Why Leg Protection Matters (and When It Doesn't)

On a smallholding, your horse's legs face a daily obstacle course: stony tracks, rutted gateways, flinty bridleways and mud. Add jumping or fast work, and the risk of a strike or overreach rises. Boots and bandages act as a physical barrier, absorbing impact. But used wrongly, they trap heat, rub skin or mask a problem. Match the kit to the job, and know when to leave legs bare.

Tendon Boots: For Jumping and Fast Work

Tendon boots protect the front legs, though hind versions exist. A hard shell over the back of the cannon shields the digital flexor tendons from strikes by the hind hooves. Open-fronted designs let air circulate and let the horse feel a pole. Look for breathable lining and secure double or triple straps. Use them for showjumping, cross-country, fast canter work and anything where hind legs come close to the front. Never use them for turnout or stable rest. Check fit: below the knee, above the fetlock. Remove straight after work and feel for heat or swelling.

Brushing Boots: Everyday Defence Against Interference

Brushing boots cover the cannon all the way round, protecting against brushing – where the opposite hoof strikes the inside of the leg – and minor knocks. They are the workhorse of rural riding. Use them for flatwork, hacking on uneven ground, lungeing and young or unbalanced horses. On a smallholding, they are ideal when moving livestock or riding through stubble. Look for breathable materials; a boot that holds sweat can cause rubs and fungal issues in wet British weather. Check for grit, wash regularly and never overtighten. If your horse brushes behind, use them behind too.

Exercise Bandages: Tradition, Technique and Risk

Exercise bandages – polo bandages – are fleece or elastic lengths applied over a pad such as gamgee. They offer support, warmth and protection from minor knocks, but demand excellent technique. An unevenly applied bandage creates pressure points that damage tendons. Too loose, it slips; too tight, it restricts blood flow. The traditional method: start below the knee, work down over the fetlock, back up, overlapping by half the width, and finish with tape. Even then, research shows bandages trap heat. Tendons operate best within a narrow temperature range, and overheating can weaken tissue over time. Many veterinary physiotherapists now advise using bandages only for short, low-intensity sessions in cool weather. If unsure, ask an instructor to check your technique. For fast work or hot days, choose ventilated boots.

The Overheating Question: Heat, Mud and Common Sense

The biggest mistake is leaving boots or bandages on for too long. Tendons have poor blood supply compared with muscle, so they rely on movement and airflow to stay cool. A tight bandage or thick, non-breathable boot can raise the temperature inside the leg by several degrees. Over months, that contributes to tendon degeneration. Think duration. A twenty-minute schooling session in winter is very different from a two-hour hack in July. On hot days, consider going without boots for slow work on good ground. If you do use protection, choose open-fronted or mesh-vented designs. Remove everything as soon as you finish, sponge sweaty legs, and check for rubs. Mud is another factor: grit trapped under a boot acts like sandpaper. Rinse and dry boots after every use, and never put damp boots on a clean leg. If your horse has a tendon injury, follow your vet's advice – do not rely on boots to support healing.

A Practical Yard Routine for Smallholders

Every horse and yard is different, so use this as a starting point:

• Quiet hack: breathable brushing boots on the front legs.
• Jumping: tendon boots in front, plus overreach boots for the heels.
• Fast work on grass or all-weather: tendon boots and hind brushing boots.
• Flatwork or lungeing: brushing boots all round.

Reserve exercise bandages for a short, cool-weather session where you want warmth and support, and only if your technique is sound. Build a boot bag with clean, dry kit for each discipline. Check straps and linings weekly. Remember that the best protection is a fit, well-fed horse working within its fitness. Used wisely, boots and bandages reduce risk without replacing good judgement.