Q: Does my horse need overreach boots?
A: Overreach boots, also known as bell boots, are worn over the pastern and the hoof and help to protect the heels of the horse’s front feet from being struck by the hind legs during movement. Overreach boots also help to prevent a horse from taking off his front shoes with his hind feet.
These boots are usually made from synthetic materials or rubber and are fastened either with a Velcro strap or a buckle of sorts. The most traditional (and generally cheapest) type of overreach boots are simply pulled on, stretched over the top of the horse’s hoof and are then left on until the boots need to be replaced, which unfortunately happens more often than we would like!
Overreach boots should only be worn when needed, such as in the paddock or during work if your horse has a tendency to overreach or pull his front shoes while working. If your horse wears overreach boots that can’t easily be removed, then make sure they are turned up at night and during grooming, so that the foot and pastern area can breathe. Make sure you clean the area under the boot every day and that the leg is not wet or injured underneath the boot. It is not healthy for the boots to cover the hoof for 24 hours a day – and unfortunately this is often what ends up happening. We therefore advise that you only use them if you need them. If your horse has been ‘over-reach boot-less’ until now and has been fine, with no injuries from the hindlegs on the heels of the front feet and no pulling of shoes when working, then there doesn’t seem to be any need for you to invest in a pair! However, if you do think your horse needs a set, it is worth spending the extra money to get a pair that are easy to remove so that they are not left in situ all day long.