The best horse knee boots are vital for traveling with your horse, especially if fidgety in the trailer or prone to falling. As the name suggests, knee boots cover the knees on the front legs to protect your horse’s knees while transportation and can also be used when riding on the highway.
Some knee boots are worn after an accident to protect the damaged area and keep the injury from deteriorating, while others are just used as a precaution.
Quick Comparison
| Image | Product |
|---|---|
|
Best Curative and preventive: Back On Track Therapeutic Knee Boot Editor's Rating: 9.7 Brand: Back on Track Check Price |
|
Best Lightweight: Professional’s Choice Equine Knee Boots Editor's Rating: 9.6 Brand: Professional’s Choice Check Price |
|
Best AQHA/NRHA approved: Classic Equine Knee Boots Editor's Rating: 9.3 Brand: Classic Equine Check Price |
|
Best Value: Intrepid International Neoprene Knee Boot Editor's Rating: 9.1 Brand: Intrepid International Check Price |
|
Best High-Quality: Tough-1 Extreme Vented Sport Boots Set Editor's Rating: 8.8 Brand: Tough 1 Check Price |
Contents
Types of Horse Knee Boots
Read our helpful information on the most popular types of horse boots to help you decide what boots you need for your horse and when to wear them:
Brushing Boots
When it comes to horse boots, brushing boots are one of the most popular options. They are multi-purpose boots that may be utilized for training, flatwork, lunging, hacking, or turnout. They prevent the bottom part of the horse’s leg from being knocked against by the opposing foot, a condition known as brushing.
Brushing boots also protect the splint bone, a common site of damage in horses. These boots are often constructed of soft fabric that contours to the form of the horse’s leg. Neoprene is an excellent material option since it is smooth, resilient, and breathable, preventing the horse from becoming sweaty and uncomfortable.
A good pair of brushing boots will also include reinforcement on the inside leg, such as PVC, to defend against impact. Depending on the horse’s needs, brushing boots can be worn on either the fore or hind legs.
Tendon and fetlock boots
Tendon and fetlock boots look similar to brushing boots and protect the tendons and fetlocks on the lower leg from trauma. These boots are composed of a more robust material to protect against more significant hits and strikes because they are meant for jumping and cross country.
Tendon boots prevent the horse’s front legs from being struck by the rear hooves when landing a jump. On the other hand, Fetlock boots are worn on the horse’s hind legs and only protect the fetlock from brushing injuries. There are several styles to choose from.
Open front tendon boots are more common among show jumpers since they protect the horse from hits while still allowing the animal to feel whether they have knocked a pole. Closed front types, often known as cross country boots, are more prevalent in eventing and hunting because they protect against a collision with natural solid fences. Cross-country boots are offered for both the front and back legs.
Overreach Boots
Overreach boots, often known as bell boots because of their form, wrap the whole hoof and protect from overreaching and other blows. When a hind foot contacts the soft heel of the front hoof, this is referred to as overreaching. Overreach boots are popular for various activities, including training, flatwork, lunging, hacking, showjumping, cross country, and more, because of the heel’s sensitive nature.
Many horse owners will also utilize them as turnout. These boots can prevent a horse from stepping on the heel of a front shoe and yanking it off. They are especially popular with horses that wear back shoes, as they can cause more harm when overexerting.
Some horses overreach more naturally than others. Therefore, they may need to be worn for all activities. Due to the greater danger of impact, other horses may only wear them when leaping. Brushing strikes can also be avoided by wearing overreach boots on the rear hooves.
Traditional overreach boots were made of rubber, but advances in fabric technology have led to an increase in the usage of neoprene. Neoprene is a softer, more durable fabric that is more pleasant for the horse and lasts longer.
Look for models with a ‘non-twist design,’ which keeps the boot from spinning around in use, preventing the horse from catching on the touch tape fastening. For extra comfort, overreach boots may include a fleece trim.
Travel Boots
Travel boots are intended to be worn when riding a horse. Travel boots are significantly higher by design because they provide complete protection from the hock to the fetlock. PVC striking pads may be included in more costly versions to protect the hooves from impact.
Because horseback riding is a high-risk activity, these boots provide the best protection of any available. They cover the legs from hits, collisions, and injuries that might occur while riding in a truck or trailer. Travel boots limit mobility by compressing the legs to prevent edema when a horse sits motionless for extended periods.
Travel boots are often a wraparound design with touch tape fastenings at the front for ease of usage. A high-quality pair of travel boots will have a solid outer shell for durability and a soft fleece inner for comfort. Before traveling, like with any boots, make sure your horse is comfortable with them. Many horses may need to be progressively introduced to travel boots before they are ready to be ridden.
Bandages Boots
Bandages are incredibly adaptable and may be used for nearly any activity. They can prevent damage when riding or provide support/compression while in the stable. They were often used before advancements in boot technology. Many horse owners now prefer boots to bandages because they are easy to put on and take off. Magnetic boots, which enhance blood flow in the horse’s leg, and ice boots, which are meant to be worn after training to cool the horse’s legs faster and avoid damage, are two common varieties.
Top 5 Best Horse Knee Boots Reviews
The ceramic powder not only soothes the horse's knees but also aids in the healing of injuries, the reduction of discomfort, and the treatment of chronic inflammation. It hastens the healing process by providing unrivaled assistance.
These Back On Track therapeutic boots are strong, long-lasting, and rugged enough to last for years. Customers who have already purchased these horse knee boots have praised that they have been reported to improve leg joints.
According to a few customers, the Back On Track boots do not come in pairs and are a little pricey than the other horse knee boots offered on Amazon. They can, however, be used for both protection and prevention.
- Assist in the healing of injuries, the reduction of pain, and the treatment of chronic inflammation.
- It hastens to heal.
- Strong, sturdily built, and robust.
- Leg joints are improved.
- It can be used for both protection and prevention.
- A little expensive
- Being sold on its own
The heavy-duty velcro fastening straps hold the knee boots in place so you may ride your horse without interruption. The slimline form provides excellent support while without putting undue strain on the horse's knees.
Pairs of Professional's Choice horse knee boots are available. When compared to other horse knee boots offered separately, they are pretty inexpensive. In a nutshell, it possesses all of the characteristics that horse enthusiasts look for in boots.
These Professional's Choice horse knee boots are designed for lengthy training sessions and travel. Despite their durability and toughness, these boots are not ideal for fieldwork.
- There is no additional cushioning.
- Velcro fastening straps that are tough.
- Maintains focus
- Bulkiness is not taxed.
- Extremely affordable
- Sturdy
- Designed for travel
- Sold in sets of two.
- Fieldwork is not possible.
These all-in-one Classic horse boots are designed to provide exceptional service to horses. Classic equestrian horse knee boots are available for purchase to rectify the horse's uneven stride and prevent bumps and bruises.
Unlike conventional horse knee boots, the Classic equine knee boots may be utilized for therapeutic and defensive reasons. These boots can assist in the repair and maintenance of the horse's knees.
These boots are precisely sized and constructed to cover the problematic pastern joint and fetlock regions. Furthermore, these boots are AQHA/NRHA certified. Thus, they cannot be defective in any way.
- The design is unique.
- It provides unrivaled assistance.
- It covers the pastern joint and fetlock nicely.
- AQHA/NRHA approves it
- They are designed to keep bumps and bruises at bay.
- It keeps the knees in good shape.
- It can be used both preventively and curatively.
- It does not necessitate any changes.
- Assist with uneven stride.
- Individually priced
To obtain the proper fit, it may be modified with hook-and-loop fasteners. They include three touch tape straps to hold the boots in place. The black knee boots come in a one-size-fits-all style. It is made soft and straightforward to clean for the next time it is used.
- They are comfortable to wear
- The only problem at first was figuring out how to adjust to avoid falling correctly.
It provides a second-skin fit, so equestrian companions are not bothered by wearing it all day. The horse's legs can breathe, thanks to the porous neoprene freely. It generates heat, which causes the wind to flow toward the portion.
The athletic boots' three "fast grip" closures make it simple to put them on. There is no time to be concerned about training a horse for a particular activity every time. The pet will appreciate the tailored fit and lightweight equipment.
- They have good quality and are adaptable feel to them.
- The color is not full grey.
Buying Guide
Even the hottest selling goods fail to provide the necessary protection if the product is chosen carelessly. Because you are purchasing online, you must be highly attentive to the details. So, here’s what you need to be aware of
Material
You must first bother the “material,” just like you would with any other product. Genuine/synthetic leather or neoprene can be used to make the horse knee shoe. Both materials are suitable for the task, but we recommend neoprene if you want more protection.
The neoprene-constructed horse knee would be more comfortable since it acts as a second skin. Furthermore, neoprene is water-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and highly resistant to various environmental conditions such as UV, oxidation, and ozone. On the other hand, Neoprene would be less durable than leather but would suit the function better than the other alternative.
Fastening system
No matter how creative the design, one or more velcros would be used to attach the horse knee boots around the horse’s knees. Because readjustments would be exhausting for both you and your horse, ensure sure the fastening method appears to be strong enough to keep the horse knee shoe in place. Velcro fasteners are often not very long-lasting, although they can be changed. If you prefer comfort above durability, avoid buckle shoes.
Length and width
After the material and the attaching mechanism, you must consider the length and width. Horse knee boots should be long and wide enough to cover the whole knee area, including the pastern joint and fetlock. So, look over the product description again, noting how long and broad the horse knee boots are.
Purpose
Horse knee boots are classified into three types: preventative, curative, and two-in-one preventive and curative boots.
The preventative horse knee boots, as the name implies, are designed to avoid blisters, bruises, injuries, and other common knee difficulties in horses, and the curative horse knee shoes are designed to treat wounds, bruises, and blisters. The two-in-one corrective and preventative horse knee boots are considerably preferable since they fulfill both functions flawlessly.
Padding
The majority of horse knee boots are just lightly cushioned. Ensure the horse knee boots have minimum padding; excessive padding would make it difficult to walk, run, trot, and bend its knees. So, if you don’t want to be disappointed, don’t neglect the padding issue.
Weight
Weight is another crucial consideration that should never be overlooked. Remember! The less weight there is, the better (but not that light that they fail to serve the purpose). The horse knee boot weight is rarely given in the product description; scroll down, get into details, and see the item’s weight. If the material, size, fastening technique, and weight are satisfactory, please place an order.
Finally, horse fans should check if the horse knee boots they purchase are available singly or in pairs. Boots offered in pairs are often less expensive, but if the quality is terrible, there is no harm in paying a few extra dollars. So, you should have double-checked how the boots are being sold. If the boot you’ve chosen is being sold alone, scroll down and add two to the amount before completing your order.
FAQs
What do knee boots do for horses?
Horse knee boots protect your horse’s knees from potentially fatal injuries when working, leaping, or shipping. Horse skid boots protect the rear legs during exercise and competition, preventing injuries to the fetlocks, pasterns, and other areas of the lower leg.
When should you put boots on your horse?
Protective boots are essential if your horse has a lot of movement in his gaits, has been injured, or if he interferes, which means he tends for one or more feet to contact another leg during training.
What boots should my horse wear for jumping?
When a hind foot contacts the soft heel of the front hoof, this is referred to as overreaching. Overreach boots are popular for various activities, including training, flatwork, lunging, hacking, showjumping, cross country, and more, because of the sensitive nature of the heel. Many horse owners will also utilize them as turnout.
Are boots bad for horses?
Investing in high-quality boots may make us feel like we’re doing something to protect our horses’ tendons, but nothing they wear is likely to prevent a tendon or ligament damage.
Should horses wear boots when jumping?
Many horse owners will also utilize them as turnout. These boots can assist keep a horse from standing on the heel of a front shoe and yanking it off. Due to the greater danger of impact, other horses may only wear them when leaping. Brushing strikes can also be avoided by wearing overreach boots on the rear hooves.
Final Thought
To conclude, horse knee boots are often worn to protect the pastern and fetlock joints. These knee boots are commonly used to prevent and treat bruising, blisters, inflammation, and other horse knee problems. When ordering horse knee boots, consider the material, cushioning, size (length and width), fastening mechanism, and weight. Before purchasing, double-check the product specifications and match them to your horse’s demands, as each instance is unique.
If we had to pick one or two-horse knee boots from all possibilities, we would recommend Classic Equine Knee Boots and Professional’s Choice Equine Knee Boots.