Brushing boots protect the horse's legs from external impact, especially from contact with its own hooves. Which boot makes sense depends on the intended use, the coverage needed, and the features of the individual model.
EQUEST offers various types of leg protection – from lightweight, breathable mesh boots and padded models to boots with a sturdy TPU or hard shell construction.
Brushing Boots for Daily Training
For daily training, a good fit, low weight, and breathability can play an important role.
The EQUEST Air Flow Mesh Brushing Boots are made of a 3D air mesh fabric that supports air circulation. The PU faux leather outer material is durable and easy to care for. The boots can be used on both front and hind legs.
The Air Flow series also includes the Air Flow Mesh 2.0, Air Flow Mesh Carbon, and Air Flow Mesh Illusion. Features and look vary by model.
For a softer construction, EQUEST offers models including the Brushing Boots Soft and the Brushing Boots Premium. For smaller ponies, there are the Brushing Boots Melange Shetty.
Brushing Boots with a Sturdy Outer Shell
A boot with a sturdy outer shell offers a different kind of protection than a pure mesh or softly padded boot.
The EQUEST Xpert Brushing Boots feature a TPU outer shell with a carbon look, a perforated neoprene lining, and ventilation zones. The anatomical shape is designed to provide a secure fit and freedom of movement. The construction is lightweight and intended for training and show jumping.
The EQUEST EQ PROTECT and the EQUEST Safety Brushing Boots are also among the models with an integrated hard shell.
What Do Hind Boots Protect?
Hind boots are worn on the hind legs. They are mainly designed to protect the area around the fetlock joint from strikes by the opposite hind hoof or shoe.
This is the key difference from a classic brushing boot: a hind boot is more compact and concentrates its protection on the fetlock area of the hind leg, while a brushing boot covers a larger section of the leg, depending on its design.
The EQUEST Xpert Hind Boots feature a flexible TPU outer shell, a perforated neoprene lining, and ventilation zones. They are anatomically shaped and have a double hook-and-loop closure.
That is why brushing boots and hind boots are often combined in show jumping: brushing boots on the front legs and hind boots on the hind legs.
Fetlock Boots – Targeted Protection for the Fetlock Area
A Fetlock Boot is designed for a wider protection area than a classic brushing boot. It also covers the area around the fetlock joint, providing correspondingly greater coverage on the lower part of the leg.
Which version makes sense depends on where the horse actually makes contact with its own hoof or leg and what protection is needed for the respective use.
Reflective Leg Protection
The EQUEST Reflect Line Boot combines leg protection with reflective material. The material reflects incoming light and can thus improve the horse's visibility in poor lighting conditions.
A soft fur trim is designed to make the edge on the horse's leg comfortable. The mesh used supports air circulation.
What Matters When Choosing?
The right boot should not be chosen on looks alone. Above all, the following are decisive:
- Protection area: Which part of the horse's leg needs to be protected?
- Fit: The boot must sit securely and must not slip.
- Material: Depending on the use, mesh, neoprene or a hard shell can offer different advantages.
- Breathability: Good air circulation can be useful, especially during training and at higher temperatures.
- Weight and freedom of movement: The leg protection should suit the horse's movement.
The FEI also points out that boots should fit snugly but not too tightly and should provide sufficient protection without impairing the horse's normal movement.
Transport, Stable and Recovery
For transport, EQUEST offers special transport boots. For the stable and rest periods there are the EQUEST Thermo Boots.
The stable boots have padding with integrated ceramic fibres that reflects the body's own heat and has been proven to support blood circulation. This makes the Thermo Boots particularly suitable for rest periods before or after exercise and for supporting recovery.
They can also be used as a supportive application for horses with arthritis or age-related stiffness if warmth and improved circulation are perceived as pleasant. The Thermo Boots can be used both in the stable and during transport.
The decisive question is therefore not which boot is the best in general, but which protection area and which version suit the horse and the respective use.
EQUEST Boots and Leg Protection
From lightweight mesh boots for daily training and sturdy boots for show jumping to hind boots, fetlock boots and transport boots: EQUEST offers leg protection for different requirements and areas of use.
