Education Zone

Over the past few years, the equine world has exploded with new products, and not in the least when it comes to boots for your horse or pony. But where do you start when there is so much available? Sometimes it is simply best to go back to basics and in this instance, what could be a more obvious choice than the unassuming Brushing Boot. Here we have explored some of the most frequently asked questions about brushing boots, to help you make the best decision the next time you’re shopping for boots for your four-legged companion: What is a brushing boot? Brushing boots (traditionally referred to as splint boots) are a type of protective boot used to protect the lower part of the horse’s leg. Originally, these boots were made from traditional materials such as leather, however, in 1981 Louise Woof designed the first brushing boot to be made from neoprene; thus paving the way for the vast assortment of modern horse boots to be made from synthetic materials. What is a brushing boot used for and why? Brushing Boots are a popular choice of boot to protect the horse’s lower leg during exercise from ‘brushing’ injuries. These are injuries that may occur if one leg, or hoof, strikes the opposite leg. These types of injuries are often seen during fast work, such as jumping or lunging, but brushing boots can also provide protection from minor scrapes and injuries during schooling, hacking, or turnout. Does my horse need brushing boots? Most ridden horses are likely to need leg protection at some point in time; and if you are unsure of the type of protection your horse needs, a pair of brushing boots is a good place to start! Often regarded as the most basic of horse boots, brushing boots are a staple piece of equipment for most horse owners. These boots offer effective protection against injury and light compression around the cannon bone, that can provide a supportive feeling for many horses, as well as reassurance for the rider. The modern brushing boot is also likely to be lightweight, durable and the most cost-effective boot for everyday use. Some are used regularly for turnout too as a lightweight and comfortable option for wearing all day. How do I find the right size? Whilst sizing of brushing boots is likely to vary from brand to brand, there are a few key features you can look out for to make sure you have the best size and fit for your horse: Take measurements. Most boot brands will offer boots in sizes ‘small’, ‘medium’ and ‘large’ or ‘pony’, ‘cob’ and ‘full’, but these can be rather abstract terms (as many of us will have experienced when trying to shop for clothes – one shop’s ‘small’ is another’s ‘extra large’!), so having an idea of your horse or pony’s actual measurements can help. Particularly as it is not uncommon to need one size for the front legs, and a different size for the hind legs Look at the strike pad. The size and shape of the strike pad can not only dictate the amount of protection the boot can offer, but it can also influence how the boot stays in place on a horse’s leg. For example, a large round oval shape strike pad may appear to provide a large area of protection, but if fitted to a fine leg may cause the boots to twist or drop during use. Look at the straps. The humble brushing boot is now available with every type of strap or fixing system imaginable; single lock, double lock, strapless, stud… The list goes on! When choosing your boots, be sure to look for a fixing system that is quick and easy to fit and remove, but that is also going to be secure. What if a brushing boot is not enough? For many horses in low to mid-level work, a set of brushing boots provides ample protection for everyday knocks and scrapes. For higher impact disciplines or horses who need more protection, you may wish to look for a boot that has additional areas of strike protection, like the Tri-Zone All Sports Boots or Impact Sports Boots. So what’s the verdict? A good pair of brushing boots should certainly be on the list of ‘must-have’ items for any horse owner, but there are points to consider before purchasing. Performance, fit, and protection are all key factors when choosing your new brushing boots. Many riders now look for a balance between fashion and function when purchasing new products, and whilst it’s important to look and feel good with your horse, your boots should always be up to the task of protecting your horse’s delicate legs.

When considering boots for our horses, whether they are tendon boots, brushing boots, schooling boots or cross country boots, most horse owners are now aware that the ‘modern’ horse boot should be breathable, but do we really understand the importance of choosing a breathable boot for our horses? Firstly we must consider the horse’s leg. The horse’s leg is made of many bones, joints and muscles with a complex structure of tendons and ligaments that support the weight of the horse’s body. Because of the workload often put upon them, tendons and ligaments are frequent sites of injury and disease. What is heat in the leg? As tendons and ligaments continually extend and contract to allow the horse to move, they create heat as a ‘by-product’. This is a natural process. However by design, horses tendons operate near failure limits when exercising – there’s a fine balance! Temperature and Tendon Damage Work by Alan Wilson and Allen Goodship (1994) at the University of Bristol showed that the temperature inside the tendons of horses galloping without boots on could reach 45°C. This is only second highest to muscle temperatures. The tendon temperatures are very high not only because of heat production within the tendons, but because they have a relatively poor blood supply, which in any other tissue would help remove heat. Are these Temperatures of Concern? In 1997 the same group published the results of a scientific study in which they showed that isolated tendon cells in culture were sensitive to heating. When the tendon cells were heated for 10 minutes at 45°C, around 10% died, but when they were heated to 48°C for 10 minutes then around 80% died. These results were also confirmed by a more recent study of equine tendon cells in Japan (Hosaka et al. 2006). This study also showed that the higher the temperature, the more tendon cells that died and that inflammatory mediators were released after heating. Inflammatory mediators are chemicals and hormones within the body that cause inflammation (heat, swelling, pain) and tissue damage. If tendon core (central) temperatures can reach 45°C during a few minutes galloping without boots, it is almost certain that they will get even hotter when boots are being worn. What happens when you use boots on your horses legs? The fact that the lower leg gets hot during exercise and even hotter when boots are used presents another potential problem: sweating. When boots are removed the leg underneath is often wet from sweat. When skin is in contact with moisture for a long time it becomes hyper-hydrated; this is the effect you see if you stay in the bath for too long. Wet skin cannot “breathe” normally, and it becomes more permeable allowing greater absorption of anything on the skin. Wet skin is also more susceptible to mechanical damage, with an increased risk of abrasions and grazing. Finally, wet skin is also more susceptible to bacterial or fungal attack and hence a potentially increased risk of conditions such as mud fever, caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. Considerations: Many boots claim to be breathable, however some boots are more breathable than others. Materials and Boot Structure You may like to ask yourself, do the boots you currently use leave your horse’s legs hot after exercise, are the legs sweaty? Look closely at the materials used next to your horse’s skin. Consider the thickness and padding around the leg. Do they look well ventilated? How do they allow the heat to escape from the leg? Do they have a hard outer shell or rigid panels that cover a large area? You might want to do some research on the materials used within the boot you are using too!   Choose the Right Boot for the Job Primarily horse boots are worn to protect the horse’s legs from penetration or concussion injuries during exercise or turnout. But do think carefully about wearing the right boot for the activity you are doing. Often a highly protective boot isn’t necessary for low level schooling and will often be bulky and heavy and without allowing the horse’s leg to breathe. Limit Time on the Leg It’s important to make sure boots are used only during the period of actual exercise and not left on for long periods when the horse is not active, especially after exercise. Removing boots soon after exercise and cooling the legs is advisable. Our Standards When developing our Boots, Wraps and Chaps not only do we source advanced technical fabrics with breathable properties, but we actually test these factors in a laboratory. See our Boot Testing Methods. Our Tri-Zone Range features brushing boots, all the way to breathable cross country boots. Tested in an independent laboratory to ensure that they are not only providing lightweight, flexible protection, but that they are also importantly, breathable too! Our Stretch & Flex leg wraps were one of the first ‘breathable boots’ on the market. Made from an actively breathable fabric called Stomatex®, Stretch & Flex are designed to offer comfortable, flexible support for dressage schooling, flatwork and light hacking. Stomatex® is made of a special type of Neoprene which repels external water, while actively pumping moisture away from the skin through tiny pores in the fabric. Originally developed for human athletes, Stomatex® was designed to provide four-way stretch, to enable use around mobile joints, plus excellent support for active limbs, and an outstanding ability to keep the skin dry, so it could be worn comfortably for many hours. Conclusion: It is important to choose boots or bandages that allow a good rate of heat loss, and consider the length of time boots and bandages are worn by the horse. Extracts taken from: The Pros & Cons of Equine Boots by Dr David Marlin www.drdavidmarlin.com

Animal physiotherapy including Massage and Magnetic use, has become increasingly popular for the maintenance of horses in recent years, but do we really know which product is best suited to use on our horses and when?

Daylight is getting longer and the temperatures are lifting, which means…the competition season is within sight! Why not get prepared and take a look at these essential products we believe you need this season? The boot that does it all! The Tri-Zone Impact Sports Boots are ideal for any high-impact activity, including Cross Country, Polo, and Racing to give your horses’ legs the ultimate protection. They offer the perfect balance of weight, protection, breathability and flexibility. There is no need to worry about them getting wet in water combinations either as they are still lightweight even when wet! SHOP NOW Everyone needs to relax after a competition, especially our horses! The Equilibrium Massage Pad is a fantastic way to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation. You could even pamper them with a massage before they compete to ensure they are feeling their best. It has three different, easily adjustable programs so you can choose the most suitable intensity of the massage. SHOP NOW Comfortable, flexible and super soft schooling dressage wraps! These Training Wraps are soft & comfortable and give fantastic support. They are ideal for both dressage and schooling, so why not grab yourself a pair that you can pop on in the warm up? Their extra thick soft padding supports and protects the tendons, the inside of the cannon bone, and the fetlock joint, whilst looking nice and smart! SHOP NOW Smart, weather-proof, and scientifically tested! We all know that accidents happen, so why take the risk when travelling your horse? The Stellar Safety Headcollar is designed to break when your need it to, helping prevent injury! Scientifically tested, the Stellar is made to release when poll pressure is applied, with an average of 83kg downward force - strong enough for safe horse handling, but low enough to prevent serious injury to the horse in the event of an incident! SHOP NOW Does your horse get frustrated and bored waiting long hours by the lorry on competition days? Why not try our Calmmunch? It is made from top quality Timothy grass and is a unique, healthy, tasty, high fibre, low calorie, low sugar, cereal free snack. The Munch Net can also be used with it to increase the eating time – an essential for fast eaters! SHOP NOW

Should horse boots be considered as safety equipment? You must have heard of the phrase ‘no hoof, no horse’? Well, this could ring true for a number of other things too, such as their lower legs – one of the most common areas to be damaged or suffer from injury. As riders, we protect our most vital areas (head and torso) with riding hats, body protectors and more recently air jackets. Rider protective equipment is subjected to extensive testing to meet standards and regulations. We believe that protective boots for your horse’s legs should undergo a similar testing process, which is why we send our Tri-Zone Boots to be tested by an independent laboratory, before they go near a horses’ leg. So what features should you be looking for in a pair of boots? The primary function of a boot is protection. There is little evidence to suggest that boots can provide support, although boots are commonly sought out for this use too. The problem is, you can’t tell how protective a boot is, just by simply looking at it. The only way to tell if a boot is protective enough is for it to be tested under controlled conditions, to forces that we can replicate (such as when a horse hits a fence, over reaches or strikes itself with another limb). There are some other factors to be considered too, which can potentially hinder performance or increase the risk of injury. So what other features should be looked at? Flexibility or Stiffness Rigid or inflexible boots have the potential to restrict joint movement, which in return can affect stride characteristics and performance, and possibly even compromise tendon function. Boots need to allow as much freedom of movement as possible while still providing enough protection. Weight and Ability to Hold Water The more weight added to a horse's leg, the more effort the horse will have to use to move that weight - resulting in unnecessary effort and wear and tear. It can also change the way the horse moves too. If the horse is likely to go through water, taking into consideration how much water will be held by the boot, will impact the weight on the horses' leg too. Breathability and Insulation Tendons naturally get warmer through the process of loading and unloading during exercise. The ideal boot would allow this heat to escape, instead of insulating it. It's a fairly well known concept, but also backed by research, that tendons are particularly sensitive to heat, and it can result in tendon damage and/or inflammation. Fit of the Boot The bot should of course be comfortable for the horse too - we know when we wear ill-fitting boots they can not only rub, but also cause you to change the way you move to try avoid the pressure the boot is putting on a certain area. A correct fit will also ensure debris and surface does not get underneath the boot to cause any irritation. Lastly, over-tightening of boots and/or bandages can cause restriction and rubbing too. Our Unique 3-Phase Testing Process Tri-Zone boots go through a 3-phase testing process, giving you the confidence that you are choosing the best leg protection for your horse. Materials are carefully selected to provide maximum protection but without being bulky, heavy and not make your horses legs hot and sweaty. Each individual layer in the Tri-Zone boot is researched and sourced for their advanced technical properties and tested in an independent laboratory before it goes anywhere near a horse's leg! FIND OUT MORE

The Brushing Boot. Usually the first boot you buy for your new horse or pony, and the one that’s probably been around the longest too. Traditionally used to protect the inside of your horse’s cannon bone and fetlock against brushing, these boots are simple to fit, quick to take off and do their job.  But could they be better? Brushing Boot Materials:  Usually made of neoprene, there isn’t much to a brushing boot. There’s normally a strike guard on the inside to protect against brushing (where one leg strikes or ‘brushes’ the inside of the other leg).  Neoprene is generally a non-breathable material with a ‘closed cell structure’. Not only can this cause your horses’ legs and tendons to get hot, but it can also cause them to sweat more, leading to skin and tendon damage (find out why it’s important to keep them cool and dry here).  There are also some horses who are allergic to neoprene. So, for such a commonly used boot used for such a variety of disciplines – why did the industry choose neoprene as a suitable material for horses’ legs?  Although it compromises some vital aspects in horse leg care, the material does offer some benefits too. It generally doesn’t hold water, and it is normally flexible and comfortable for your horse to wear.  Brushing Boot Fit:  While a lot of horses can brush the inside of their legs, the rest of the leg is left vulnerable to overreaching, or potentially even hitting objects. Sometimes if you’re out hacking and need to open a gate your horse may step into it, you may decide to jump a log out in the woods and your horse could misjudge and hit it with the front of its legs. Your horse could slip causing their back legs to go underneath them, so they may want more protection down the back of their legs. Brushing boots provide what they are designed to – protection from brushing! But depending on the horse, the activity, and the circumstance, this isn’t always enough and there’s certainly room for improvement.  What is the answer to a modern-day brushing boot?  There are certain things we expect from a ‘modern’ boot.  Comfortable fit including flexibility while staying light on the horses’ leg. Breathable material to keep the legs cool and sweat free. Protective material to give some cushioning to the leg. Easy to use, maintain and long lasting.  Introducing the Tri-Zone Brushing Boot Expect MORE from a Brushing Boot. More breathable, lightweight and flexible, these boots have tested protection and are the MOST breathable in the Tri-Zone Range. Easy to use and care for, they are ideal for gentle schooling, hacking and turnout!  The Tri-Zone All Sports Boots A small 'step-up' from the Brushing Boot, providing all round tested protection for all disciplines – whether you’re hacking down the road or jumping cross country! With no neoprene, tested for breathability, protection and flexibility, all while remaining lightweight and comfortable for your horse to wear.  Rated 5/5 on Feefo "The Sport Boots have been tested jumping, cross country and on fun rides numerous river crossing where the boots stayed on and felt fantastic. The boots are easy to wash and would highly recommend."

Some horses, if in discomfort or particularly sensitive, may find massage over stimulating. Using heat on its own is a great tool in these conditions as it is very non invasive, and is usually accepted well by even the most sensitive of souls. Heat should be concentrated on a small area for best effect. For other horses, its a great tool either on its own or combined with massage that reaps several benefits. Lets explore them! The Benefits of Heat. Heat can help to: Support healthy muscles and soft tissue. Warm up muscles or joints before exercise. Maintain lymphatic function. Increase metabolic and nerve activity. But what does this mean? In essence, heat can help our horses feeling good and promotes healthy muscles, so that they can perform at their best. Not only that, but it gives some of that necessary R&R time that we all need. Which Horses can Benefit from Heat? In short - any horse! But here's a few specifics: -             Older horses. -             Horses that are slow to warm up. -             Young horses who are learning new things. -             Horses undergoing retraining and recruiting new muscles. -             Those returning to work after a period of rest. -             Horses working hard and/or competing.     -             For any horse or pony to enjoy!  How to Deliver EFFECTIVE Heat for Your Horse. Providing heat is one thing, but providing reliable, repeatable and safe heat that is effective is another! To have an effect it is thought the tissue temperature needs to increase by at least 3 to 5°C from the resting temperature (Bockstahler et al, 2004). Our solution to this is a handy, battery operated product. The Massage Mitt Hotspot has been tested and is achieving an average of 8.7°C increase to skin temperature whilst still remaining well within the safe limits. Comparing it to other alternatives currently used for horses, we look at the various challenges associated with these and how the Hotspot can help. Comparing traditional heat methods to the Massage Pad Heatsense and Massage Mitt Hotspot  Negatives of Hot Water Bottle/Wheat Bag Positives of Massage Pad Heatsense & Massage Mitt Hotspot Unpredictable temperatures. Set to a specific target temperature with a cut off to prevent overheating. Starts very hot – can be a shock to the skin. Starts at ambient temperature and gradually increases to pre-determined maximum temperature. Starts to cool down quickly. Set to maintain correct temperature. A lot of heat lost to the atmosphere. Insulated to help reduce heat loss. Need access to hot water/microwave. Battery operated to deliver numerous sessions. Covers need to be washed – not straightforward with a wheat bag. Easy to wipe clean - and you could even use the Hotspot on yourself!    Heated products in the Equilibrium Massage Range The Massage Mitt Hotspot Offering comforting heat and massage options, the Hotspot soothes and relaxes your horses hardworking muscles.  The choice is yours – pick from heat and 2 different types of massage. Tailor the massage with 3 different strengths. Fits into your daily routine with a 10-minute programme. There’s no muscle you can’t reach. Battery operated to take it with you wherever you go. Shop Massage Mitt Hotspot Here The Massage Pad Heatsense Combining reliable, tested, and intelligent heat with proven massage, the Heatsense is a great addition to your horse's daily routine to maintain good back health. Choose from heat, massage or both at the same time. Reliable, tested therapeutic heat output with sensors to the heart turn off/on depending on your horse’s temperature. Heat targeted to the most common areas of weakness. 6 Massage motors evenly distributed across the pad. Battery operated to take it with you wherever you go. Shop Massage Pad Heatsense Here

While we recommend soaking your munch blocks for dentally challenged or older horses, you may also want to soak them to encourage water intake when the weather is extremely warm, but also when it is extremely cold as a 'winter warmer'. Some horses can also just prefer to eat the blocks like this, so it is completely down to personal preference.  How to soak your munch block:  Ideally the bucket should be deep enough that the block will be able to be submerged in water, however any bucket can be used. For more shallow buckets as per the video below, you may just need to stir and break up the block more than a deeper one.  You'll need approximately 4 kettles worth of water to allow the block to fully expand. If you're tight on time, using 3 kettles of boiling/hot water, followed by 1 kettle full of cold water should allow the block to expand within 20 minutes, but be cool enough to serve almost immediately (always check the heat before serving to your horse). You can add water as needed depending on the consistency you or your horse prefer. If you're not sure, add water conservatively and check and add more as you require to get to the consistency you'd like.  We recommend serving your munch blocks soon after soaking to ensure they stay fresh, and ideally within 12 hours. Regularly stirring the blocks through the soaking process and manually breaking up the block will ensure it fully breaks up. Be aware to check for any lumps that may not have fully soaked before serving. Please use caution when handling the blocks with hot water. Should I soak Munch blocks in hot or cold water?  This is completely up to you, however warm or hot water will allow the blocks to soak faster. In our tests, blocks were completely soaked within 4 hours with cold water, but hot water can take as little as 20 minutes to fully soak a block. Either way, we would recommend serving the blocks as early as it is safely possible to do so to ensure they are fresh. 

The Tri-Zone range of boots are trusted by owners and riders to offer tested protection for their horse. The Tri-Zone range undergoes independent testing to ensure each boot is up to it's respective job - whether its a Brushing Boot or a boot designed for High Impact. Regardless of the protection level, each boot design is maximised to ensure it remains as breathable, lightweight and flexible as possible to ensure freedom of movement and comfort for your horse.  Read on to see what each boot is suitable for, and which would be best for you. The Tri-Zone Brushing Boot. Expect more from a 'traditional' brushing boot - these boots are the MOST breathable in the Tri-Zone range. Shaped and tested to protect against brushing injuries to the inside of the leg, these boots are ideal for gentle schooling, hacking and turnout for horses at LOW RISK of injury. If your horse is young, a bit 'all legs' or participates in a high impact sport such as cross country or polo, you would want to consider a boot with more protection in terms of a higher level of protection covering more areas of the leg.  The Tri-Zone All Sports Boots. This boot is essentially the ‘step up’ from the Brushing Boot. Well suited to the all rounder who does a bit of everything, but equally the happy hacker who enjoys long or fast rides, or goes through water! The All Sports Boots provide protection to the entire lower leg, including an internal strike guard over the tendon area, all while remaining lightweight, breathable and flexible. These boots are great for cross country, jumping, schooling, hacking or even turnout! Available in multiple sizes, including XXS, Medium Wide and Medium Narrow to fit all varieties of horses and ponies.  The Tri-Zone Impact Sports Boots. If you want maximum protection for your horse, this is the boot for you. While normally recommended for high impact sports such as cross country, polo or racing, if your horse is accident prone, ‘all legs’ or if you’re concerned about them – this boot could certainly work for you. Unlike both the Brushing Boots and All Sports, the Impact Sports Boots have a specific hind boot for maximum coverage. They have a similar make up to the All Sports Boots, but feature thicker material, as well as external strike guards placed in high-risk areas. The Tri-Zone Open Fronted Boots. Essentially an Impact Sports Boot with a open front, these tendon boots provide maximum protection to the tendon area, as well as some protection to the sides of the leg, leaving the front of the leg open and more vulnerable. Commonly used for show jumping but could also be considered for other activities due to the open front nature allowing more air too the leg and the potential to keep it cooler than the Impact Sports Boots. Designed to pair perfectly with the Tri-Zone Fetlock Boots, which have a smooth lining and measurements to comply with governing body requirements*.  Still not sure? Get in touch for personal advice. *Always check with the relevant rule books