ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Professional Sports Boots
Re: [endurance] Professional Sports Boots
HorseWorks@aol.com
Fri, 17 May 1996 08:01:39 -0400
I recently used Professional Sport Boots in a 50 mile ride. At every vet
check I took them off and cleaned them before putting them back on. My
horse's legs looked fine. However, just before the finish - while we were
galloping the last few miles with two other riders - my horse kept trying to
put his head down as if to rub his head. I backed off the pace a little -
focusing on what might be his problem. He stopped this gesture when I asked
him too. And, about that time, I realized we were 1/4 mile from the finish.
Needless to say, I was behind a bit and in a race for the finish line I
missed 1st lightweight by a length. Later, when I took the boots off, I
found out why he was putting his head down to "rub". The boots had rubbed
the hair off his fetlocks. He was responding to the discomfort in the last
miles to the finish.
Possibly when I put the boots back on the last time they were tighter? Or
looser? I don't know. I'd like to hear what other folks have to say about
this problem.
(Normally, I don't use any boots, however, his feet were a little longer than
I'd like he had been brushing. I wanted to protect his legs.)
GenieSS