Best turnout boots for horses to protect from wet and mud

While turnout is a really important part of a horse’s management, it can be a worrying time for some horse owners – and the best turnout boots for horses could alleviate some of the concerns. Turnout boots can provide a protective barrier against mud fever, overreaching and knocks. They also keep legs cleaner and drier, which not only saves time but helps to maintain healthy skin.

Some styles offer more protection from knocks than others, so if your main concern is injury, then a tougher boot would be preferable to a pair of chaps. It’s also important to choose a water-resistant and breathable boot, as if they hold water they’ll end up doing more harm than good. It’s also advisable to wash and change the turnout boots regularly to prevent rubbing, so a pair that is easy to hose or machine washable and quick to dry is certainly beneficial.

These breathable boots create a barrier to mud from below the knee to the base of the heel. They are made of a waterproof and breathable fabric around the cannon bone to prevent overheating and feature a close-fitting hoof capsule with Kevlar reinforced heel protection. They also have a shaped PU strike pad that offers protection against brushing. Suitable for front and hind legs, they are machine washable at 30°C.

These high-cut boots, which cover the whole lower leg and pastern, are made with Air-Tech ventilated neoprene for maximum breathability. They are anatomically shaped to be comfortable and supportive, and have excellent stretch and recovery properties that allow the boot to mould and retain shape without impeding the natural action. They can be used on both front and hind legs and are suitable for use year round, but should be swapped every 12 hours to prevent rubbing.

These chaps are said to fit like a second skin with four-way stretch, the close contact chaps mould to your horse’s legs from below the knee or hock, all the way down to the coronet band. There are nine different sizes, including some slim and wide fits. While the main function of these is to keep legs clean, they also offer protection against both brushing and overreaching. They can be machine washed at 30°C and are quick to dry.

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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.

5 of the best turnout boots to tackle the mud

Best turnout boots for horses

Woof Wear Mud Fever Turnout Boots

Premier Equine Turnout/Mud Fever Boots

Equilibrium Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps

LeMieux Turnout Boots

Shires Arma Deluxe Mud Socks

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