Why do horses wear open front boots?

Open front boots protect the back of a horse's front legs from being struck by their own hind hooves while leaving the front of the cannon bone exposed to feel jump rails. This design gives show jumpers and eventers crucial tendon protection while encouraging the horse to stay careful over fences.

Protecting Tendons While Teaching Respect for Rails

During jumping or fast arena work, a horse's hind legs overreach and swing forward under the belly. If a horse misjudges a stride, takes off late, or stumbles, a hind hoof can easily strike the back of a front leg. The delicate flexor tendons running down the back of the front cannon bones are extremely vulnerable to blunt trauma, bruising, and severe lacerations from shoes. If you ever notice swelling, heat, or lameness following an impact, contact your veterinarian right away for a full diagnosis.

Open front boots (often called tendon boots) feature a hard exterior strike guard along the back and sides to absorb shock from these hind-end strikes. However, the front of the boot remains open, exposing the shin. When a horse rubs a jump rail, the horse feels the solid contact immediately. That brief, harmless touch reminds the horse to snap its knees up faster and clear the fence clean on the next attempt. Using tack like the "Professional's Choice Open Tendon Boots - Durable Injury Prevention Horse Leg Boots for Jumping" gives riders peace of mind by shielding the tendon zone without dulling the horse's natural jump response.

Heat Management and Air Flow During Heavy Work

Another major reason riders favor open front boots over fully enclosed boots or traditional polo wraps is thermal management. High-intensity exercise generates significant heat inside a horse's lower legs. Retaining too much heat against soft tissue structures can lead to tissue stress and potential long-term damage.

Because open front boots cover only the back and sides of the leg, airflow is naturally higher. Cool air circulates across the front of the leg with every stride, helping to dissipate heat build-up. Modern designs enhance this effect using specialized materials. For example, the "Shires ARMA Carbon Tendon Boots - High Performance Shock Absorbing Horse Leg Protection" utilize high-impact outer shells paired with shock-absorbing linings that help maintain optimal leg temperatures. For riders tackling technical stadium courses where impact risk is highest, options like the "Shires ARMA Vortex Tendon Boots - Black Professional High-Impact Horse Leg Protection" combine heavy-duty strike defense with engineered ventilation to keep legs cool under pressure.

Best Practices for Fit and Daily Care

To ensure open front boots perform correctly without causing discomfort or rub marks, pay close attention to fit and maintenance.

• Contour and Alignment: The protective strike guard must sit centered over the flexor tendons, with the bottom of the boot cupping the fetlock joint without interfering with flexion.
• Consistent Tension: Secure the straps with even pressure. Overtightening can cause pressure sores or restrict circulation, while loose boots can slip down or collect arena grit inside.
• Cleanliness: Always wipe down or brush off sweat, sand, and dirt after every ride to protect the sensitive skin along the leg.

Using open front boots properly keeps your horse's legs cool, careful, and fully protected throughout their training and competition careers.