Brushing boots are one of the most widely used items of leg protection in everyday equestrian work. They are fitted to the lower leg — usually the cannon bone and fetlock area — to protect against brushing injuries, where one leg strikes the inside of the opposite leg during movement. They are used across a broad range of disciplines and activity levels, from schooling and hacking through to arena eventing and show jumping.
What Brushing Is and Why It Happens
Brushing occurs when the inside of one leg makes contact with the opposite leg, typically at the fetlock, cannon bone, or pastern. It can happen in horses of any breed or age, but is more common in horses with certain conformational traits — wide chests, toed-out or toed-in feet, or horses that are still developing balance and coordination in early work. Fatigue, deep going, and fast or collected work also increase the risk.
The resulting injury ranges from a minor hair rub to an open wound on the fetlock or cannon. Repeated brushing without protection can lead to chronic skin thickening, infection, or lameness if the fetlock joint or tendons are involved. Brushing boots intercept that contact before it causes damage.
Construction and Materials
Modern brushing boots are typically constructed from leather, neoprene, synthetic materials, or a combination. The outer shell provides impact absorption; the inner lining — often neoprene, fleece, or a breathable fabric — cushions the leg and prevents rubs. Fastenings are usually Velcro straps or buckle closures on the outside of the leg.
Leather boots are traditional, durable, and smart in appearance — often seen in the show ring. They require regular cleaning and conditioning to stay supple. Synthetic and neoprene boots are more practical for everyday use: easy to clean, quick-drying, and available in a wide range of designs and price points. Memory foam and gel-padded boots are available for horses that need maximum impact protection.
Fitting Correctly
A brushing boot must be fitted so it protects the target area without impeding movement or causing pressure rubs. The boot should cover the fetlock and cannon bone without sitting so low that it interferes with the hoof or so high that it presses on the knee. When fastened, it should be secure enough not to rotate or slip — two fingers should fit under the straps without significant force, but the boot should not be so loose it can twist.
Straps should always be fastened from front to back, with the tail of the strap pointing backward. This ensures that if the horse catches the strap, it is pushed closed rather than opening under pressure. After every use, check the skin beneath the boot for rubs, redness, or heat — early signs of a problem that tightening or changing to a different boot can often resolve.
Brushing Boots in Different Disciplines
In show jumping, boots are a universal sight at all levels. Most riders use brushing or sports boots on the front legs and tendon boots or bell boots on the hind legs during jumping work. In dressage, the use of boots is permitted at training level but may be restricted at higher levels or in certain tests — the FEI ruleset governs what is permitted at affiliated competition level, and the FEI website details current boot regulations for each discipline.
For eventing, boots are used in all three phases at training level, though XC phase boots are typically more robust, with greater impact resistance, than schooling brushing boots. At hacking level, whether to use brushing boots is a matter of individual horse need — a horse with a known brushing tendency benefits from them; one that moves cleanly through its paces may not need them for routine work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use brushing boots for every ride?
This depends on your horse. If it brushes regularly, boots are a sensible precaution for all ridden work. If it rarely brushes and has clean, correct movement, you may choose to use boots only for more demanding work — jumping, fast canter, or working on deep going. The argument for using boots routinely is protection and habit; the argument against is that boots can trap heat and moisture against the tendons, which may be a concern in prolonged use. A balanced approach works for most horses.
Can brushing boots cause tendon damage?
There is research suggesting that boots fitted too tightly, or boots that trap excessive heat against the tendons over extended periods, may theoretically increase tendon temperature. In practice, for normal levels of work and with properly fitted boots, this is not a significant risk. If you are concerned, remove boots promptly after work, wash the legs to cool them, and do not leave boots on for hours after exercise. For horses in very hard, prolonged work, discuss boot choices with your vet.
What is the difference between brushing boots and tendon boots?
Brushing boots protect the inside of the lower leg from brushing contact — they have padding on the medial (inner) surface and cover the cannon bone and fetlock. Tendon boots are designed primarily to protect the back of the lower leg — specifically the superficial digital flexor tendon — from being struck by the hindfoot when jumping. Tendon boots have a reinforced rear panel and are open-fronted at the fetlock to reduce the risk of the horse feeling a pole on the front of its foot. Both types protect different parts of the leg and are often used in combination for jumping work.