Travel boots are worn for when the horse is in transit. They are used to protect the lower leg. Some people use bandages over gamgee, some people use velcro fastening travel boots and some people don`t bother. Boots can make some horses panic, so some do travel better without them. Horses can become unbalanced in transit though so it is probably sensible to protect them against cuts or injury.
Travelling. * * * * * * * *
It is important to plan before transporting your horse. Horses can become reluctant, or near on impossible to load if they are upset by something. If you treat loading them in a calm manner from the start, then hopefully the experience will not be a bad one. Make sure that everything is ready prior to loading your horse, because you don`t want to make them fed up standing in the trailer or lorry waiting, if you have forgotten something. Make the experience as pleasant as possible. I have a trailer, but some people have a lorry. Make sure the trailer is ready for the horse before you bring it around to load. It is better if you can, to park in an alleyway or by a wall to reduce the chance of them running out and causing potential problems later on. Of course, once the horse is an experienced loader, it will not be necessary to park by a wall, just in the early stages (as long as you do not encounter any problems). Make sure there is straw down and it is nice and inviting. Of course, rubber matting does not necessarily require straw, but from experience, it is much easier to remove droppings if straw is down as the mats are lined (lined as in lines on them). Also move the partition over to make more room for the horse, closing it as they are in. Whether you hang up a haynet or not is your choice and dependant on the length of journey. I have known a horse recently ingest hay eaten whilst on the move which was quite serious. The vet didn`t advise them eating on the move so I don`t tend to bother for short journeys, but give them some when we reach the destination. The horse may require a travel rug, dependant on the weather (not if it is a hot day). They will need ideally a leather headcollar and a trailer tie to tie them to (again ideally). And lets not forget the travel boots. Before loading the horse, allow them time to get used to the travel boots. The last thing you want to do is load them while they are wondering what on earth is on their legs. It can take a while to get used to them.
Travel Boots. * * * * * * * * * *
Travel boots or trucking boots as some people call them, come in different styles. The Masta Travel Boots are a good style in my opinion. Generally speaking the boots cover the lower leg. Some extend below the coronet band and above the hock and knee, while some don`t so select your boots carefully. The coronet is the band around the top of the hoof which can be quite sensitive if knocked. The hock is on the hind leg and of course the knee on the front leg, are all points that may need protecting.
Masta Travel Boots. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Masta Travel Boots are excellent value for money at £28.99 for a set of 4 (2 front and 2 hind). The price even includes a matching tailguard. The boots are available in pony, cob and full sizes and come in aubergine, black, blue navy and pink. The boots are constructed from a tough 1200 denier polyester fabric outer and a soft, fleece lining. The fastenings are velcro and simple, I like this. The back boots are longer than the front ones, given the shape of the leg. The hinds are easy to put on as you can see the pointed shape of the hock. I find it easier to put the boot in place, by lining up the point that goes on the hock and them do up the velcro. The same with the fronts, the higher bit goes over the knee and yes, they can bend their knee because of the folds and cuts in the boot allowing for movement. The material is fairly thick, offers good coverage and are easy to put on. Most importantly, they are excellent value for money. Similar boots can be around £50.
Using them. * * * * * * * * * *
As already explained, the boots are easy to put on. They cover the legs well. If the horse moves, which they tend to , especially on the hinds, the velcro straps can be quickly undone and done up again. That is what is so good about these straps. For some reason the horse often lifts its hind legs when fitting the boots. For this reason they need to quick to do up and easy to alter. It is sometimes necessary to quickly do one strap up before it has chance to fall off and then alter it. I have found the boots to slip a bit sometimes. They really are a good fit, but after washing them in the machine a few times, they lose some of their `stiffness`, which helps them to remain in situ. My horse has trodden on them also, pulling off some of the trim. You need to make sure they are on really securely to try to avoid this.
My friend thought of this at the yard. Well she didn`t think of it, just used the saying after watching, was it Monty Python or John Cleese? I can`t quite remember but it used to amuse me. She used the phrase to describe my horse. Actually, she uses it for every horse who walks in a strange manner. Why? When you put travel boots on a horse (they also do it with hind fetlock boots), they lift their hind legs in a really exagerated fashion for at least 15 paces, before walking normally again. This is why you should not just put them on and load. Of course, they are not designed for walking, so don`t walk too far, just get them used it. Even seasoned wearers of travel boots may do this, but once they have worn them, they know what to expect. They still often decide to practice for the `ministry`.
To Use or Not to Use? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It is personal preference really but some people just don`t like using anything. If your horse travels alright, there probalby won`t be a problem. There is always a possibility though. When I went to collect my new 4 year old which was last August, I took travel boots down to put on. The people that I bought her from were not keen on me putting them on as she hadn`t worn any previously. She had only been in a trailer once (and required a bit of persuasion), so the boots would have been too much stimulus as she was not used to them. You want to get them used to one new thing at a time so that they can take it in their stride. She travelled well and got home safely. Some people use bandages as they are more secure and less likely to slip. Also, they are not as bulky as travel boots.
So I recommend? * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you are going to use travel boots, these are worth having. The price is so good and don`t forget the tail guard is included (in most adverts). The boots are farily robust. They may not be as sturdy as some of the £50, £60 boots, but they certainly do the job.
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