Do all horse boots heat horses legs?

There are plenty of horse boots on the market today that state they are airflow horse boots or vented horse boots, to help increase ventilation to the horses leg whilst exercising. But what are the coolest horse boots? In this study a range of boots were looked at and we can : “Assessing the Impact of Leg Protection on Equine Limb Temperature: A Closer Look at the Effects of Boots and Wraps”

Introduction:

The use of protective gear, such as horse boots and leg wraps, in equine sports and exercise is a common practice aimed at safeguarding the horse’s lower limbs from potential trauma. However, recent research has shed light on a potential downside to this practice – the increased limb temperature caused by these protective boots might pose risks to the underlying tendons. Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation has banned bandages being used presicely for this reason. This blog aims to explain a study published in Equine Veterinary Science which was conducted to delve deeper into this issue, aiming to analyse the limb surface temperature during and after exercise when various leg protections were applied. [Brock, L.; Spooner, H. A comparison among equine boots and leg wraps on leg surface temperature during and after exercise. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2021; doi: 101016/j.jevs.2021.103491]

Study Design and Methodology:

Six types of leg protections were tested: neoprene boots, perforated neoprene boots, alternative neoprene boots, cross-country boots, a sports medicine boot, and a polo wrap. Each horse had one forelimb booted randomly, while the other forelimb remained bare as a control. A temperature probe was placed on both the booted and bare limbs to record temperature and humidity at regular intervals during a 20-minute exercise test and a 180-minute recovery period, conducted in moderate ambient conditions.

Results and Findings:

The study found that bare limb temperature was at its lowest at the 9th minute of the exercise test around 27.7°C but peaked and plateaued during the recovery period at around 33°C. In contrast, limbs treated with various protections showed an increase in temperature during exercise, starting around 32°C and reaching 36°C at the 15th minute and plateauing during recovery. All treatments resulted in higher temperatures compared to the bare limb across all times. The polo wrap showed the highest temperature and humidity among all treatments.

Discussion and Implications:

The results supported the initial hypothesis that boots and wraps impair the limb’s convection cooling during exercise. This finding is significant as elevated skin temperature in the lower leg has been correlated with potentially harmful underlying tendon temperatures. Even in moderate exercise and ambient conditions, booted or wrapped limbs may reach temperatures that could be damaging. Hence the need for the coolest horse boots.

How do you choose the coolest horse boot?

These results reflect the tests that have been done at Cryochaps but with some subtle differences. Nearly all tests match the starting temperatures of 32°C, 32°C is normal skin temperature and we suspect the temperature probe on a bare leg reads lower temperatures because it is also being affected by the ambient temperature, so will be lower. The probe is enclosed in the boot and therefore will be the same temperature as the skin. In the booted tests with Exoskeleton, similar results were achieved with peak temperatures of 36°C, this peak was usually seen when the horse came back to walk after canter work. Exoskeleton airflow horse boots have been designed with breathability in mind. Large vents, open up the boot over the back of the leg, the faster the leg moves the greater the convection cooling, as air is forced over the back of the leg. When the leg slows down the temperatures spike as there is less air flow. However compared to other boots there is still more cooling because of the large vents and the temperatures decrease quicker compared to other boots and bandages. It is also important to note that during a five minute walk off temperatures in the Exoskeleton boot returned to the starting temperatures unlike other boots tested against. This is because Exoskelton creates significantly more air flow over the leg than other vented or perforated boots, and could be one of the coolest horse boots.

How do you decrease horse leg temperatures after exercise?

It is interesting to note in the published study that contrary to expectations, neither the booted limbs nor the bare limb returned to baseline temperature within 180 minutes of recovery. This necessitates further research into effective strategies to reduce the cooling time required after exercise.

The horses in this instance were standing, perhaps walking off would create more air flow and help cool the legs quicker. Ice boots are now more widely used after exercise to bring the temperatures down. Results from tests done at Cryochaps on icing legs after exercise versus not icing, the iced leg stayed considerably colder for up to an hour after exercise, compared to the leg that was not iced. This would help to reduce temperatures after exercise and studies have confirmed icing after exercise is a viable cooling strategy for equine limbs post-exercise.

Final Thought should we no longer boot our horses?

The findings advocate for a more nuanced approach to equine limb care, considering both the benefits and potential risks associated with wearing boots. Care needs to be taken in the choice of vented horse boot with maximum airflow if boots are required. To choose an airflow horse boot there is a very simple test to check whether the vents will create air flow to the leg. Can you see through the boot?

Of the four vented horse boots below, a picture has been taken of the inside of the horse boot and also the corresponding vent on the outside of the horse boot. The first two vented horse boots there will be no air flow as the vents are blocked by the inner material.

The second of the two airflow horse boots, the left one being the Exoskeleton from Cryochaps, you can see through the material, so air flow is guaranteed. Both these boots could be termed as the coolest horse boots.

Whether the legs are booted with effective airflow horse boots or not, effective cooling strategies post-exercise are essential to maintain healthy legs and perhaps we as horse owners need to be more proactive about a cool down routine?