mulesuk

How cool would she look in these....

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/ ... ode=SBC415

Mulesuk you are a seriously bad influence on me!!! Have seen these before in in a less good photo.... the purple ones would look so cool.... I have a hot pink western saddle pad and 4-set of the new SMB III hot pink boots all ready for her.........

Me Want the black and yellow flames please

Very Flashy.I hate to think what Malaga would say if I presented him with a pair...probly only last five minutes in the mud on our bridlepath anyway.
What are Sports boots?

Sports Boots = either the Professionals choice "sports medicine boots" or a whole host of copies now (Roma and Premier equine do nice ones) - neoprene, non rigid, with wraparound piece around the fetlock. Supposedly supports the suspensory ligament but a piece of neoprene is unlikely to support 500kg of horse. Still, they do apparently aid in proprioception and minor knocks.

The original kind are pricey and pick up muck easily hence vogue for initially waterproof covers and now, evidently, novelty ones! (or you can just throw them in the washing machine...!)

Thanks elkay....another thing they didn't seem to need when I first learnt to ride in the 60's.
IF I needed them I think flashy covers to annoy "Them wot does it Proper" would be great

It was exercise bandages in the 60's. I am old enough to remember

Jinglejoys, I am not sure if you have a problem with the concept of equines wearing "protective" boots or the idea of accessorising ones equine, but I would like to take this opportunity to comment on either...

I retain my scepticism about the lavish claims made regarding boots (did you not spot the sarcasm in my post about the laughable idea that a strip of neoprene can support a 500kg horse with the fetlock in full extension?) but at the same time let us not forget that the 1960s was 40 years ago, and the life expectancy and average *working* life of the average horse in the UK has increased since then.

So perhaps you should not be to quick to hold all things of your childhood on a pedestal...... something in the overall package has improved and it isn't due to knowledgeable owners, as it is the said the knowledge of owners has decreased. It will no doubt be an unidentifiable combination of changes in healthcare, feeding, work, tack, preventative measures etc etc etc.

A healthy scepticism yet with sufficient open mindedness to adopt those developments that *are* actually useful is surely called for. Rejecting out of hand just because things were different when one was a child (or, worse, just because it has become mainstream) is just plain daft.

But hell, do you have a problem with the concept that some people actually might have a laugh accessorising their equine? Is one not allowed to have a little fun, so long as the animal is not harmed? Life is too short to be dead pan serious about ones leisure activities!

I *fully* accept that not everyone chooses to do so but I reserve the right to have a chuckle if I put my creatures into a crazy coloured outfit. They don't care, and it makes me laugh.

Incidentally, I discussed the boot issue with a lecturer in equine physiotherapy who was the one of the opinion that the increased proprioceptive feedback was potentially useful. I choose to accept her professional opinion. So yes, my animals are worked in front boots. And yes, I like buying visually nice accessories for them. Luckily, outrageous coloured things are usually left on the shelf as I flatly refuse to pay full price for any equine shopping and you can get truly outrageous coloured things at equestrianclearance.com!

There's more than one way to skins cats, and there's more than one way to consider absolutely everything to do with equines. Neither me - nor you - will have everything right. Let us not forget to respect one another on this forum. And that includes the likelihood that "them that do everything proper" may in some instances end up being absolutely right; and in some instances you will be right' and in some instances I will be right; etc. I wasn't aware that anyone had the monopoly on being God's gift to the furthering of regard for horses/mules/donkeys or anything else.

Cheerio

Whoops! Emotional fitness lacking somewhat there! What bought that on?!
Not holding anything in my childhood on a Pedistal in fact I'm trying to forget a lot of it I can't remember rejecting anything out of hand .
Don't have any trouble with people accesorising their equines either,heck I've got two green saddles and drive blue in a saddlecharriot and prefer coloured tack to leather.I did say I quite liked them,just didn't think they would last long in the mud out riding and where on earth you got the idea of my having the "monopoly on being God's gift to the furthering of regard for horses/mules/donkeys or anything else." I haven't the faintest

Gawd, sorry. Lesson to self. I MUST NOT play on the computer when sleep deprived!

Didn't get home till after 2am (work busy) and didn't sleep well and then couldn't sleep in either.

I am a total, utter harridan when sleep deprived. I shall whip myself to sleep and in fact remove mattress and sleep on floor in pennance for disgraceful behaviour in a public forum.

I have read your post again and only then did it occur to me you might have meant it as an ironic reflection rather than having a go at me for using boots on my horses. Go on enlighten me which it was, cos I genuinely don't know. I'm off to bed!

Don't worry about it I know your worried about your Moon
I was being Ironic
Go and have some sleep,I'm going to if I can manage to get some bed space with two Giant Schnauzers and seven pesky kittens trying to take over.I was supposed to have tomorrow off but the boss said I could leave early today if I would work tomorrow.....think I got caught out there but maths was never my good point

PMSL

Ok back to the 60's - Yorkshire boots - I tried to get some for my mare when I broke her in and ended up making my own, can you get ready made ones nowadays?

O.K. did a quick search and look at all these types!!!!!!!

Boots in brief



Brushing boots – padded on the inside to protect horses whose legs brush together.


Fetlock boots – a shorter version of the brushing boot.


Heel boots – protect the area under the fetlock and the point of the fetlock (the ergot). Combined brushing and heel boots are useful.


Ring boots – used on horses who move too close behind. Usually, only one boot is used.


Yorkshire boots – thick cloth boots fastened with tape, usedon horses whose interference is only slight.


Speedicut boots – longer version of the brushing boot.


Polo boots – toughened brushing boots that often extend over the pastern and coronet.


Overreach boots – bell-shaped boots that fit over the coronet and heel.


Travelling boots – all-in-one boots which extend from hock to heel for use when travelling.


Knee boots – available in two designs, for exercise or travelling.

Took a bit of searching but I found some here
http://www.willowfarm.org.uk/prod01.htm

Shires Yorkshire Boots £ 4.10
You might be able to get them direct from Shires or at least look in their catalogue to check they are what you want

Thanks. We are not riding her at the moment due to the foal but it is nice to know where I can get them from. I am a sad person but you could start a reference library with my collection of equine books and the hundreds of boots available over the years..... well lets just say some are best consigned to the scrap heap. I noticed that weighted boots for showjumpers are coming back as mainstream tack!