Boots and bandages are made to protect the horse’s limbs. Or so we are told. But have you ever asked yourself why or how they protect a horse’s leg? We sed out to investigate the specific purpose and function of equine boots and bandages based on existing research in the field.

Bandages and boots are mainly sold as ‘protective gear’, meaning that they intend to support the lower leg, limit torsion and/or protect the limb from trauma coming from the surface the horse is performing on, from external objects like bars, or brushing from another limb.

You might be surprised to learn that there’s very little research as to what is going on under the bandage or boot when first applied to the horse´s leg. It’s research field that still needs lots of “padding” and extra “layers” before we can fully understand it. Yet we want to attempt to provide you with an overview of the existing research.

The limbs of a horse are the most common place for injuries with the lower limbs (below the knee) known to be more common than the upper limbs. The forelegs are also more likely to be injured than the hind legs. One of the things that enable the horse to be so athletic, to move quickly, and jump so well, is how the leg is constructed. The limbs are long and slender so that they can move quickly. Most of the muscles are close to the body so that the leg can rapidly accelerate through the air.
In other words; the leg of a horse is designed to be aerodynamic. But this design means that there is very little soft tissue to cushion the impacts on the front of the lower leg, for example when striking a jump or being brushed by a hind leg. These impacts can in worst case cause damage to the bones, joints, or tendons.

Heat can be damaging

An Austrian study, focusing on the heat development underneath the bandage or boot, concludes that the skin temperature increases dramatically when using bandages or boots compared to a bare leg. After exercising with a bare leg, the average maximum temperature was 14ºC, with a bandage 25ºC and with tendon boot 21ºC

Tightness can be a problem

“Covering the legs with this kind of equipment causes a temperature increase of up to 30%, probably due to heat being trapped inside the equipment.”
Source: Austrian study.

Some research indicates that riders have a tendency to tighten the boots too much. Maybe because of fear that they will get twisted or fall off when riding, in which case they are likely either designed poorly or ill-fitting in general. Some people say they put them on tight to give more support to the soft tissue structures such as the tendons or the joints, which is actually supported by some of the companies producing equine boots and bandages. However, there is minimal evidence suggesting that boots provide support for these parts of the horse’s leg. Instead, a boot may reduce the flexibility of a joint and potentially move the load from one structure to another, which may not be optimal. 

Another problem stemming from overly tight boots is the presence of rubbing injuries or swellings. This may cause discomfort for the horse. So appropriately designed boots have the potential to protect the lower leg from cuts and bruises, but they should not be overly tightened, otherwise choose a better fit for your horse.

Increasing the quality of the gaits

A popular trend in the dressage world these days is to wrap bandages around the leg and all the way up to the knee. It is said to increase the horse’s lift while in the swing phase, and thereby increasing the quality of the gaits. But is that true? 

According to dr. Lesley Hawson, University of Sidney, some riders say that the mere presence of a bandage or boot creates an increased flexion while in the swing phase.
“But although the pastern area seems to be particularly sensitive to tactile stimulation the research suggests that the flexion does not increase overall and therefore does not improve limb movement in terms of what is required in dressage," Hawson explains.

In summary, horses have lived in nature forever without leg coverings. And even though there is an increased risk of bumps and bruises arising on horses being without leg protection worked in modern day ways, there is also sufficient evidence that some types of leg coverings may also contribute to damage to the limb which they are supposed to protect. Maybe using legwear when turning out the horses may have a more relevant purpose? 

Boots may offer some extra protection against trauma and are easier to apply, whereas improper application (over-tightening!) of bandages may quickly result in rubs or loss of blood supply. So, a proper fit and adjustment is essential. Also, dirt may be collected between the boot and the skin, resulting in skin irritation, scientists say.

Make sure that the boots fit your horse. Not all horse legs are the same!

Use leg protection that allows air to circulate and sweat to evaporate.

Use lightweight boots and be aware of the increased weight if they become wet.

Be careful not to over-tightening the boots or bandages. This may restrict the blood supply or cause a bigger load on other parts of the leg, increasing the risk of injury.

• “Influence of support boots on fetlock joint angle of the forelimb of the horse at walk and trot” by Kicker et.al. 2019 in Equine Veterinary Journal.
• “Effect of a bandage or tendon boot on skin temperature of the metacarpus at rest and after exercise in horses” by Westermann et al. 2014 in American Journal of Veterinary Research.
• Dr. Lesley Hawson via Eurodressage.com.
• Scientific and Equine Consultant David Marlin.

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By Laura Sofie Krebs

Any weight added will require an increased effort on the part of the horse caring this extra weight. And furthermore, weight added at the end of the limbs will have a greater impact than weight carried in the saddle area. The reason for this is that the limbs, like the legs, move faster than the main body. As mentioned earlier, all soft tissue is placed close to the bone for aerodynamic purposes. In other words: all unnecessary weight has naturally been removed, so the horse can move faster. 

A research conducted on racehorses shows that horses shoed with ordinary steel shoes (weighing 260 g each) use significantly more energy than horses shoed with racing plates (80 g each). The reason for this increased use of energy is that the horse must work harder to pull the limb off the ground into the swing phase of the stride and again to control the weighted leg while it is in flight. So, the weight of a boot can have a notable effect on the horse’s use of energy.

Extra weight requires more energy

Going out for a few jumps in the arena? Buckle on the brushing boots. Heading for a haul in the trailer? Strap on those well-padded, hock-high transport boots. Or doing for a quick dressage training after work? Put on those bandages that match the saddle pad, and you are good to go.
It’s what we’ve seen other people do; it’s what we’ve been taught to do; it’s simply what we know to do. But why exactly do we do it? Of course, the short answer is ‘protection’. But have you ever asked yourself why or how these dressings protect a horse’s leg—or if they even do? What’s going on under that boot or wrap? Let´s find out.

4 tips when using boots or bandages

The team behind the study found that exercising without boots led to very little temperature increase in the legs compared to the covered legs. While boots and wraps might have some tendon-warming benefits on very cold days, the temperature increase could be damaging to tendons in certain situations. 

The problem with thick bandages is that the large tendons running down the back of the horse’s legs get very hot during physical work. The horse is very efficient at dissipating heat during exercise, but this system is disrupted if it´s wearing coverings on it´s legs that prevent heat loss during and after strenuous exercise. The cells making up the tendons seem to withstand high temperatures over short periods of time (Birch et al, 1997) such as during a canter. But the research finds that it´s possible they are more vulnerable to injury, including strain if they are prevented from cooling down quickly.

Boots used on horses should cover the inside and back of the leg but can be open over the front of the cannon to facilitate heat dispersion. The ideal leg covering for the exercising the horse would be light, resistant to penetration by sharp objects, and able to protect the leg from concussive forces. It would promote effective heat transfer away from the soft tissue structures in the distal limb and prevent hyperextension beyond the fetlock’s normal range of motion. 

Again, bandages and heavier boots will retain more heat than lighter boots. Many modern boots now incorporate vents or mesh to encourage heat loss. So that is one thing you need to look at, when buying equine legwear.

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