SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Check Out Our Coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event!

Trail Riders: Boot Up With Caution

If riding in wet or muddy conditions, deep sand, foxtails or burrs, Michigan State University’s Department of Animal Science recommends leaving your horse’s boots behind. Debris-filled boots can rub and scrape, leaving your horse’s legs vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections such as scratches.

View Comments

  • obviously nobody there is a trail rider, or puts boots on their horse to begin with. i am a manufacturer of protective horse boots, and you'd be a fool not to use boots as a preventitive measure. i have 40+ horses and they all are outfitted with boots for exercise, show, and trails. there is one major factor if you are going to be using boots in inclimate weather, and that is to clean them after each use and your horses legs. but then again that is just plain and simple common horse sense.

Recent Posts

2025 FEI Basel World Cup Finals Hands Reins to Fort Worth 2026

As U.S. athletes look back on valuable experience gained at the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals in Switzerland, the next…

16 hours ago

How to Clean a Horse’s Sheath

If you’ve never cleaned a horse’s sheath, you probably have questions. First and foremost, is it really necessary? And more…

1 day ago

All Three Equestrian Sports Receive Final Confirmation for the LA 2028 Olympic Games

After a nail-biting two years of speculation about the inclusion of equestrian sports in the next Olympic Games, it was…

2 days ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Xanthus

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

2 days ago

Be Your Horse’s Joint Health Champion

Equine arthritis can affect horses of all disciplines and ages, and early intervention is crucial for maintaining comfort and performance.…

3 days ago

Tamie Smith: Taking It To The Next Level

Mother, grandmother, and winning 5* eventing rider—these three titles don’t typically go together. However, Tamie Smith, 49, is all of…

3 days ago