[Midnight Felicity]

I do basic arena work and the occasional trail which should i be using? I have SMB's but i dont know if i need some splint boots too.
Thanks!

[MissKitty]

Either.

SMB's will add a little bit of tendon support.

Splint boots will just protect the splint area.

[Bernardo]

Like MissKitty said either.

I don't think it matters that much. If you have SMBs that your find don't change it.

At home I generally put splint boots on my mare (my trainer won nice white ones I like) And sometimes at home I REALLY like to put my funky polos on her because she looks cute lol.

But in the show pen I show her with SMBs because I have nice brown ones. (I hate showing her in white)

[MaggieSue]

Unless the horse has an injury-in which case you really shouldn't be riding-you really shouldn't need either one. Using these only heats up the tendon, causing problems! You want your horse to build up their legs by using them-you dont' want to wrap them and NOT allow them to build them up-which is what you do by using these. I have studied this with horses, and horses that used to use leg wraps/boots for every ride-used to stock up...without them, they don't.
Just remember...Less IS More

[KristinJ]

Use neither. If the horse can act alittle stupid and you MAY worry about them hitting, then slap on a pair of splint boots. Polo wraps/splint boots provide no support, just protect from hitting. SMBs provide a little support but really I wouldn't use them ALL THE TIME.

[Bernardo]

Originally Posted by MaggieSue

Unless the horse has an injury-in which case you really shouldn't be riding-you really shouldn't need either one. Using these only heats up the tendon, causing problems! You want your horse to build up their legs by using them-you dont' want to wrap them and NOT allow them to build them up-which is what you do by using these. I have studied this with horses, and horses that used to use leg wraps/boots for every ride-used to stock up...without them, they don't.
Just remember...Less IS More

I understand your point completely. But at the same time I think theres a time and a place for them. I couldn't imagine going into the reining pen without boots on their front legs. There's just to many manuvers where they could end up hurting themselves.

But like anything there is a time and a place for it. For example, the only time I put stopping boots on my mare for reining is when we are stopping in harder/bad ground. If the dirt is nice, or slick I go without. Especially in the slick ground I really want her to be able to feel it so she doesn't go in too hard and end up falling over on me.

[MissKitty]

Never had an issue with my horses stocking up. I think more of that is due to overstressing and then failing to properly walk out your horse.

[pippy]

I wear boots every ride - because horses do knock themselves when being riden - I'm a advocate of less is more - but never without boots. This may be because a) I do more techincal work, plenty of laterally and HEAPs of jumping. or b) i teach riders and they unbalance the horse, give the aids at the wrong time the horse merely swings a leg into himself - it just happens.

In saying that though - basic boots are all thats needed IMO fetlocks for the backs, and splint for the fronts/open fronts if jumping, and then the xc boots with the hard carbon shells.. but thats just me

[KristinJ]

Originally Posted by pippy

I wear boots every ride - because horses do knock themselves when being riden - I'm a advocate of less is more - but never without boots. This may be because a) I do more techincal work, plenty of laterally and HEAPs of jumping. or b) i teach riders and they unbalance the horse, give the aids at the wrong time the horse merely swings a leg into himself - it just happens.

In saying that though - basic boots are all thats needed IMO fetlocks for the backs, and splint for the fronts/open fronts if jumping, and then the xc boots with the hard carbon shells.. but thats just me

Agreed! If you worry about possibly hitting, by all means BOOT UP! There is no damage there. But with SMBs it seems some people overuse them at times, when they aren't needed to much.

[kewpalace]

Either should work but depends on what exactly you want to protect. And, as others pointed out, the less you have to use them the better. I use boots on my horse when I do reining and cowhorse events. I put them on to warm up and then they come off immediately after the class or lesson. I never wear them trail riding.