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Be Shipping-Boot Savvy To protect your horse’s legs while hauling, invest in shipping boots. They’re relatively inexpensive, they come in various sizes and shapes to fit most horses, they’re easy to apply, and they offer hoof-and-leg protection on the road. Here are five shopping tips and seven application steps.
Boot-Shopping Tips As you shop of shipping boots, consider the following. 1. Hook-and-loop closures. Boots with three large closures are easy to apply and secure them well around your horse’s legs. 2. Hoof guards. Look for boots with hoof guards, also called scuff plates or striking plates. These guards flare out along the bottom edge of the boot to cover the hoof, offering more protection. 3. Nylon linings. Choose boots with nylon linings. They’re just as warm and comfortable as ones with fleece linings, but nylon is easier to clean and doesn’t catch as much bedding and dirt. 4. The right size. Some boots come in sizes from small to large; others are sized for either ponies or horses. When you purchase shipping boots, make sure you can return them if they don’t fit your horse. 5. Easy care. Look for boots that can be hosed off for routine cleaning or that are machine washable.
Boot-Application Steps Here’s how to apply shipping boots to your horse’s legs. Step 1: Match boots to legs. First,
determine which boots go on the front legs and which go on the rear legs. The bent-looking boots are typically made for the rear legs, as they’re shaped to fit over the hocks. Step 2: Introduce your horse to a boot. Start with a front boot. Slowly introduce your horse to the boot. Allow him to see the boot, then rub it on his chest and leg. Raise up the boot so your horse can see it, and open and close the hook-and-loop closures a few times. Repeat these steps until he’s calm and accepting of the feel and sound of the boot. Step 3: Apply the left front boot. Fully open one front boot. Move the boot down to your horse’s left front leg, holding the boot open so you can place it around his leg. If he seems accepting of the boot, place it around his leg. Fasten the middle closure first, then fasten the bottom closure. Fasten the top closure last. Step 4: Apply the right front boot. Move to your horse’s right front leg, and repeat Step 3. Step 5: Lead your horse. When both front boots are on securely, lead your horse around. Don’t be surprised if he walks funny or tries to kick the boots off, just keep yourself and your horse safe while he gets used to them. Step 6: Apply the rear boots. Staying out of kicking range, repeat this process to apply the rear boots. Step 7: Load and unload. Practice loading and unloading your horse a few times so he gets used to the feel of the boots when he steps up and down —Jenny Sullivan
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
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To protect your horse’s legs while hauling, invest in shipping boots. They’re relatively inexpensive, they come in different sizes and shapes to fit most horses, they’re easy to apply, and they offer hoof-and-leg protection on the road.
PHOTOS BY HEIDI MELOCCO
Practice loading and unloading your horse a few times so he gets used to the feel of the boots when he steps up and down.
Summer 2021
