Which boots to use for xc??

[Beth&Rosie]

Just wondering what everyone thinks. What type of boots would you use for xc? I have brushing and tendon boots and my mare wears overreach boots anyway. Would you use the tendon or brushing boots or neither? Another quick question, how do you put a rubber martingale stopper on a martingale?? Thanks

[julz]

If her legs are good and totally sound (ie you dont normally boot her up) I'd just use the brushing boots.

Second question.. do you mean the rubber that holds the two pieces together? I immediatly thought the stopper that goes on the rein...

if it's the one for holding it together... it's hard, but make it easier by putting it in warm - hot water for 5 mins... makes the rubber more pliable so easier to work into position. Same with rubber bit rings.

[Beth&Rosie]

Thanks she does usually wear boots but just in case as for the martingale stopper it is the one for holding the pieces together but I was wondering where it goes on the martingale??

[julz]

if you put the neck piece over the ponies head, so it sits where you think it should.. just below the withers, but loose... then reins through rings (if running martingale) or loop in noseband if standing one... then hold the two pieces together at the point you think it looks most comfortable for the horse... You can always put the rubber on and adjust it as necessary... I'd put the thicker strap through first, then add the thinner one..

[anastasia55555]

I tried and failed with a martingale rubber a few years ago, given up on the martingale a while after too lol! the hot water soaking def does help, but i think i didnt really know how to go about it. Is there some one you could ask that would know how to get it on if your not sure? i used a hair band doubled up in the end lol!

[jennyb]

Put the rings through the rubber stopper (assuming you are using a running martingale) and slide it down the wide strap. Then undo the neck strap, and feed the non-buckle end through the rubber stopper also, so the rubber stopper ends up kind of diagonally crossing the wide strap and the neck strap.

To fit a running martingale, you should be able to get four fingers between the horse's neck and the neck strap. When the rings are not through the reins, take them in your hand and lie them along the line of the horse's shoulder. The rings should reach about 4" below the withers. Martingales fitted too loose are dangerous, you should make sure that it's fitted properly so as to avoid accidents.

Re boots, brushing boots are preferable for XC. There is some question about the efficacy of tendon boots, being as the pads squeeze the tendons from the side. Tendons are prone to injury from overstretching *longitudinally*, so squeezing the tendons from the sides is likely to do little or no good to prevent injury. You'd be better off with a plain pair of brushing boots!

[Deleted]

Just to add, if you're struggling with getting the rubber onto the martingle, I find a bit of liquid saddle soap helps a lot