Skip to content
Sign Up for Newsletter
Get Unlimited Access
Facebook-f Twitter Pinterest-p Instagram Youtube
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Topics
    Breeding and Reproduction

    Horse breeding from planning through foal care

    Hoof Care

    Prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot

    Nutrition

    Proper feeding practices for foals, adult horses, and older horses

    Welfare and Industry

    Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends

    Diseases and Conditions

    Horse-heath-problem risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

    Horse Care

    How to care for the basic health needs of horses

    Sports Medicine

    All aspects of caring for performance horses

    All Topics
    Farm and Barn

    Design and maintain a healthy horse operation

    Lameness

    Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness

    Vet and Professional

    News and issues for equine health professionals

  • Magazine
    The Horse 2025: Older Horse

    Cover Story

    Aging Metabolic Horses--What Do They Need?

    Age can complicate managing already tricky metabolic disorders in horses. 

    Also in this Issue

    • Keeping the School Horse Sound and Healthy
    • Equine Health Emergencies: Plan Ahead for Best Outcomes
    • Equine Metabolic Syndrome Facts
    • Case Study: Keeping the Older Show Horse Competitive
    • Feeding to Avoid or Reduce Inflammation
    • Balancing Work and Rest for Horses’ Long-Term Soundness
    • A Hoof for the Ages
    • Recognizing Vision Problems in Horses
    Digital Edition
    Give a Gift
    Subscribe
    Manage My Subscription
  • News

    Latest News

    Caring for Young Horse Joints

    AAEP Kester News Hour: Highlights in Equine Genetics and Neck Lesions

    Wisconsin Filly Positive for Strangles

    North Carolina Horse Tests Positive for Strangles

    2 Strangles Cases Confirmed in Maryland

    2 Michigan Horses Test Positive for Strangles

    More News

    Disease Alerts


    EDCC Health Watch

    Event Coverage

    2024 AAEP Convention

    2024 EquiSUMMIT

    2024 Olympics

     

  • Features

    Latest Features

    Equine Metabolic Syndrome

    Equine Metabolic Syndrome

    April 30, 2025

    Managing Your Performance Horse’s Joints

    April 9, 2025

    Additional Features

    Understanding, Recognizing, and Managing Pain in Horses

    How Much Does It Cost to Own a Horse?

    Dealing With Equine Colic: Here are 33 Do’s and Don’ts

    Promoting Longevity in Performance Horses

    Everything You Need to Know About Laminitis in Horses

    All Features
  • Q&As

    Latest Q&A

    2018 KER Conference; Caring for Senior Horses: What to Remember

    Vitamin Supplementation for Old Horses

    May 5, 2025

    Equine Nutrition FAQ Series

    Sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition

    Learn More

    Q&As

    Equine Behavior

    Our animal behavior experts field your questions about why your horse does XYZ.

    Horse Nutrition

    Equine nutritionists respond to queries about forage, grain, supplements, and other related topics.

    Performance Horse Health

    Veterinarians and researchers tackle questions about equine athletes.

  • Visuals

    Featured Media:

    Identifying and Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS); diagnosing insulin dysregulation in horses; EMS Horse; top podcasts of 2018

    Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses—More Than Laminitis

    equine metabolic syndrome

    Equine Metabolic Syndrome Facts

    Quick Links

    Webcasts
    Infographics
    Slideshows
  • Podcasts

    Featured Podcasts

    longeing bay horse

    Caring for Young Horse Joints

    lameness exam

    Equine Innovators: Improving Joint Health in Horses With Orthobiologics

    Podcasts

    Ask 'TheHorse' Live

    The Horse’s experts answer your questions during a monthly live audio event.

    Equine Innovators

    Join us as we interview leading equine researchers from the University of Kentucky.

    All Podcasts
  • Free Reports

    Fact Sheet: Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)

    Fact Sheet: EPM

    Fact Sheet: Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) in Horses

    Free Reports:

    View All Free Reports

    Quick referenced of horse conditions, diseases and health topics

    Forms

    Checklists and identification forms for horse owners

  • Tools
    Equine Vital Signs Interactive

    Normal Horse Vital Signs and Health Indicators

    Mare Gestation Calculator

    Adult Horse Weight Calculator

    Additional Resources

    Event Calendar
    Horse Health Glossary
    Get-A-DVM
    New Products
    Polls
    TheHorse.com en Español
  • StableManagement.com
  • Topics
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Features
  • Commentaries
  • Visuals
  • Podcasts
  • Free Reports
  • Tools
  • Shop
  • StableManagement.com
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Login
    • Register
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine

Leg and Hoof Protection

  • May 21, 2014
  • Posted by The Horse Staff
Are you confused about the difference between a splint and a sports medicine boot? No wonder! Horse leg and hoof protection come in a variety of types and styles. Learn what each kind does in this slideshow.
  • Topics: Slideshow
Share
Favorite
Please login to bookmark Close

Please login to access.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shipping Boots

When hauling a horse, it's advisable to apply shipping boots or bandages for support and protection, plus bell boots to cover the coronary band and heel bulb. | Photo: Jannay Hitesman

Sport Boot or Glove

A sport boot or glove encompasses the entire foot and is designed to replace a shoe for trail and endurance sports. | Photo: Susan Kordish/Cowgirl Photography

Dressage Boots

Dressage boots are a variation of brushing boots, typically equipped with a comfortable lining that promotes airflow. | Photo: Michelle N. Anderson, TheHorse.com Digital Managing Editor

Open-front Boots

Open-front boots, sometimes called tendon boots, are frequently used by hunter and jumper riders. These boots are open in the front and cover the back and sides of the leg to protect the horse's tendons and ligaments. | Photo: Photos.com

Layered Polo Wraps

Polo wraps provide general leg protection for horses of any discipline. The polos pictured cover a white underwrap, which offers added cushion. | Photo: Michelle N. Anderson, TheHorse.com Digital Managing Editor

Splint Boots

Splint or brushing boots are designed to protect the leg between the front knee and fetlock, and the hind hock and fetlock. | Photo: Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor

Sports Medicine Boots

These boots typically extend from below the knee or hock past the fetlock and are designed to absorb more concussion than a bandage. | Photo: Jennifer Whittle, TheHorse.com Web Producer

Skid Boots

Skid boots are most prevalent in western disciplines. A trainer might outfit a reining horse's rear fetlocks with skid boots to protect against the burn of sliding stops. | Photo: Jennifer Whittle, TheHorse.com Web Producer

Equine Comfort Boots

Comfort boots help support horses with laminitis or other painful hoof diseases. | Photo: Courtesy Soft-Ride Boots

Bell Boots

Also called overreach boots, bell boots are worn on the front feet to protect the horse’s heels and prevent injury or shoe-pulling if the horse oversteps with its hind legs. | Photo: Jennifer Whittle, TheHorse.com Web Producer

Standing Wraps

Standing wraps are applied for support and to reduce inflammation in the limbs. | Photo: Erica Larson, News Editor

Share

The Horse Staff

The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care is an equine publication providing the latest news and information on the health, care, welfare, and management of all equids.
MORE ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
PrevPreviousCalifornia Man Arrested in Missing Horses Case
NextHow Often Do Young Horses Need Hoof Care?Next

Related Articles

2022 Best Barn Dog Contest: Editors’ Picks

Common Equine Skin Conditions

2021 “Itchy Horse Challenge” Contest: Editors’ Picks

2021 ‘My Horse is Worth Protecting’ Contest: Editor’s Picks

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Learn More

Sponsored Content

Identifying and Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS); diagnosing insulin dysregulation in horses; EMS Horse; top podcasts of 2018
Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses—More Than Laminitis
4CYTE Horse - Epitalis Forte
Ask a Pro: 4CYTE™ for Horses: Why Early Joint Care Matters  
FoalinPasture-iStock
Feeding Programs for Orphan Foals
No posts found

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

What’s the biggest challenge you face when bringing your horse back into work after winter?
84 votes · 84 answers
VOTEView poll results
View All Polls

Readers’ Most Popular

longeing bay horse
Caring for Young Horse Joints
1-WesternHorseinArena--Nichole-Chirico-8D2A7235-(1)
Mares in Heat: What’s Normal, What’s Not?
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Hyperflexion_AdobeStock_286300566
Researchers Review the Effects of Hyperflexion on Horse Welfare
No posts found

Top Categories

  • Breeding and Reproduction
  • Nutrition
  • Horse Care
  • Hoof Care
  • Diseases and Conditions
  • Vet and Professional
Partners in Equine Health
AAEVT Logo
World Equine Veterinary Association logo
AAEP logo
BEVA logo
International Association of Professional Farriers logo
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis logo

Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

Follow us

Youtube Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter

Our Sites

  • A Home For Every Horse
  • American Cowboy
  • Barrel Racing Magazine
  • Breakaway Roping Journal
  • Calf Roping
  • EQUUS
  • Haul Safe
  • Hope In The Saddle
  • Horse & Rider
  • Practical Horseman
  • Stable Management
  • Team Roping Journal
  • The Horse
  • US Rider
  • US Roper
  • A Home For Every Horse
  • American Cowboy
  • Barrel Racing Magazine
  • Breakaway Roping Journal
  • Calf Roping
  • EQUUS
  • Haul Safe
  • Hope In The Saddle
  • Horse & Rider
  • Practical Horseman
  • Stable Management
  • Team Roping Journal
  • The Horse
  • US Rider
  • US Roper

Resources

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Freelance Info
  • Help
  • Horse Radio Network
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Freelance Info
  • Help
  • Horse Radio Network

Company

  • Meet the Staff
  • Mission Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Community Policy
  • Advertise with Us
  • Meet the Staff
  • Mission Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Community Policy
  • Advertise with Us
Your Privacy Choices
Data Subject Access Request
Cookie Consent
Privacy Policy
Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.
  • RSS feed
  • Site Map
  • Privacy
  • EquineNetwork.com
  • RSS feed
  • Site Map
  • Privacy
  • EquineNetwork.com
Copyright ©2025 Equine Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without written permission of Equine Network, LLC is prohibited. THE HORSE, THE HORSE logo, THEHORSE.com and THEHORSE.com logo are trademarks of Equine Network, LLC.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site you consent to cookies. Learn more

Sign In

Lost your password?

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Password*

Profile

Do you own a horse?
Do you own a horse trailer?
Do you own a horse farm?
In which equestrian disciplines do you ride, show, or participate?

Newsletter Offers

Weekly Newsletters
Monthly Newsletters
Other Newsletters
By clicking "subscribe", I consent to Equine Network’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service and I represent that I am over 16 years old.
The Horse
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.