PLN
Horse boots
Horse boots are protective covers fitted to the lower legs – the tendons, fetlocks, coronet and heels – which mechanically protect them from knocks from the opposite leg, contact with a pole or fence, and rubbing during riding, lungeing and transport. Equishop’s range includes boots from brands such as the German Eskadron and the Italian Zandonà: jumping, dressage, training, cross-country, travel, fur-lined and magnetic boots, as well as bell boots.
At a glance: brands such as Eskadron and Zandonà • separate models for front and hind legs (F/H, Tendon/Fetlock) • Velcro, stud or snap-secured Velcro fastenings • sizes PONY, COB and FULL, plus letter sizes from XS to XXL • shells made of TPU, TPE and carbon fibre, with D3O material in the Air-Flex line • fur-lined, travel and magnetic versions • bell boots in neoprene, rubber and fur-lined versions • the Equishop store in Ruda Śląska and 30 days to return online purchases
What types of horse boots are there?
- Jumping boots – with a hard shell; front tendon boots are open at the front so that the horse can feel the touch of a pole.
- Dressage boots – shaped to fit the leg closely, e.g. made of soft neoprene.
- Training boots – all-purpose boots for everyday riding and lungeing.
- Cross-country boots – with a fastening that holds in water and mud.
- Travel boots – tall boots reaching from around the knee down to the coronet.
- Fur-lined boots – with faux fur or sheepskin on the leg side, for horses with sensitive skin.
- Bell boots – protect the coronet and heels from being struck by the hind leg.
- Magnetic boots – with built-in magnets.
Eskadron and Zandonà horse boots – brands and models
Eskadron
The German brand Eskadron offers the most models – we have gathered them in the Eskadron horse boots category. In the Eskadron Air-Flex line, the protective zone is made up of a hard shell, carbon fibre and D3O material, which is designed to absorb impact energy (read more in the article Eskadron Air-Flex D3O). Air-Flex Classic F fastens with Velcro, while Air-Flex Sport F uses Pin-Lock metal pins. Pro.Flex Classic has a transparent TPU shell and a neoprene lining. For everyday work, choose Flexisoft for the front legs and Protection for the hind legs (TPE shell, neoprene lining, sizes PONY and FULL); for dressage – Pro Dressage Tendon for the front and Pro Dressage for the hind legs, made of neoprene approx. 8.5 mm thick; for cross-country – Flexisoft Cross Country with Velcro secured by a snap; and for the trailer – Pro Traveller with 20 mm foam and a fleece lining.
Zandonà
In most of its models, the Italian brand Zandonà calls front boots Tendon and hind boots Fetlock. You will find all models in the Zandonà horse boots category. Carbon Pro Tendon has a shell with carbon fibre and an open front, typical of jumping boots; Superior Air Tendon has a TPU shell and a perforated Air lining; and Action Techno-Fur Tendon has fur on the leg side. The Pro-Safe travel boot, available in COB and FULL sizes, protects the leg from the knee down to the coronet and heel. We compare the lines in our guide how to choose a Zandonà boot line.
Front or hind, Velcro or studs – how to read the labels?
Front and hind legs are built differently, which is why front and hind boots are separate products. Front boots mainly protect the flexor tendons at the back of the cannon, while hind boots protect the fetlock area. Look for the words “front” and “hind” in the product name, and in Eskadron Air-Flex for the letters F (front) and H (hind). A set for all four legs means two items, e.g. Air-Flex Classic F and Air-Flex Classic H.
Most models fasten with Velcro straps, which let you adjust the pressure quickly. Studs – metal pins or buttons on elastic straps – give consistent tension; they are used in Eskadron Air-Flex Sport and Pro.Flex Sport, among others. For cross-country, Velcro secured with a snap works well. We compare both systems in the article Horse boots with Velcro or stud fasteners?.
What are magnetic horse boots?
These are boots with magnets built into their construction. In our range, these are Zandonà models from the Therapeutic line: Therapeutic Support Boot Air for the front legs with neodymium magnets, a hind version made of perforated neoprene, and magnetic bell boots. They fasten with Velcro, and how long they are worn depends on the horse’s needs and the specialist’s recommendations.
Magnetic boots are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If your horse has an injury or swelling, or is lame, and before you start using magnetic therapy, it is the veterinarian who decides whether it is appropriate and how it should be used.
What to look for when choosing horse boots?
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Jumping – a shell that protects the tendons; dressage – a close fit to the leg; cross-country – a secure fastening; trailer – tall travel boots. |
| Front and hind | Separate products with a different cut. Check the label: front/hind, F/H or Tendon/Fetlock. |
| Shell | TPU, TPE or carbon fibre takes the impact. A hard shell does not stretch, so the size has to fit from the very first fitting. |
| Lining | Neoprene is easy to clean but retains heat. 3D-AirMesh and the perforated Zandonà Air linings are designed to limit overheating, while fur or sheepskin helps prevent rubbing. |
| Fastening | Velcro – quick adjustment; studs – consistent tension; Velcro with a snap – more secure in water and mud. |
| Size | PONY, COB, FULL, letter sizes from XS to XXL, and in Eskadron Pro Dressage also V and W. Each brand has its own size chart. |
| Use and care | Remove the boots straight after work, clean the sand off them after every ride and dry them away from radiators and direct sunlight. |
How to choose the right size of horse boots?
- Check the size label: PONY is for ponies and smaller horses, FULL for full-size horses, and COB is the intermediate size. In Eskadron Pro Dressage, V (from Vollblut) corresponds to COB, and W (from Warmblut) to FULL for warmbloods.
- Measure the circumference of the leg at its widest point and the length from the knee to the fetlock, then compare the results with the size chart on the product page.
- Put the boot on a clean, dry leg, with the fastening on the outside and the strap ends pointing backwards. You should be able to slide a finger under the edge.
- After the first training session, check the legs: pressure marks or rubbing mean the boots are fastened too tightly or are the wrong size, while slipping means they are too big.
- More tips: How to choose the right size of horse boots?.
Complete your horse’s leg protection
A boot on the cannon does not cover the coronet and heels – that is what bell boots are for. For rest and transport, choose horse wraps and a tail protector. Also read how to put on and fit horse boots, when to use wraps instead of boots and how to transport a horse safely.
Frequently asked questions about horse boots
What is the difference between front and hind horse boots?
The cut and the area they protect: front boots mainly protect the flexor tendons, while hind boots protect the fetlock area. They are separate products. In Eskadron Air-Flex, the letter F stands for front and H for hind; in most Zandonà models, Tendon means front and Fetlock means hind.
Velcro or studs – which fastening should I choose?
Velcro lets you put the boot on quickly and adjust the pressure smoothly. Studs – metal pins or buttons – give the same tension every time you put the boots on, e.g. in Eskadron Air-Flex Sport. For cross-country and water, Velcro secured with a snap is a good choice, as in Eskadron Flexisoft Cross Country.
Which size of boots should I choose: PONY, COB or FULL?
PONY is the size for ponies and smaller horses, FULL for full-size horses, and COB is the intermediate size, offered for example by the Zandonà Pro-Safe travel boots. With letter sizes, such as M and L in Eskadron Air-Flex, compare your horse’s leg measurements with the size chart on the product page.
When should I use bell boots on my horse?
For training, jumping and riding out, and some models also for turnout. Bell boots protect the coronet and heels from being struck by the hind hoof. You can choose, among others, bell boots made of synthetic leather with neoprene (Eskadron Allround), rubber or fur-lined models.
When should I take the boots off after riding?
As soon as you finish work. The shell and neoprene retain heat, so boots should not be left on the horse’s legs in the stable or in the paddock. After removing them, check the legs, clean the sand off the boots and dry them away from radiators and direct sunlight.
Can I return the boots if the size does not fit?
Yes. You have 30 days to return online purchases, and there is free delivery within Poland on orders over PLN 300. You can also see the boots in person at the Equishop store in Ruda Śląska (ul. Oświęcimska 9).