The best brushing boots will not only prevent your horse from striking himself during exercise, but they will give some protection from external knocks too. There are a wide range of styles available – these range from stylish and colour-coordinated fur-lined brushing boots to ones with a more sporty, lightweight and ventilating design.
There are lots of different types of protective boots for horses, such as overreach boots, cross-country boots or tendon boots, but whatever your preference or discipline, it’s important to find a pair with a good fit for your horse. It’s also important to note that while some brands offer brushing boots in a wide range of sizes with a variety of width options in addition to the standard sizes, others have different designs for front and hind legs.
Best brushing boots
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Equilibrium Tri-Zone All Sports Boots
Colours: Black, white, brown or royal blue
Sizes: XXS–XL, including M-wide and M-narrow
H&H review: 10/10
Described as “the modern-day brushing boot”, these boots offer protection, breathability and flexibility and they have an internal tendon guard. They’re also easy to clean and quick to dry, and available in variety of sizes to get the perfect fit for the front and hind legs.
These boots are made from microperforated neoprene with anti-shock carbon strike pads on the inside of the leg for protection and are secured with a double Velcro closure. They also have a ventilation system that promotes airflow through air inlets and uses 3D mesh fabric to conduct heat to the outside and keep the legs cool.
Don’t be fooled by the name – these Eskadron boots are brushing boots and the confusion probably comes from the brand being continental. Regardless, they are soft and comfortable, with a breathable lining, while providing shock absorption and good pressure distribution.
These brushing boots offer protection without all the frills, making them good value. They are highly durable and have a new strike guard design and soft binding edge. They are also available in colours that coordinate with the LeMieux ranges and can be used on both the front and hind legs.
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WeatherBeeta Single-Lock Brushing Boots
Colours: Black, white, black/maroon, black/royal blue, black/turquoise or navy
Sizes: Pony – warmblood
Made from neoprene, these soft, durable and breathable boots from Weatherbeeta conform to your horse’s leg. They have a tough PVC strike pad and the adjustable touch tape closures are quick and easy to use. There are also two closures on pony and cob sizes, but three on full and warmblood sizes. Matching range available.
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Shires Arma Carbon Brushing Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: Pony – X Full
These Shires boots have a triple-impact support system – the carbon-effect outer deflects knocks and blows, the EVA foam centre is shock-absorbing and the breathable lining wicks away moisture. They also have a flexible fit and wide adjustable straps.
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Woof Wear Club Brushing Boots
Colours: 19
Sizes: XS-XL
Machine washable: 30°
These WoofWear boots have a padded PU strike pad on a 7mm neoprene base. They are also suitable for front or hind legs and are available in a medium extra-wide fit. Matching collections are also available.
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Hy Sport Active Brushing Boots
Colours: 10
Sizes: S–L
These boots are great if you’re into the matchy-matchy look as they are secured with coloured touch-tape fastenings that match the Hy Sport Active collection. They are made from soft, breathable neoprene and have durable strike pads to protect from brushing and impacts.
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Masta Air Flux Brushing Boots
Colours: Black, brown, white or navy
Sizes: Pony – extra-full
These Masta boots are made from a 3D spacer air mesh, which encourages airflow and prevents unwanted heat and sweat build-up. The inner material is made of lightweight perforated neoprene, while the durable strike pad is made of faux leather. It fastens with three, durable, elasticated touch-tape fastenings.
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Horseware Adagio Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: S–L
These lightweight boots are made from a technical layered memory foam that allows movement and flexibility while absorbing shock on impact. They also have a soft and smooth Lycra lining, which helps to reduce rubbing and support breathability.
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Mark Todd Pro XC Carbon Brushing Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: S–L
These boots are lightweight and have a TGP perforated foam inner but also feature a high-density strike pad for effective shock and impact absorption. They also have secure hook and loop fastenings which make them a good option for jumping.
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Shires Arma Neoprene Brushing Boots
Colours: 13 options
Sizes: Pony – X Full
These affordable boots are designed with a neoprene outer with touch closures. The neoprene absorbs shocks from impact but it’s also breathable and reduces sweat accumulation. It also features a contoured strike pad on the inside for added protection for the most vulnerable part of the leg.
Does my horse need brushing boots?
Deciding if your horse should wear brushing boots depends on their activity level, conformation, and history. Brushing boots protect the inside of a horse’s legs from injuries caused by one leg brushing against the other. This means that they are useful during training, exercise and turnout, offering essential protection against minor knocks and scrapes.
Additionally, for horses prone to playful behaviour, narrow chests, or who are unbalanced, brushing boots can be beneficial. However, if your horse is primarily used for light hacking, has good conformation, and shows no signs of brushing injuries, they may not be necessary.
Choose boots that fit well, are comfortable, and are made from breathable materials to prevent overheating. Regularly check the condition and fit of the boots to ensure their effectiveness and comfort.
What is the difference between tendon boots and brushing boots?
Tendon boots and brushing boots serve different purposes in protecting a horse’s legs. Tendon boots are primarily used for jumping and are designed to shield the tendons on the back of the horse’s front legs from impact.
They offer robust protection against strikes from the hind hooves, which is common during high-intensity activities like jumping or fast work. Typically, tendon boots are also open-fronted to allow the horse to feel the poles and improve jumping performance.
Brushing boots, on the other hand, protect a horse’s legs from injury caused by one leg brushing against the other, which can happen during various activities including flatwork, hacking, and light jumping.
These boots cover a larger area of the leg compared to tendon boots, providing all-around protection. Brushing boots are versatile and are often used for everyday riding to prevent minor abrasions and injuries.
Can a horse jump in brushing boots?
Yes, a horse can jump in brushing boots. While they won’t provide the same level of protection as tendon boots, they are suitable for lower-level jumping and general riding.
However, for intense activities or competitions, tendon boots are preferred due to their specific design that offers better protection for the tendons and the back of the front legs.
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Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
