Yes it`s true, another horse review. Well horses have incredibly large wardrobes. Is there any end to their requirements (or me putting my hand in my pocket)?. Brushing boots are boots that help prevent injury when the horse brushes. Brushing is caused by either conformation, when the legs are close together, they may rub together every now and again. Or, young horses may brush sometimes as they are unbalanced generally when they are young. Horses may be more likely to brush when doing fast work, or work on uneven ground. They may even brush when they are running around the field. Whilst some horses are more prone to brushing than others, most will have a slight injury at one time due to knocking themself with their own leg. Horses wear metal shoes which can cause injury it they knock themselves with their shoe. Generally it is their fetlocks rubbing together (ankles). Brushing boots are available in lots of equestrian makes. Prolite is a company but it is also the material that they use to make their products. They make a variety of boots as well as a variety of saddle pads and roller pads and leg pads as well as back supports for people.
Brushing boots are sold in pairs and are used on the lower part of the horse`s leg to protect against injury, caused by brushing. They are more commonly used on the hind legs, some people will use them on all four. They have a thicker pad at the inside, known as the strike pad as that is the area that is more likely to receive a blow to it. The boots wrap around the entire leg. They are secured either by buckles or velcro, velcro obviously being the easiest. Prolite boots have velcro straps The advantages of Prolite Brushing Boots. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Prolite is a material widely used in the horse world. The company, Prolite sells Prolite already made into boots, or as I have already mentioned, saddle pads, leg pads etc. Although they are the company, purchasers will always know the material of the product that they are buying - Prolite!. Prolite is very tough and lightweight. The brushing boots are made so that they are easy to put on. They are shaped to fit the horse`s legs and are quick to do up with the simple velcro fastenings. The boots are already shaped, but they mould very quickly to the horse`s legs. The boots have a double layer prolite on the striking pad (though most makes of boots have a thicker striking pad). I have been satisfied with them. I have used other prolite products and they are good.
I have always found Prolite products to be quite expensive, though they are quality. The brushing boots are £34 a pair. This makes it quite expensive if you need all 4, though good quality horse boots are expensive. The boots offer quite good protection against brushing. They may sometimes slip slightly, but I feel that this is when I have not put them on tightly enough. I find that Prolite does not dry that quickly. If the boots get wet, they are not quick drying, but, to be fair, most boots are not. They do not hold water though. I have found with other Prolite products though, they are not quick drying though not relevant in this review. My main criticism is the cost compared with other brushing boots.
Do they come out of my horse`s wardrobe often? # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
No they don`t. Brushing boots are not used for a specific discipline and they may not be needed every day. Some horse owners are more inclined to use boots than others, I tend not to, though I always do for jumping. Brushing boots are not suitable for jumping (except maybe the hind but fetlock boots are more commonly used behind for jumping). For cross country jumping, the boots required are more robust to offer maximum protection. The protection is needed all round, but more protection is needed than offered by brushing boots. The tendons need to be protected to prevent the horse from cutting into themselves. Show jumping requires a different type of boot. Open fronted boots are worn on the front for this and fetlock boots behind. The reason for this is that the horse`s tendons need to be protected but the front does not need to be. As show jumps can be knocked down, it is no good protecting the fronts of the legs, as it can discourage horses from picking up their front feet. They don`t care if they knock the pole as it will fall down, which is not what is wanted. Brushing boots are suitable for pleasure rides, but I have found that little bits can work their way under the boots and cause irritation. I have found this with sand on beach rides and with small twigs on rides through woods. I often find it better then to not use boots. Brushing boots can be used for hacking. My horses don`t tend to brush, even my youngster, so I tend not to use them for riding. I do tend to use for lunging or sometimes schooling. The horse is more likely to knock themselves when on a circle. Lunging is a form of exercise for the horse where they go around an a circle. Some people will use brushing boots to turn the horse out in the field. I don`t do this. This is used more commonly on extremely valuable horses, or horses that have limited turnout, so are more likely to career around and knock themselves. Mine are turned out every day, so this is not necessary. So no, mine don`t come out that often, only really for lunging.
Generally I recommend prolite products. I think the brushing boots are as good quality as other prolite products. I do think they are expensive though in comparison to other brushing boots. Prolite are good quality, but I think for brushing boots, it is not necesary to spend as much. This is my personal view point as I do not use brushing boots very often. For someone who used them every day, Prolite would be a good option as they are hard wearing and quality. I went through a phase of buying lots of prolite as it is good. If I ever needed another pair of brushing boots, I probably would not buy prolite. Brushing boots are available cheaply and offer just as much protection as the prolite. I think from a comfort point of view, prolite are more superior than some of the cheaper brands, but overall, if they are only used occassionally, cheaper ones suffice. Whilst I do recommend Prolite Brushing boots, I probably would buy a cheaper brand next time. I have only given them 3 stars as I know I would not buy them again. I would however still use other prolite products and would still recommend.
Availability. # # # # # #
Most saddlers sell prolite products and they are available on the internet and equestrian catalogues.
Prolite products can be seen on www.prolitepads.com
Here is a photo of me and my horse on a beach ride, as you can see, he does not have brushing boots on.
