Tendon Boots and Leg Protection in Horses: Welfare Evidence

Leg protection in horses raises welfare questions about overheating, incorrect fit, and whether protection benefits outweigh thermal and pressure risks.

Key Facts

Tendon boots are worn during exercise to protect against brushing injuries and external impacts.
Research has shown that closed-cell foam boots significantly increase tendon temperature during exercise.
Elevated tendon temperature accelerates collagen denaturation, potentially increasing injury risk rather than reducing it.
Open-cell foam and perforated materials allow greater heat dissipation than solid neoprene designs.
Incorrectly fitting boots cause pressure sores, restrict circulation, and may impair proprioception.
Evidence for protective benefit of tendon boots against actual injury is limited in controlled research.
Boots should be removed immediately after exercise and legs inspected for rubs and heat retention.

Welfare Considerations

Leg protection welfare is a case where common practice diverges from available evidence. Many riders use boots reflexively based on tradition and concern for tendon damage, without considering the thermal welfare cost. Boots that significantly elevate tendon temperature during intense exercise may create a welfare problem rather than prevent one. The most welfare-conscious approach involves selecting boots with evidence-based thermal management, ensuring correct fit that avoids pressure points, limiting boot wear to the minimum necessary duration, and removing immediately after exercise. Where protection is genuinely indicated, material selection and fit are welfare determinants that owners should evaluate rather than accepting any available boot.

What You Can Do

Select tendon boots with open-cell or perforated materials that allow heat dissipation during exercise.
Ensure boots are correctly fitted: no slipping, no pressure points, and secure but not tight fastening.
Remove boots immediately after exercise and check legs for rubs, heat, and pressure marks.
Question whether boots are genuinely needed for your specific horse and activity level.
Consult your vet or physiotherapist about evidence-based leg protection decisions for horses with specific injury risks.