I have a tomboy mare who keeps on getting scrapes and cuts - some deep - in her legs (between ankle and knee)from running around in her paddock. Maybe the bugs are "bugging" her despite spraying and wearing a flysheet?

I'm thinking of making her wear boots to go out. E.g. splint boots or Sport Medicine Boots.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is wearing boots a good idea? There is nothing special that she could hurt herself with in the paddock but sh manages to do it anyway.

I like to use DSBs for turnout. Not so good in the winter though; the snow sticks to the fleece lining and velcro.

I personally would NOT use SMBs for turnout purposes as they provide too much support, all you need in a turnout boot is protection.

My mare also gets bothered by bugs so I just bring her inside her stall and turn on her stall fan early in the evening before she starts running around. Keeps her much happier that way

Woof boots or Boogaloo boots are great, and much cheaper!

SMBs do not really provide alot of support and only in over flexion. Of all the boots on the market, they provide more support than others, but that is not saying much.

Recommend against anything that is made of neoprene (including SMBs) as neoprene creates heat, and you do not want heat in that area.

Best to keep her from running around in the paddock. If the bugs are really bothering her, bringing her in will prevent accidents greater than nicks to her legs.

My horse is turned out in some sport boots as well. The Adelaide ones from Horse World. I've never had any issues with them, and others at the barn I'm at use them as well. I would definitely recommend those! They also can go in the washing machine and wash up quite well!

I generally use the Shedrow Open front boots and ankle boots and bell boots. For the bell boots I prefer the ones with no velcro becuase those come off and I personally rather spend my money on a new saddle rather than ten million pairs of bell boots. They are sometimes hard to get on but if you have a horse that stands and you get use to putting them on and off it is easy. Just they don't come off at all in the paddock.

I really like the WOOF boots. We have the 2-3 velcro brushing boot style and they work great. I also like that they come in different colours so they are easy to tell who wears what pair. I actualy like bell boots with velcro... The ones from GreenHawk with the double velcro closure seem to stay on our horses/ponies (as long as they are hosed off when the horse is turned in so the velcro remains clean) and again they come in different colours so they are easy to find IF lost and figure out which pair goes on which horse.

I agree with the turn in idea as well. Alot of stables offer different turn out times to help when bug season is on.

ALSO sometimes the best thing to do is fight the bugs... keeping standing water and poop away from the paddocks helps keep bugs down. Keeping the grass cut in the paddocks and around them also helps SOOO much. There are really good bug traps on the market now as well but you have to stick with them for the whole season to see any real results. Cedar trees are mosquito condos so get ride of them if you can!

Hope some of these ideas help

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ponybreeder,

My horse is banging his legs a little and getting cuts when he is outside to, so i am getting, "Woof" turnout boots soon for him! They are supposed work well!

No votes for Boogaloo, having worked in barns I find them a $%^&*@ to put on. I like the cheapy Woof boots, club or whatever, not the ones with a zillion sets of velcro going this way and that. The DSBs are great for dry weather and horses with irritation issues but I find they, as well as their knock offs, rip easily and the elastic really stretches. If your horse lives out then no boots are best, too much time spent covered, sweaty, wet, dirty, skin needs to breathe.