July 2008

Horse Bell Boots

Bell boots are cheap insurance that you just can’t afford not to have.

By Horse Journal staff report

Bell boots protect against injuries to the coronary band and heel bulbs—areas that, when hurt, can cause lameness, bleed heavily, are slow to heal and may cause permanent problems. Damage from a shoe slicing into these areas is something to avoid.

Bell boots come in two general styles, pull-on or Velcro closure. The pull-ons are rubber or a synthetic with similar texture and will stretch somewhat. To apply these, pick up the leg, pull the neck of the boot over the toe and then up to mid- pastern level. At this point, the bell of the boot will be facing toward the fetlock

Many horses are turned out in bell boots, and using a bright color will make lost bells easier to find.

and inside out. You simply flip it down…