As summer temperatures begin to climb, many riders have started rethinking their daily gear, specifically when it comes to wraps, boots, or nothing at all. Polo wraps and tendons boots have been go-to tools for supporting and protecting horse's legs during exercise, but in the heat, they come with a valid concern: overheating soft tissues.
So, are your wraps and boots helping or hurting? Let's break it down.
The Case For Leg Protection in Hot Weather
Polo wraps, brushing boots, and tendon boots are designed to protect soft tissues agains interference, strike injuries, or overstretching, which is especially important for horses working in physically demanding disciplines.
Tendons like the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), are under enormous stress during work. Even a slight misstep can result in a strain. Wraps and boots provide:
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Impact protection from brushing or overreaching
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Compression that may help reduce vibration and tissue fatigue
The Case Against Leg Protection in Hot Weather
But here's the issue: tendons don't just strain from overuse, they're also highly sensitive to heat. Research has shown that when tendons exceed a certain temperature threshold (around 47ºC or 116ºF), the collagen fibers inside of them can begin to break down.
Boots and wraps, especially those made of neoprene or thick materials, can trap heat against the leg and cause tendon temperatures to rise significantly during exercise.
In hot climates, this creates a difficult tradeoff: protection vs. overheating.
What You Can Do: Smart Summer Leg Care
You don't have to choose between support and overheating. Here are a few ways to protect your horse during the summer:
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Choose breathable materials. Opt for boots designed with ventilation or open front tendon boots. Skip thick polo wraps unless absolutely necessary.
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Work during cooler times of day. You can still use your preferred method of leg protection by riding in the early morning or late evening to avoid the hottest temperatures.
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Cool down legs immediately after work. Cold hosing or ice boots can help reduce post exercise heat and inflammation.
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Limit duration of use. Put boots on right before you get on, and take them off immediately after.
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Monitor for heat. Feel tendons before and after riding. If they're extremely warm, you may need to adjust your gear.
Supplementing with Tendonall
While leg protection and routines help manage external stress, Tendonall, supports the internal resilience of your horse's tendons and ligaments–no matter the season.
Formulated to promote collagen strength, elasticity, and recovery, Tendonall helps support tendon structure under heat and stress, aids in the repair of micro-tears and damage, and reduces long-term injury risk in performance horses.
In the heat of the summer your horse's legs are working harder than you think. While boots and wraps offer important protection, being smart about when and how to use them can make all the difference. Pair smart gear choices with consistent internal support to give your horse the best chance at lasting soundness, no matter the weather.
Boots, Wraps & Summer Heat: Are You Protecting or Overheating Your Horse's Legs?
As summer temperatures begin to climb, many riders have started rethinking their daily gear, specifically when it comes to wraps, boots, or nothing at all. Polo wraps and tendons boots have been go-to tools for supporting and protecting horse's legs during exercise, but in the heat, they come with a valid concern: overheating soft tissues.
So, are your wraps and boots helping or hurting? Let's break it down.
The Case For Leg Protection in Hot Weather
Polo wraps, brushing boots, and tendon boots are designed to protect soft tissues agains interference, strike injuries, or overstretching, which is especially important for horses working in physically demanding disciplines.
Tendons like the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), are under enormous stress during work. Even a slight misstep can result in a strain. Wraps and boots provide:
The Case Against Leg Protection in Hot Weather
But here's the issue: tendons don't just strain from overuse, they're also highly sensitive to heat. Research has shown that when tendons exceed a certain temperature threshold (around 47ºC or 116ºF), the collagen fibers inside of them can begin to break down.
Boots and wraps, especially those made of neoprene or thick materials, can trap heat against the leg and cause tendon temperatures to rise significantly during exercise.
In hot climates, this creates a difficult tradeoff: protection vs. overheating.
What You Can Do: Smart Summer Leg Care
You don't have to choose between support and overheating. Here are a few ways to protect your horse during the summer:
Supplementing with Tendonall
While leg protection and routines help manage external stress, Tendonall, supports the internal resilience of your horse's tendons and ligaments–no matter the season.
Formulated to promote collagen strength, elasticity, and recovery, Tendonall helps support tendon structure under heat and stress, aids in the repair of micro-tears and damage, and reduces long-term injury risk in performance horses.
In the heat of the summer your horse's legs are working harder than you think. While boots and wraps offer important protection, being smart about when and how to use them can make all the difference. Pair smart gear choices with consistent internal support to give your horse the best chance at lasting soundness, no matter the weather.