Your guide to pony boots with This Esme

Ponies wear boots to protect their legs. But there are lots of different types to choose from, all providing slightly different kinds of protection. Many riders use a few types for different activities they do with their pony – here are the ones I use with Joey and Casper.

Brush it off

The main type of boot, which you can use for all different purposes, is a brushing boot. They offer all-round protection from below the knee to the fetlock but aren’t too heavy. This makes them ideal for jumping, hacking and flatwork if your pony needs protection. They have a strike pad on the inside of the leg and are done up with Velcro on the outside.

Did you know?

You can often buy brushing boots that match the rest of your gear. Some companies even do full matching sets, including boots!

Top Tip

Once done up, you should be able to fit two fingers between the boot and your pony’s leg to make sure they’re not too loose or tight.

Reach for it

Overreach boots protect your pony from overreach injuries, which is when he steps on the back of his front foot with his hindfoot – this is usually how ponies pull shoes off. They can be handy for all disciplines, but they’re really useful for cross-country. Some people put them on for turnout if their pony’s prone to pulling off shoes in the field, too.

Top Tip

If you choose to use overreach boots, make sure they’re large enough to cover the back of your pony’s hoof down to the ground.

Get your copy of March PONY on sale 12 January 2022 to find out more about pony boots