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The Italian brand Zandona has been producing horse boots since 1968. Founded in Vicenza, the Zandonà family has, over five decades, established itself as one of the most recognizable protective brands in global equestrianism – dressage teams from many countries train in their boots, professional show jumpers use them in arenas, and Polish eventing riders often choose this very brand for their horses during cross-country phases.
The reason is simple. Zandona does not produce "universal" boots. The brand develops separate lines for different horse profiles, types of work, and levels of exertion. This means that a rider who knows what they need buys a tailor-made solution, not a compromise.
The problem is that Zandona has over twenty different models of boots in its catalog, divided into four main lines. Without a guide, it's easy to get lost in abbreviations like "Carbon Pro," "Carbon Air," "Superior Air," "Prince Sensitive+," "Esatech," and "Magnetik." This article organizes the selection and answers the question of which model makes sense in which situation.
Table of Contents
- Why Zandona boots are a premium standard in global equestrianism
- What is the source of Zandona's technological advantage?
- Carbon Pro – the flagship line for professional sport
- Carbon Air – lightness and ventilation for everyday work
- Superior Air – a universal solution for amateurs and semi-professional riders
- Prince Sensitive+ – when classic boots irritate the skin
- How to match boots to discipline and type of work
- Sizing – how not to make a mistake when ordering online
- Care of Zandona boots – what determines their lifespan
- Consultation at Equishop – which model for your horse
What is the source of Zandona's technological advantage?
Before we compare the lines, it's worth understanding four specific elements that distinguish Zandona boots from mid-range products.
1. Internal shock-absorbing structure. The Carbon Pro, Carbon Air, and Superior lines use an EVC (Evoluted Viscoelastic Cells) layer – viscoelastic foam that absorbs impact energy and dissipates it across the entire surface of the boot. This is the same class of technology that Zandona uses in certified protective vests for riders.
2. Outer shell. "Carbon" models have a rigid carbon fiber shell covered with a high abrasion-resistant varnish. The Superior line uses a lighter but still rigid composite material. The shell is responsible for dissipating point pressure – i.e., protecting tendons from impact from the other leg's hoof (overreach) or an obstacle rail.
3. Ventilation openings. The "Air" line has a perforated design that allows air to circulate between the horse's skin and the boot. This is critical during long training sessions, in warm weather, and for horses whose legs easily overheat.
4. Interior finish. Each line has a different contact finish with the horse's skin – from technical microfiber to real sheepskin in the Prince Sensitive+ models. This detail determines whether the boot starts to rub after an hour of work.
These four elements are common to the entire brand. The differences between the lines begin where compromises end.
Carbon Pro – the flagship line for professional sport
Carbon Pro is the model that most top-level show jumpers use for training and competitions. A full carbon fiber shell, EVC inside, anatomically contoured shape with separate models for front and hind legs, and separate versions for show jumping, dressage, and cross-country.
Why riders choose it: maximum tendon protection against impacts from rails and hooves, a rigid shell that does not deform after repeated contact (unlike soft leather boots that lose their shape after a season), and consistent performance – the horse gets used to the specific characteristics of the boot and does not change its movement when it is put on for competition.
In our store, you will find Carbon Pro Tendon for front legs and matching Carbon Professional Fetlock for hind legs.
For whom Carbon Pro is overkill: for recreational riding and trail riding. A rigid shell is not needed when there are no rails or intense obstacle training. For a rider working mainly in semi-professional or dressage without jumping, Superior Air or Carbon Air would be a better choice.
Carbon Air – lightness and ventilation for everyday work
Carbon Air is a variant of the Carbon line where Zandona designers break through a compromise: they maintain the carbon fiber shell but open up the design for ventilation. Openings on the outer shell and a mesh inner lining allow the horse's legs to breathe.
Carbon Air makes sense if you work your horse multiple times a week at a medium pace (several hours of show jumping or dressage training), your horse's legs easily overheat – especially in spring and summer – or you need protection comparable to Carbon Pro but with less weight on the horse's leg.
Riders often have both models in their stable – Carbon Pro for competitions and important preparatory training, Carbon Air for daily, maintenance work. This is a reasonable investment if the horse works regularly in sports.
Superior Air – a universal solution for amateurs and semi-professional riders
The Superior line is Zandona's mid-range – not because the quality is lower, but because the design is lighter, more flexible, and more versatile than Carbon. The rigid part is smaller and concentrates only over the tendon, the rest of the boot remains soft.
Superior Air (with ventilation) is a choice that makes sense for an amateur working a horse 3-4 times a week in a mixed discipline (dressage + jumping), for a rider who is investing in premium boots for the first time and doesn't yet know which discipline they specialize in, and for everyday use, where comfort, ventilation, and ease of fitting are most important.
Superior Air is more affordable than Carbon Pro, and provides a lot of comfort for everyday work. It's a good place to start your adventure with the Zandona brand, without choosing the deepest premium model "just in case". The offer includes Superior Air Tendon for front legs and Superior Air Fetlock for hind legs.
Prince Sensitive+ – when classic boots irritate the skin
There is a group of horses for whom standard boots – no matter how well made – leave marks, rubs, or skin reactions after extended work. Sensitive horses, horses with thin skin, horses after injury, horses working in hot weather, horses reacting to specific synthetic materials.
For them, Zandona created the Prince Sensitive+ line, where the outer part is real leather or natural sheep wool (sheepskin), the interior is finished with breathable microfiber, and the fasteners are attached with Velcro with additional security against unfastening.
Significantly, Prince Sensitive+ are still sports boots. They have a shock-absorbing layer inside, rigid reinforcement over the tendon, and full functional protection – the difference lies exclusively in the contact finish. This is a solution for horses that react to skin contact, not a protective compromise.
If your horse comes back from training with rubs around the fetlock or hock – it doesn't mean it needs less work. It means it needs a different boot material. Prince Sensitive+ solves this problem. Available in the store are [Prince Sensitive for front legs](https://www.equishop.com/products/zandona-ochraniacze-dla-konia-prince-sensitive-przod-1) and the [Carbon Pro Sensitive Fetlock version for hind legs](https://www.equishop.com/products/zandona-ochraniacze-dla-konia-carbon-pro-sensitive-fetlock-tyl).
How to match boots to discipline and type of work?
The simplest selection algorithm is as follows:
Professional show jumping → Carbon Pro (front: tendon boot, hind: fetlock boot). Maximum protection of tendons and fetlock in situations of contact with an obstacle rail.
Professional dressage → Superior Air or Prince Sensitive+ (for FEI competitions, remember the current rules regarding boots in the parade and competition – check guidelines on fei.org).
Eventing and cross-country → X-Country line: Carbon Air X-Country for front legs and Carbon Air X-Country for hind legs – models reinforced in the tendon area, with additional fetlock protection.
Daily recreational and semi-professional work → Superior Air or Carbon Air depending on budget and horse's work intensity.
Work with a sensitive horse → Prince Sensitive+ in the version appropriate for the discipline.
Horse transport → a separate topic: Pro-Safe Travel boots (more in our separate article on horse transport in a trailer).
Every Zandona boot has separate front/hind and left/right leg versions. The anatomical profiling does not allow them to be put on "backwards" – this is important when buying the first set.
Sizing – how not to make a mistake when ordering online?
Zandona uses standard European sizes: S, M, L, XL. The manufacturer provides tables with two key measurements: pastern circumference (measured directly above the hoof) and tendon length (from the hock to the fetlock).
In practice, horses of Polish half-bred and Hanoverian type most often fit into size L (large). Light breed horses (Thoroughbred, Arab) – into M. Heavy and large breed horses – into XL.
If you are measuring your horse for the first time, it is best to come to the store with the pastern circumference measurement written down on paper. At the Equishop showroom at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska, we can measure your horse directly or try on boots on another horse of similar build. Online, we recommend ordering a size after reading our product descriptions with size charts for each Zandona model.
Care of Zandona boots – what determines their lifespan?
Well-maintained Zandona boots serve many seasons of regular work. Poorly maintained ones – wear out much faster.
Basic rules. After each training session, wipe the boots with a damp cloth, allow them to dry at room temperature (never on a radiator or in the sun). Once a month, wash the interior with cool water and mild soap (do not use laundry detergents or stain removers). Clean the outer shell with a technical leather cleaner or PVC cleaner – depending on the material. Carbon Pro models have a lacquered finish, so they tolerate cleaning with a cloth and a light detergent. Clean Velcro regularly – dirt reduces fastening strength. Prince Sensitive+ with fur requires a wool brush – it removes matting and sand from the fibers.
Never machine wash Zandona boots. Vibrations and heat damage the EVC structure and deform the composite shell.
Consultation at Equishop – which model for your horse?
At the Equishop showroom at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska, you have access to the full line of Zandona boots, including models that are hard to find in other Polish stores (Carbon Air X-Country, Prince Sensitive+ with fur, Esatech Pro). You can come with your horse, take several models for testing, and choose consciously.
If you are buying online and are unsure which model to choose, call us at +48 32 782 45 68 or write to us using the contact form. We will advise you based on the discipline you work in, the type of horse, and your previous experience with boots.
In accordance with the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse, the horse's welfare has absolute priority over all other competition factors. Protecting a horse's legs is not cosmetic – it's an investment in its athletic life. The Italian Zandona school is one of the safest choices you can make in this category.
The full catalog of Zandona brand boots available at Equishop can be found in our online and brick-and-mortar store in Ruda Śląska.
