As their name suggests, the purpose of the fetlock boots, which are applied to the fetlock head of the horse's hind legs, is to prevent the horse from "brushing" one hind leg against the other, i.e. grazing, and possibly even injuring himself. Fetlocks are especially useful for young horses that are still very clumsy or if your horse tends to step very close. If your horse is shod, it makes a lot of sense to use boots.
Fetlock boots are available in a wide variety of designs and with many different features. Brands such as Veredus, Eskadron or Zandona offer products that provide breathability as well as protection. Different materials such as neoprene, TPU or carbon fibre are used and provide protective properties. Padded boots can also absorb shocks and soften vibrations.
Visually, they have also evolved. At Horze, you can get the boots in different colours and shapes, with sheepskin lining, shiny inserts or made of pure leather. There is something for every taste and every requirement.
Fetlock boots are a form of horse boot designed to protect your horse against injuries caused by brushing, i.e. touching one leg with another. If your horse is prone to brushing, fetlock boots are a good solution.
Fetlock boots are reinforced on the inside to protect the fetlock joint, and they are more flexible than standard horse boots. The boots are also available in synthetic material, as the wear is lowest here, but due to certain material mixtures they are more flexible than, for example, common hard-shell boots.
When putting on fetlock boots, as with all other horse boots, make sure that the side fasteners are always on the outside. This prevents your horse from accidentally opening the boots and losing them. If the fasteners are on the inside, they could also get caught in each other and your horse could stumble.
The boots must fit snugly on the fetlock head in order to protect it properly, and the carpal joint must always remain free. The fasteners, whether Velcro or buckles, should not be tightened too much so as not to cause friction or pain, nor should they be too loosely fastened, as that could cause slipping.
