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When it comes to protecting your horse’s legs and hooves, choosing the right type of boot is crucial. From cross country to box rest, there’s a boot designed to support your horse through it. But with so many options available, it can be tricky to decide which ones your horse needs. This guide explains the different types of horse boots available, what they’re used for, and when you should consider using them.
Throughout this article we will highlight the boots we think are Tack Room Essentials. These are boots we think every horse owner should have tucked away – just in case.
Common Exercise Boots
Exercise boots are used to protect your horse during exercise. Which ones you need will depend on your horse and what you are doing with them.
Brushing Boots
Brushing boots are one of the most popular types of horse boots, offering protection to a horse’s legs during everyday riding. They guard against brushing injuries, which occur when a horse’s legs knock against each other. Brushing boots are padded on the inside of the cannon bone and fetlock and are suitable for various activities, including hacking, lunging, and schooling.
When to use brushing boots:
If your horse has close hind leg movement or performs lateral work or sharp turns, brushing boots are a must-have.
Tack Room Essential
For me Brushing Boots are an essential bit of kit. If you only go Cross Country once in a blue moon, they are a great alternative to splashing out on expensive cross country boots. They are also perfect turnout boots for horses who are accident prone but don’t need the mud protection a turnout boot offers. I’ve even known some people to use them as travel boots for horses who dislike travel boots. I love a Woof Wear brushing boot for a hardy but affordable option.
Tendon Boots
Tendon boots are designed to shield the tendons on the back of the horse’s front legs. Their hard outer shell protects against impact, while the front remains open to allow natural movement. These boots are a staple for horses jumping at higher levels.
When to use tendon boots:
Tendon boots are ideal for show jumping or eventing, where the risk of striking the tendons with the hind hooves during take-off or landing is higher.
Fetlock Boots
Fetlock boots work alongside tendon boots to protect the fetlocks during high-impact activities. These smaller boots are typically used on the hind legs to prevent injuries caused by sharp turns or lateral movements.
When to use fetlock boots:
Choose fetlock boots for disciplines like show jumping or dressage, especially if your horse is prone to knocking its hind fetlocks.
Cross-Country Boots
Cross-country boots are built to withstand the tough demands of eventing. They provide full-leg protection against knocks, scrapes, and obstacles. Made from durable, waterproof materials, these boots are designed to perform in wet, muddy, or rugged conditions.
When to use cross-country boots:
Use cross-country boots for eventing or hacking on challenging terrain to keep your horse’s legs safe from hard impacts and debris.
Overreach Boots
Overreach boots, also known as bell boots, protect the heels of your horse from injuries caused by overreaching. They also help prevent horses from pulling off their front shoes. These boots are particularly useful for high-energy activities or horses prone to overreaching. They come in different materials and styles, from leather to rubber, from pull on to sheepskin lined! The best option for you will depend on your horse & your budget.
When to use overreach boots:
Consider overreach boots for fast-paced activities like jumping, galloping, or cross-country riding. They should also be considered for horses prone to overreaching or losing shoes in the field.
Tack Room Essential
I have a steady supply of overreach boots in my tack room as Scottie lives in them. In the past he was a serial shoe puller so now he wears them 24/7. I’ve tried a few different brands and styles over the years, but my favourite are just the plain and simple ARMA rubber ones.
Hoof Boots
Hoof boots are a bit like trainers for horses as an alternative to horseshoes. They protect the hooves and provide extra cushioning when the horse is without a shoe. They are often used for barefoot horses, horses transitioning out of shoes or those recovering from a hoof injury.
When to use hoof boots:
Hoof boots are often used for riding on hard or rocky terrain for barefoot horses, especially those still transitioning out of shoes. But they can also be used over the top of a poultice for a horse with an abscess to prevent them pulling it off/getting it wet.
Other Protective Boots
Travel Boots
Travel boots provide essential protection during transport. These padded boots cover the legs from above the knee or hock down to the hoof, shielding your horse from knocks, scrapes, or pressure during transit.
When to use travel boots:
You should always travel your horse with some form of leg protection, especially on longer journeys or for horses who aren’t used to travelling. Travel boots are a perfect solution to this.
Tack Room Essential
While there alternatives, such as bandaging, travel boots are an essential piece of kit for me. Many horses can get anxious once they know they are going out and some can be very silly once they arrive. Having a set of boots that are quick and easy to get on & off makes the process much less stressful for everyone involved.
Turnout Boots
Turnout boots are designed for use in the field, offering protection against minor injuries, mud fever, and knocks during turnout. They are lightweight and breathable to keep your horse comfortable while grazing or playing.
When to use turnout boots:
If your horse is prone to leg injuries or mud fever, turnout boots are an excellent preventative measure. However, it’s important not to leave the boots on too long, especially in very hot or very wet weather.
Knee Boots
Knee boots are used to protect a horse’s knees from bumps, scrapes, or injuries. They’re particularly valuable for horses prone to stumbling or during activities with additional risk.
When to use knee boots:
Knee boots are commonly used for driving but are also suitable for hacking on rough or uneven terrain. Some horses, such as police horses, who spend a lot of time working on the roads will wear hoof boots incase of slipping.
Sausage Boots
Sausage boots are circular rubber rings placed around the fetlock to prevent hind legs from striking each other. These are lightweight and simple but highly effective for protecting sensitive areas during specific movements.
When to use sausage boots:
While you don’t see sausage boots that often now, they used to be popular for horses with close movement behind to prevent striking themselves. They have also been used on fronts for horses who strike their front pastern with their hinds.
Supportive or Medical Boots
Stable Boots
Stable boots, or stable wraps, are supportive, quilted boots designed to reduce swelling in the legs while your horse is standing in its stable. They promote better circulation and help prevent “stable legs.”
When to use stable boots:
Stable boots are great for horses that spend long hours in the stable, especially after exercise or during colder weather. They can also be used to keep legs clean in the stable before a show.
Tack Room Essential
I’ve spent enough time over the years dealing with horses on box rest to see the value in a good pair of stable boots. Many of the wrap style designs are supportive enough to stop the legs filling up, preventing the need to bandage legs.
Ice Boots
Ice boots are designed to cool down your horse’s legs after exercise, reducing inflammation and aiding recovery. They are particularly beneficial for preventing or managing soft tissue injuries, such as tendon or ligament strains. These boots typically feature built-in gel packs or spaces for ice inserts, allowing targeted cold therapy.
When to use ice boots:
Ice boots are ideal for use after intense exercise, such as jumping, cross-country, or galloping. They’re also helpful for horses recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions like tendonitis. Using ice boots can help reduce swelling, minimise soreness, and promote faster recovery.
Magnetic/Therapy Boots
Magnetic boots and therapy boots are designed to promote circulation, reduce swelling, and support recovery from injuries or chronic conditions. These boots often use magnets or other therapeutic elements, such as infrared heat, to stimulate blood flow and encourage healing in the legs. They are particularly popular for horses with arthritis, tendon injuries, or other soft tissue issues.
When to use magnetic and therapy boots:
Magnetic and therapy boots are typically used during rest periods in the stable or overnight. They’re ideal for managing chronic conditions like arthritis, aiding recovery after exercise, or supporting the healing process for injuries such as sprains, strains, or tendonitis. These boots can also help reduce stiffness and promote overall leg health.
Tack Room Essential (for older horses)
Just like us, as horses get older, they get stiffer. Most of our horses have to spend at least several hours a day standing in a stable. Therapy boots can be a great tool for helping to reduce them getting stiff in the stable.
Choosing the Right Horse Boots
The type of boots your horse needs depends on its discipline, environment, and specific leg or hoof care requirements. Ensuring a proper fit and keeping the boots clean will prevent discomfort and reduce the risk of injuries. Whether your horse is in the stable, competing, or enjoying turnout, the right boots can make a significant difference in their health and performance.
If you’re still wondering “which boots are best for my horse,” start by considering their daily activities and areas that may need extra protection or support.
Last Updated on 28/04/2026