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Boots and bandages are made to protect the horse’s limbs, at least that is what we are told. Have you ever asked yourself why or how they protect a horse’s leg? In this article, we intend to investigate the specific purpose and function of equine boots and bandages based on existing research.
Going out for a few jumps in the arena? Buckle on the jumping boots. Heading for a haul in the trailer? Strap on those well-padded, hock-high transport boots. Or going for dressage training after work? Put on those bandages that match the saddle pad, and you are good to go. It’s what we’ve seen other people do; it’s what we’ve been taught to do; it’s simply what we know to do. But why exactly do we do it? Of course, the short answer to that question is ‘protection’. But have you ever asked yourself why or how these boots protect a horse’s leg—or if they even do? What’s going on under the boots or bandages? That is what we are about to find out…
The limbs of a horse are the most common place for injuries and on the lower limbs (below the knee) more common than the upper limbs. The forelegs are also more likely to be injured than the hind legs. One of the things that enable the horse to be so athletic, to move quickly, and jump so well, is how the leg is constructed. The limbs are long and slender so that they can move quickly. Most of the muscle is close to the body so that the leg rapidly can accelerate through the air. This would not be possible if the leg was covered in soft tissue, muscle, and bone. In other words; the leg of a horse is designed to be aerodynamic. But this design means that there is very little soft tissue to cushion the impacts on the front of the lower leg, for example when striking a jump or interference blows from a hind leg. These impacts can in worst case damage the bone, joints, or tendons.
Bandages and boots are mainly sold as ‘protective gear’, meaning that they intend to support the lower leg, limit torsion and/or protect the limb from trauma from the surface the horse is performing on, external objects like bars, or brushing from another limb.
You might be surprised to learn that there’s very little research about what is going on under the bandage or boot when first applied to the equine leg. It’s a field of research that still needs lots of “padding” and extra “layers” of research before we can fully understand it. Yet we want to attempt to provide you with an overview of the existing research.
We found one study, focusing on the heat development underneath the bandage or boot. An Austrian study concludes that the skin temperature increases dramatically when using bandages or boots compared to a bare limb. After exercising with a bare leg, the mean maximum temperature was 14ºC, with a bandage 25ºC and with tendon boot 21ºC.
Covering the legs with this kind of equipment causes a temperature increase of up to 30%, probably due to heat trapped inside the equipment.
The team behind the study showed that exercising without boots led to very little temperature increase in the legs compared to the covered legs. While boots and wraps might have some tendon-warming benefits on cold days, the temperature increase could damage the tendons in certain situations.
The problem with thick bandages is that the large tendons running down the back of the horse’s legs get very hot during physical work. The horse is very efficient at dissipating heat during exercise but this system is disrupted if they wear covers on their legs that prevent heat loss during and after strenuous exercise. The cells making up the tendons seem to tolerate high temperatures over short periods (Birch et al, 1997) such as during a canter, but they may be more vulnerable to injury, including strain if they are prevented from cooling quickly, the research states.
Boots used on horses should cover the inside and back of the leg but can be open over the front of the cannon to facilitate heat dispersion. The ideal leg covering for the exercising horse would be light, resistant to penetration by sharp objects, and able to protect the leg from concussive forces. It would promote effective heat transfer away from the soft tissue structures in the distal limb and prevent hyperextension beyond the fetlock’s normal range of motion.
Again, bandages and heavier boots will retain more heat than lighter boots. Many modern boots now incorporate vents or mesh to encourage heat loss. So that is one thing you need to consider when buying equine leg wear.
Some research indicates that riders tend to tighten their boots too much. This may be because of the fear that they will get twisted or fall off when riding, in which case they are likely either designed poorly or ill-fitting. Some say they put them on tight to give support to the soft tissue structures, which is supported by some of the companies producing equine boots and bandages. However, there is minimal evidence suggesting that boots provide support for these parts of the horse’s leg. Instead, a boot may reduce the flexibility of a joint and potentially move the load from one structure to another, which may not be optimal.
Another problem stemming from overly tight boots is the presence of rubbing injuries or swellings. This may cause discomfort for the horse. So appropriately designed boots have the potential to protect the lower leg from cuts and bruises, but they should not be overly tightened, otherwise choose a better fit for your horse.
Firstly, any weight added to a horse will require an increased effort on the part of the horse that has to move that weight. And furthermore, weight added at the end of the limbs will have a greater impact than weight carried in the saddle area. The reason for this is that the limbs, like the legs, move faster than the main body. As we mentioned earlier, all soft tissue is placed close to the bone for aerodynamic purposes. In other words: all unnecessary weight has been removed, so the horse can move faster.
A research conducted on racehorses shows that horses shoed with ordinary steel shoes (weighing 260 g each) use significantly more energy than horses shoed with racing plates (80 g each). The reason for this increased use of energy is that the horse must perform extra work to pull the limb off the ground into the swing phase of the stride and again to control the weighted leg while it is in flight. So, the weight of a boot has a lot to say about the horse’s use of energy.
A popular movement in the dressage world these days is to wrap bandages around the leg and all the way up to the knee. It is said to increase the horse’s lift whilst in the swing phase, and thus increasing the quality of the gaits. But is that true?
"Some say that the mere presence of a bandage or boot creates an increased flexion while in swing phase”, so Dr. Lesley Hawson, University of Sidney, concludes and adds: Although the pastern area seems to be particularly sensitive to tactile stimulation the research suggests that the flexion does not increase overall and therefore does not improve limb movement in terms of what is required in dressage," Hawson explains.
In summary, horses have lived and worked without leg coverings for many years. Even though there is an increased risk of bumps and bruises arising on horses being worked without leg protection, there is also sufficient evidence that some types of leg coverings may also contribute to damage to the limb that they are trying to protect. Maybe using legwear when turning out the horses has a more relevant purpose?
Boots may offer some extra protection against trauma and are easier to apply, whereas improper application (over-tightening!) of bandages may quickly result in rubs of loss of blood supply. So, a proper fit and adjustment is essential. Also, dirt may be collected between the boot and the skin, resulting in skin irritation, scientists say.
