Standard Boots vs Vented Exercise Boots

We all know that exercise boots cause horses’ legs to heat up and that cooling legs quickly after exercise is recommended. However, is there a way to minimise the heating effect? Do vented horse boots work?

Standard Horse Boots vs Vented Horse Boots

We tested a vented boot against a standard boot. Both boots are the same fabric and construction. The only difference was the vents in one set of boots. We strapped a temperature probe into the boots and set off for a one hour hack!

We were shocked to discover that although it was only 9 degrees outside, the temperature inside both boots rose to over 37 degrees from a starting temp of 26 degrees! The vents on this particular boot appeared to have little cooling effect at all. 

Designing a New Type of Vented Horse Boot

At Cryochaps, we set about researching what is required of a vented horse boot for it to actually be effective in reducing heat build up during exercise. We found that the size, positioning and effectiveness of the vents in assisting airflow were all key factors in producing a vented horse boot that was effective in minimising heat build up. 

Our blog article on Why the Exoskeleton is Not Your Average Exercise Boot goes into more detail, but we have outlined the key principles below:

Size: We found that the vents must be large in order to allow significant levels of heat to escape. The Exoskeleton exercise boots are designed with extra large vents. The outer shell of the boot is effectively opened out to form an exoskeleton, thereby protecting the most vulnerable areas from strikes and impacts whilst allowing as much heat to escape as possible.

Positioning: Much of the heat produced comes from the SDFT and the DDFT, so it makes sense to ensure vents are strategically placed to allow heat to escape from these areas. We have positioned vents on the front, back, sides, top and bottom of the Exoskeleton exercise boots to allow maximum airflow throughout the boot. 

Airflow: Most vented horse boots are designed to allow heat to escape during exercise. However, the Exoskeleton exercise boots use forced convection cooling technology to push air across the back of the horse’s leg as it moves. This helps to actively cool the soft tissues as the horse works in the faster paces. 

The Importance of Cooling the Legs Post-Exercise

Using the Exoskeleton vented horse boots can effectively minimise heat build up in the lower legs during exercise. Using large, strategically placed vents and forced convection cooling technology, the Exoskeleton outperforms market leading tendon boots in terms of cooling and strike protection. 

Regardless of what boots you use, it remains important to cool your horse’s legs effectively after exercise. Cryochaps ice boots for horses provide excellent cooling and compression, helping to kickstart recovery after every exercise session.