Every equestrian enthusiast will tell you that there’s a big difference between having and not having horse boots. Good horse boots can protect a horse’s legs from their bones, ligaments, and tendons, all the way down to their hooves.
The hooves always take most of the shock, but a healthy leg absorbs some of that shock on their behalf. Buying the best horse boots means less stress will be put on the hooves, especially when running and jumping.
Choosing the best product for your horse is not an easy task. There are so many options out there, and it can easily get confusing to find what’s right for your horse. This is why we’ve made an effort to narrow the options down and pick from what we believe are the best.
1. Professional’s Choice Sports Medicine Products Front Pair Athletic Wraps
The boots are made of non-neoprene materials that stretch in four directions providing a comfortable experience to your horse while wearing. The materials used are Kevlar-based. They are durable and very elastic and keep their elasticity and shape for a long time.
This pair of front boots will allow your healthy horse to move more freely during different gaits, exercises, and training.
The medicinal purpose of these boots is also excellent for horses that need help recovering from injuries that have already taken place. The boot can support the injured leg whenever they rest or move which will allow the leg to heal faster.
If your horse is experiencing pain when they walk, it will become much more bearable once the boot is snuggly placed. The cooling and venting properties of the boots allow the horse to wear them for long periods without feeling overheated or sweating profusely, even in warmer climates.
Specifications
- Sizes: Small, Medium, and Large
- Colors: White, Black, Charcoal, Crimson, Dragon, Pacific, Navy, Poker, Wine
Pros
- Highly durable
- Amazing cooling properties
- Active wicking; exports moisture very effectively
- Flexible and comfortable
- Can be used for prevention from injuries and as support when in recovery
- Neoprene-free
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Can be a little difficult to maintain
- No custom-made sizes
Overall, the Professional’s Choice Medicine Boots are a great product with active cooling, durability, reliability, and comfort on their positive sides. They excel in providing support to a horse’s lower legs even during more demanding exercise, on rough terrain, and in other stressful movements.
2. STORMER Professional’s Choice Horse Boots
The product is recommended for practice and training, so the producers have trust in their product’s resilience. The boots are designed so that they don’t easily slip like some other products on the market.
The neoprene lining and shock-absorbing foam will protect your horse’s legs from injuries and give a little slack on their hooves. They comfortably fit with most horses, and the materials will provide reasonable cooling and protection from cuts and bruises.
Specifications
- Sizes: Medium, Large, and Extra Large
- Colors: Black, blue, brown
Pros
- Best bang for the buck
- Comfortable
- Durable compared to other products in the same price tier
- Great shock absorption
- Protection from leg injuries and conditions
- Protection from external injuries
- Can be used during exercise and training
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Neoprene can create irritation in the long run
- They are not a top-tier durable
- Does not reduce sweating as other products can
The Professional’s Choice Stormer horse boots are a great option for anyone who’s looking for a quality budget-friendly option. The materials offer flexibility, comfort, protection, and a certain amount of cooling, which is great for protection against injuries and strains on a horse’s legs.
3. Kavallerie Pro-K Horse Tendon Boots
First, there’s shock absorption throughout the leg where the lower leg and hoof is put through the most stress. Risks of split hoofs, ligament, tendon, and bone injuries are increased, and they are rising with the amount of time the horse spends in high-energy activities.
Secondly, other injuries can occur during high-stress performances, such as bruises from interference (when a horse hits its legs during a gallop) and impact (when jumping over obstacles, for example).
The Kavallerie Pro-K Horse Tendon Boots take care of all these inconveniences and risks by providing excellent shock absorption and protection from external injuries, like interference and obstacle-related injuries.
3-D mesh fabric is soft and comfortable, and more importantly, the neoprene material along with the 3-D mesh provides elasticity and good fit all the while keeping the leg cool and evacuating the excess moisture from sweat.
The materials will stay in place even during the heaviest of exercises. The boots are also surprisingly light, so they offer protection for a horse’s ligaments and tendons, and won’t leave your horse feeling restricted.
Specifications
- Sizes: Medium and Large
- Colors: Black and White
Pros
- Great tendon and ligament protection
- Amazing shock absorption
- Mesh fabric offers breathability
- Light and very durable
- Protects from impacts and external injuries
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- On the pricier side
- There are only two sizes
- Only for front legs
4. Professional’s Choice 2xCOOL Medicine Boots 4-pack
A couple of different reasons we chose exactly these: The brrr° textile provides maximum cooling during even hard exercise, which is significant given the double surface area the fabric has contact with the horse.
The “triple chill effect” the fabric produces will instantly draw away the heat and moisture from the
contact surface, so the area is much less likely to overheat and over sweat. The same goes for the protection and aid during injury recovery, and this is exceptionally useful if there are injuries that should be taken care of on more than one leg or hind legs.
Specifications
- Size: N/A
- Color: Black
Pros
- Four boots in a package
- Highly durable
- Amazing cooling properties
- Active wicking; exports moisture very effectively
- Flexible and comfortable
- Can be used for prevention from injuries and as a support during injuries
- Neoprene free
Cons
- It’s an expensive investment
- Waiting for some sizes can take longer
- Lack of color options
5. Harrison Howard Horse Tendon Boots with Open Front & Fetlock 4 piece set
The most important feature of the Harrison Howard tendon boots is that they’re extremely durable. They don’t tear as much compared to similar products. The design of the boots is also extraordinary, giving edge to the horse’s appearance.
The boots are really easy to put on, and they stay in place with double-thick elastic straps with reinforced hooks and loops. The design solution of the straps and closures minimize twists, slips, and slides. Additional buckles allow for fine-tune adjustments so you can be sure they’ll stay in place.
Specifications
- Size: N/A
- Color: Black
Pros
- Very durable and tear-resistant
- Hard outer shell protects from impacts, cuts, and scratches
- Easy to wash (brush and wipe)
- Easy to apply
- No slipping
Cons
- The lower part can be lose and chafe against low obstacles
- Does not offer protection from the front
Buyer’s Guide
Providing your horse with quality horse boots is important, no matter what kind of activity you do together. Be it the slower gaits and short riding sessions or strenuous exercise and training, a horse can use some support and relieve the stress on their lower legs and hoofs.
The problem is that there are many products on the market with great advertising, yet there’s not enough information that compares the results between the products. We’ve tried our best to make the choice easier for you and reviewed the best options for several different scenarios.
What you have to decide for yourself is whether you need protection on a daily basis, for how much strain and stress, and if you only need the best horse boots for the front legs, or the hind legs, as well.
Here is a summary of the products we recommend:
Best For Medicinal Purposes: Professional’s Choice 2xCOOL Front Pair Athletic Wraps
These boots are the best possible choice for anyone who wants to take care of a horse in recovery from a leg injury or a leg condition. In addition to that, you can rest assured that these boots will offer protection from injuries and stress experienced during heavy exercise or training.
The cooling technology will also provide additional comfort and moisture wicking as your horse sweats.
Best Budget Boots: Professional’s Choice Stormer boots
These boots are less costly than other products on the list, and yet they deserved their place in the list for the outstanding performance they’ve shown compared to other products in the same price category. The boots naturally don’t provide as good a performance as other, pricier products, but the bang for the buck is obvious even after the first use.
Best For High-Performance Horses: Kavallerie K-pro tendon boots
If you need protection for your sportish equine friend, you can rely on the Kavallerie K-pro tendon boots for their high durability, great protection of ligaments and tendons, and protection against external impact. These are great for jumping horses and galloping horses that take a lot of stress on their legs during high-performance activities.
4-Product Package: Professional’s Choice 2xCOOL Medicine Boots 4-pack
If you want to provide your equine family member with protection on all four legs, the Professional’s Choice 2xCool 4-pack is the best option. These boots will protect the front legs and hind legs of your beloved riding partner and will help to prevent and heal leg injuries.
The boots will promote the healing and recovery process while not being an annoyance to the horse. The cooling technology in the materials and excellent breathability will make your horse not even notice them.
The Most Durable Boots: Harrison Howard Horse Tendon Boots Open Front 4 Pieces
If you’re looking for very durable, heavy-duty boots, the Harrison Howard tendon boots are the best boots you can purchase. They come in sets of four, protecting all four legs. The strong outer shell will protect against impact, cuts, and chafes. They’re especially useful if your horse hits its front legs with its hind hooves while running.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is more to the seemingly simple topic of horse boots than meets the eye. We hope you have found the best horse boots for you and your horse, and that you feel more confident about making the purchase. Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions. Stay safe, folks!