Why do horses need travel boots? (2023)

Why do horses need travel boots?

Travel Boots

Travelling a horse is a high-risk activity so these boots offer the most protection of any available. They protect the legs from strikes, impacts, and trauma that can occur when on the lorry or trailer.

The best travel boots provide excellent protection to the horse when he's being loaded, unloaded and while in transit in a horsebox or trailer. Travel boots need to be hard-wearing, so they can protect your horse's legs from knocks and scrapes, as well as suitably padded to absorb shock.

They protect the lower part of the horse's leg from the opposite hoof knocking into it, which is referred to as brushing. Brushing boots also protect the splint bone which is a common area of injury for horses.

Shipping / travel boots – boots with a fleece lining that protect a horse's legs from injury during transport in a horse float or trailer. Stable boots – to prevent against leg swelling or leg injuries while a horse is being stabled. They also help keep the legs warm, dry and comfortable.

If your horse or pony is a bad traveller and does not like travelling, perhaps moving around risking injury to themselves, then travel boots may be better for the extra protection they offer covering more of the horses leg and often being very durable in design.

Horses should wear protective travel clothing to protect them from injury and to ensure that they stay safe and comfortable during loading and the journey itself. The equipment and clothing used should be well-fitting and of a suitable type for the conditions and the individual horse's needs.

Travel boots protect against scrapes, knocks and falls while travelling in a horsebox or trailer, they also keep the horse's legs clean and tidy.

How to fit travel boots to a horse - YouTube

Horse leg wraps support tendons and ligaments, and protect against rundown abrasions and interference injuries. They are also used to cover wounds, keep flies off horses' legs, and sometimes put on a horse because they add a little flair.

Boots are commonly used for work wear, industry, mining, military, riding, walking in snow, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. However, with boots now being available in smooth and soft material, it is fashionable for women to use boots with dresses.

How long do horse boots last?

The boots of the average horse hacking for an hour a day, five days a week, will last 6-18 months; this is however heavily dependent on terrain (roads being more abrasive than tracks in general, for example), how heavy a horse is on his footwear, and any gait or conformational abnormalities that could cause excessive ...

While unshod horses often do well being ridden or turned out on soft terrain, some require the help of hoof boots to stay comfortable and sound on trails or during long rides. Hoof boots are also handy to have on hand in the event of a lost shoe, and some riders carry one with them while hacking for just that purpose.

Protective boots are particularly important if your horse has big movement in his gaits, has sustained an injury, or if he interferes- meaning he has a propensity for one or more hooves to strike another leg during movement.

Brushing boots, also referred to as split boots, are used to protect your horse's lower legs from potential knocks or injuries caused by the opposite leg or hoof. In brief, they protect the legs from 'brushing' injuries during fast pace activities such as galloping or jumping.

Horses tend to sweat more when they are stressed and can even burn the same number of calories as when they're exercising! Training your horse to get used to the trailer prior to travelling can help keep him calm while on the road.

Holmes of New Zealand, established that horses are more comfortable in transport in which they face away from the direction they travel. These studies benefit from a researcher's knowledge of physics and engineering as well as of equine anatomy and psychology.

Horses legs are delicate and the lower section is very lean, containing no muscle. So, they require plenty of added protection in the form of bandages or travel boots.

You can ride your horse 25 and 35 miles (40 – 56.5 km) without rest when it walks steady. An average trail horse in decent shape can withstand a journey of 50 miles (80.5 km) in one day, while a fit endurance competitor will be able to travel even 100 miles (161 km) in a day.

Horses legs are delicate and the lower section is very lean, containing no muscle. So, they require plenty of added protection in the form of bandages or travel boots.

How do you put travel boots on a horse?

How to fit travel boots to a horse - YouTube

Trailers – if travelling one horse, load them on the right-hand side of the trailer. If travelling two horses, the heavier horse should be on the right. This helps with balance on corners. Position the horse facing straight at the ramp and walk them up the ramp.