 2'6 to 2'9 but the Vet school didn't either and they used him regularly for the Inter University riding competitions) but then my chances of finding boots that would fit are minimal to non-existent. Orthopaedic vet also suggested that the combination of boots and all his feather might cause more problems than they prevented due to overheating of the leg and possible damage to the tendons.

[Debbie]

When I jumped my freshman year in college (back in the Dark Ages of '88-'89), NONE of the horses were booted. And the classes ranged from beginner through advanced jumping well over four foot and substantial jumps. The horses weren't overworked, but they did have a solid workweek with lots of jumps....and none of them went lame. And I did watch at least one accident where horse and rider ate the whole pole oxer....both came out just fine.

I think its a matter of deciding whether its worth the risk of his accidentally hitting a pole or log with his legs, or not.