Too hot to trot?

‘TOO HOT TO TROT?’

THESE DAYS IT CAN BE HARD TO DECIDE WHICH BOOTS AND BANDAGES TO CHOOSE. HELEN TRIGGS TAKES A LOOK AT APPROPRIATE LEGWEAR FOR THE DRESSAGE HORSE.

Boots are possibly the last items of equine wear to embrace colour but today you can match them to hats, to riding shirts and to gloves. Horses have never looked so colour co-ordinated!

However, as with all things, advances can also bring concerns and scientifi c research has found that ‘over-booting’ or ‘overbandaging’ can cause problems. particularly when riders forget that boots and bandages are a form of safety equipment and should be chosen and used accordingly.

Putting boots on or wrapping with ‘matchy matchy’ bandages is often automatic without thinking if they are needed or whether you have the best products for the job.

The most important consideration is the impact of heat on the tendons. When they are used they naturally get hot, and if they heat up too much, injury can occur. Exercise-induced hyperthermia occurs within the central core of the tendons and can result in localised cell degeneration. A high incidence of central core degeneration can lead to tendon rupture. Repeated incidences of overheating may even compromise cell metabolism and result in degeneration of the central core of the tendon. A 2014 study from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, and published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, measured skin temperatures of the bare metacarpus of the forelimbs, at rest and after exercise. Temperature increased si nifi cantly under boots and banda es durin exercise.

ABOVE: MODERN LIGHTER MATERIALS ARE USED IN THE LATEST GENERATION OF BOOTS SUCH AS THE TRIZONE FROM EQUILIBRIUM PRODUCTS. BELOW: THERE’S A DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN PROTECTING DRESSAGE HORSES’ LEGS FROM STRIKE DAMAGE AND AVOIDING OVERHEATING, WHICH CAN ALSO LEAD TO INJURY.

IF THE HORSE IS AN UNREGISTERED EQUINE, IT CANNOT BE SHIPPED ON IMMEDIATELY AND WILL NEED TO REMAIN WHERE IT IS FOR A MINIMUM OF 40 DAYS

RIGHT: TESTING BY EQUILIBRIUM PRODUCTS WAS CARRIED OUT BY FITTING BOOTS TO A METAL FLASK CONTAINING WATER AT 45°C AND USING A THERMAL CAMERA TO MEASURE HEAT. THE OUTSIDE OF SOME BOOTS APPEARED COLD, INDICATING THAT THE HEAT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE. OTHERS WERE HOTTER ON THE SURFACE INDICATING HEAT WAS BEING RELEASED.

ABOVE: ALTHOUGH THEY CAN’T BE USED IN COMPETITION, BOOTS ARE OFTEN USED TO PROTECT HORSES WITH MORE EXTRAVAGANT MOVEMENT.

Any form of boot or bandage that alters movement of the le should be avoided, says achel. or example restrictin movement of the fetloc oint could ma e other oints extend more instead and increase strain on the deep di ital exor tendon. he ris of in ury from over reachin or interference (brushin ) in dressa e horses is enerally lo , a rees r avid arlin, an expert in e uine physiolo y and consultant to ritish E uestrian. thou h they can stumble

Fitting boots and bandages can have an impact on the or over react to somethin . If strapped too ti htly, boots and health of the legs. Neither product should be strapped so banda es can cause in ammation of the tendons, and straps ti htly as to cause friction or limit blood o . et they also hich o belo the fetloc ris causin tendonitis. have to be fi rm enou h to avoid ver reach boots can protect slipping or sand or mud getting KEEPING TENDONS COOL a ainst stri e in ury hen horses inside them. “Arena sand can get under and be abrasive on soggy DURING WORK IS CRITICAL are learnin ne movements li e half pass, piaff e and canter and s eaty s in, says r achel FOR PERFORMANCE AS pirouettes. If you have a horse that urray, et , , h , ip , ssoc E I, , OVERHEATING COULD is prone to trippin , then use an over reach boot, advises avid. ssociate eterinary pecialist at LEAD TO THE BREAKDOWN e points out that very fe ossdales veterinary practice. “Choosing leg protection is OF TENDON FIBRES manufacturers have published evidence of the heating al ays a balance bet een ho AND DAMAGE properties of their boots. “Most much protection the limbs require tendon in uries are a process of and any potential ne atives. or hi h ris disciplines such de radation, buildin up over time. If your horse is at lo as sho umpin or eventin , it s important to protect ris of stri e in ury, then the less they have on their le s the a ainst trauma. better. a e off boots or banda es as soon as possible after oun dressa e horses are often unco ordinated and exercise and cool the le s do n. li ely to spoo so may be prone to noc in or stri in International dressa e rider nna oss, ho is into themselves. Then protection is required to prevent a sponsored by Es adron, chooses boots that off er coolin serious in ury. properties and most of her horses are ridden in open fronted tendon boots. n balance I thin they are more LEFT: THERMOGRAPHIC at ris of chronic in ury from tendons over heatin than IMAGES OF THE FORELIMBS OF from stri e in ury. A HORSE FROM A STUDY BY I have some very amboyant horses so ill use protective SIMONE WESTERMANN, VIOLA boots if I thin it s necessary. ver reach boots are a sensible WINDSTEIG, JOHANNES PETER choice if the hind feet are shod long or the fronts have bar SCHRAMEL AND CHRISTIAN PEHAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF shoes. e ill use fetloc boots on the hinds if the horses VIENNA INTO THE EFFECT OF A catch their le s, particularly in lateral or . BANDAGE OR TENDON BOOT enerally e use as little as possible and hen e do ON SKIN TEMPERATURE OF use them, e ice the le s after ards. THE METACARPUS AT REST anufacturers have introduced a plethora of ne AND AFTER EXERCISE IN HORSES. IMAGE B SHOWS THE FORELIMBS AFTER EXERCISE materials and desi ns, often dra in on human PERFORMED WHILE WEARING A BANDAGE (LEFT FORELIMB) AND applications, ith the aim of producin products hich TENDON BOOT (RIGHT FORELIMB) AROUND THE METACARPUS. can off er maximum protection ith minimal harm.

ABOVE: IF USING BANDAGES, AVOID WRAPPING TIGHTLY OVER OR UNDER THE FETLOCK, WHICH PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON THE DEEP DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON AND COFFIN JOINT. BELOW: LEMIEUX HAS DEVELOPED A RANGE OF BOOTS USING AN INNOVATIVE CARBON MESH MATERIAL WHICH PROVIDES PROTECTION AGAINST KNOCKS AND STRIKES WHILE PROVIDING AIRFLOW OVER THE LEGS.

The challenge is to provide boots which protect from injury, while keeping the limbs as cool as possible. Boots need to be lightweight and breathable while preventing injury. The weight of boots and any restriction of limb movement are also important considerations. Weight can affect the impact of the limb on the round and its trajectory through the air. This can mean you might trade off the level of stri e protection a ainst choosin a lightweight product.

“Over recent years LeMieux has responded to the demand for boots to be both highly protective, yet lightweight and breathable. Keeping tendons cool during work is critical for performance as overheating could lead to the brea do n of tendon fibres and dama e, says Robert Lemieux, CEO.

LeMieux has developed a range of boots utilising an innovative carbon mesh material which provides a high level of protection against knocks and strikes hile providin air o over the le s and tendons when exercising.

Carbon Mesh wrap boots are made from 100% perforated 3D mesh which is lightweight and breathable, designed to keep tendons cool during work.

The company has also introduced multi-layer micromesh material for their Ultra Mesh Snug boots designed to give shock absorption without added bulk. The individual cells of the mesh each contain four perforations for the rapid dissipation of heat and there are 12 vents down the bac of the tendon to aid the efficient circulation of air.

E uilibrium roducts offers tretch lex raps made of Stomatex, a non-porous polyester membrane. Stomatex works by replicating the way in which the stomata of a plant breathes and removes excess water through transpiration.

As yet there is not a lot of independent testing of equine boots, although Equilibrium Products subjects its TriZone boots to a three-phase testing process. They are safety tested to their limits for their ability to withstand concussion and penetration while remaining lightweight, breathable and exible. ome boots offer a hi h de ree of insulation, and trap heat on the leg’s surface. Testing by Equilibrium Products as carried out by fittin boots to a metal as containin water at 45°C and using a thermal camera to measure heat. The outside of some boots appeared cold, indicating that the heat was trapped inside. Others were hotter on the surface indicating heat was being released.

Both LeMieux and Equilibrium test their boots with panels of owners and riders and use the feedback in their development process. lthou h there is no scientific evidence to prove it, many riders choose boots or bandages to ‘support’ the legs. Actually strapping too tight or bandaging too tight can have the opposite result. Both products should be properly fitted for safety and to prevent restriction and rubbin .

There is so much more choice for riders seeking to protect their horses’ legs and by choosing and using appropriately, you will be doing the best you can for your horse.

PRODUCT

LEG WATCH PROTECTION

HY SPORT ACTIVE LUXURY

BANDAGES have been exclusively designed to match the Hy Sport Active collection. These beautiful bandages are made from high quality fl eece to prevent pilling. The versatile bandages can be used alone or with padding to create extra protection whilst exercising. These luxurious bandages are sold in a set of four within a zipped bag.

RRP £20.99

hy-equestrian.com/ LEMIEUX MESH BRUSHING BOOT is lightweight, and features a perforated breathable inner lining with protective grained PU leather palm and straps. The 3D mesh outer makes it one of the most breathable brushing boots on the market whilst the padded grained PU leather brushing palm is tough and durable. Suitable for use on front and hind legs. Sold in pairs, available in small, medium, large and XL and in black, white and brown.

RRP £33.50 | lemieuxproducts.com

TRI-ZONE ALL SPORTS BOOTS help to provide

all-round protection in a super lightweight and breathable boot, keeping legs and tendons cool and allowing freedom of movement. Independently scientifi cally tested for their protection levels, breathability, fl exibility, and weight. Easy to wash (even the white ones!) and quick to dry.

RRP £49.95 | equilibriumproducts.com

LEMIEUX CARBON MESH WRAP BOOTS are made from a new tougher, more durable material. The LeMieux Carbon Mesh wrap boots provide a combination of the support of polo bandages with the protection of brushing boots. Made from 100% perforated 3D mesh, these boots are lightweight and breathable to keep tendons cool during work and the stretch cotton inner lining is quick drying, while the wrap round style offers a close, fl exible fi t. The Carbon Mesh boots can be worn on front or hind legs and are available in colours to match your LeMieux saddle pads whilst keeping an athletic and professional look. Sold in pairs, available in small, medium, large and XL and in musk, sage, azure, navy, blue/ grey and black/mulberry.

RRP £32.50 | lemieuxproducts.com

Harnessing Nature's Healing Energy

The ingredients used in the Botanica products have proven bene cial e ects: anti-fungal, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-histamine and antiin ammatory. ey are made from natural herbal ingredients; they are non-toxic and can be used on all animals, including us humans. e products are extremely versatile and user friendly, they are a must have for all horse yards, farms and grooming kits.

Made in Northern Ireland by Botanica International Ltd, the herbal range contains a combination of Aloe Vera, Tea Tree oil, Comfrey oil and Oil of Lavender, all with proven bene cial properties to keep skin clean, promote healthy cell growth and deter insects. ere are a range of washes, creams and sprays that can be used on all animals including: dog, cats, crows and sheep. e products are used in zoos worldwide for all animals, especially for elephant and rhino's!

Sylvia Ormiston at Balmoral Highland Stud says, 'We use Botanica Wash and add it to the water for washing the horses down a er work. It keeps their coats clean and bug free. We use the wash, cream and anti-itch products for people, dogs and horses. ese are brilliant products!"

For humans, there is a great range of skin care products including a cleanse-tone-moisturise system, rejuvenating face cream, bathing bodywash, body lotion, a er-shave, make-up remover and deodorant as well as lip salve.

Visit the Botanica International Ltd Facebook page to read some amazing reviews from people who have use Botanica Products.

We should never underestimate the power of plants, and as an added bonus, they smell great too!

Very beneficial when used for:

• Mud rash • Sweet-Itch • Rain Scald • Sore Shins • Wounds • War Wounds • Cracked Heels • Sore Tendons • Sun Burn • Over Reach • Ring Worm Wounds