Travelling safely
Travel boots for horses
Travel boots protect your horse's legs in the trailer or horsebox from knocks and grazes, from the coronet to above the knee and hock. At Lepona you will find models from Eskadron, Kentucky Horsewear, Busse, Bucas, Waldhausen, QHP, LeMieux, Acavallo, Equestro, Kavalkade and other brands, in Pony, Cob and Full.
What to look out for
Good travel boots reach high enough to cover the hock and knee and close at the bottom over the coronet. Three wide Velcro fastenings hold them securely, and reinforcement at the heel protects shod horses. Inside, shock-absorbing foam provides the padding, about 1.5 cm thick on the Waldhausen Comfort Line or 18 mm on the QHP Turnout.
Material
On the outside, most models are made of robust ripstop nylon that is protected against tearing, for example from Kentucky Horsewear, Bucas Freedom and QHP. Mesh models such as the Busse 3D Air Effect or Eskadron Heritage Mesh are breathable, good for long journeys or warm weather. Inside there is fleece or faux rabbit fur; the LeMieux travel boots have a carbon lining.
Pair or set?
Many travel boots come as a set of 4 for front and hind legs, such as the Waldhausen Exclusive. Others are sold in pairs, separately for front and hind.
Size
Sizes range from Pony through Cob to Full and Full Extra. The boot should not drag on the ground or slip. The measurements are given with each item.
More protection on the road
For work at home there are horse boots and bandages, from Eskadron for example under Eskadron horse boots and from Kentucky Horsewear under Kentucky horse boots. After the journey, a cooler helps.
Many riders use them on every journey, especially with shod horses, because the horse can tread on itself when braking or cornering.
They should cover the hock and knee and protect the coronet at the bottom without dragging on the ground.
Sizes range from Pony through Cob to Full Extra. The measurements are given with each item.
Our smallest size is currently Pony. Whether a model fits a Shetland can be seen from the measurements given with the item.
Travel boots are quicker to put on and also protect the joints and coronet. Bandages with pads take practice to apply.
Brush out coarse dirt and close the Velcro fastenings before washing. Whether a model is machine washable is stated with the item.