The best tendon boots for horses provide the backs of your horse’s forelegs with support and protection from strikes and blows that are caused by clashing opposing legs and hind hooves. This part of your horse’s leg is particularly vulnerable to injury as the majority of the tendons and ligaments run down the back of the leg.
As they’re made with shockproof materials, tendon boots are usually fairly rigid but they should not affect your horse’s ability to flex his joints – and it’s helpful if they’re lightweight, too. It’s important they sit comfortably and don’t cause rubbing, plus many are designed with ventilating materials to prevent heat build up. Open-fronted boots are particularly popular in showjumping as they allow your horse to feel the poles. Tendon boots are often paired with fetlock boots on the hindlegs and are usually available in matching sets.
Best tendon boots for horses
Weatherbeeta Pro Air Open Front Boots
Colours: Black or white
Sizes: Cob, full or warmblood
RRP: £67.99
H&H Review: 10/10
These Weatherbeeta boots have a lightweight, tough and durable outer with a breathable micro-perforated neoprene lining that contours to your horse’s leg for maximum comfort and protection. They feature vents for breathability from the inner layer through to the outer shell.
Read H&H’s independent WeatherBeeta tendon boots review.
Shires Arma Oxi-Zone Tendon Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: Cob, Full and Extra Full
RRP: £62.99
Directionally ventilated outer shell to keep air circulating and reduce moisture levels. The outer is composed of robust FlexiFit TPU and 3D Air Mesh for breathability. Lined with fine metal mesh, the ventilation system is pierce proof.
The perforated foam inner and waffle wicking lining is lighter than neoprene with low water absorption.
Veredus Carbon Gel Vento Tendon Boots
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: S–L
RRP: £199
These Veredus boots have been carefully designed so that heat released from your horse’s leg, while fresh air is allowed to enter without compromising on protection. The ventilation channels are horizontal (from the inside outwards) and vertical (from the bottom upwards), which is unique to this boot. The boots have carbon protectors combined with a nitrexgel shock absorber film within the boot.
A sheepskin-lined version of these Veredus tendon boots were reviewed as part of H&H’s independent testing scheme – read the full Veredus Carbon Gel Vento Tendon Boots review.
Equilibrium Tri-Zone Open-fronted Tendon Boots
Colours: Black or white
Sizes: XS–L
RRP: £59.99
H&H Review: 8/10
These comfortable, softshell boots from Equilibrium are designed and tested to withstand concussion and penetration while remaining incredibly lightweight, flexible and breathable. Using a unique combination of materials in a four-layered protection system, they provide a comfortable and lightweight alternative to the traditional jumping boot. They are easy to wash and come with a one-year guarantee.
Read H&H’s independent Tri-Zone Tendon Boots review.
Weatherbeeta Lite Open Front Boots
Colours: Black or white
Sizes: Cob, Full and Warmblood
RRP: £53.99
Lightweight boots with a tough PVC strikepad, and soft and breathable Pro Mesh TPU outer.
Features an easy-to-use sandwich closure and a breathable, micro-perforated neoprene lining that moulds to the leg.
Shires Arma Tendon Boots
Colours: Black, black/purple, black/blue or black/raspberry
Sizes: Pony, cob or full
RRP: £23.99
These open-fronted tendon boots offer protection while allowing the horse to feel his way. The protective outer shell is flexible and impact resistant, and the dense neoprene lining is breathable and shock absorbing. They fasten with double touch-tape with elastic inserts.
LeMieux Impact Responsive Gel Tendon Boots
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: M or L
RRP: £69.95
These boots from LeMieux have enhanced vented protection and a lightweight, shock-resistant shell that is anatomically moulded to support the fetlock and tendon. The rear and side vents release heat build-up as air enters the lower vents, flows around the tendons and rises to the upper extractor vent. The boots also contain a gel that absorbs energy and concussion created while jumping and protects against strikes while landing and turning.
WeatherBeeta Hard Shell Dressage Boots
Colours: Black or white
Sizes: Cob or full
RRP: £59.50
These dressage boots offer protection to the fetlock and provide tendon support. They have an absorbent 3D mesh that wicks away moisture to keep your horse’s legs dry instead of sweaty, and they have quick-and-easy release elastic pin closures to keep them secure.
Eskadron Pro Flex Sport Tendon Boots
Colours: Black or night blue
Sizes: M or L
RRP: £84.95 for front, £49.95 for hinds
These sporty boots are made from a TPU shell with reinforced protection zones and a soft yet absorbing neoprene lining. They are lightweight and fasten with wide elasticated straps and adjustable metal closures.
Fouganza 500 Tendon Boots
Colours: Black, blue, chocolate or navy
Sizes: Cob or full
RRP: £24.99
These boots, which have the lowest RRP in this list, have an ergonomic design, foam lining, elasticated fastenings and Velcro tabs. The shell also has reinforced areas over the fetlocks and tendons.
Hy Equestrian Armoured Guard Pro Reaction Tendon Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: M or L
RRP: £38.99
These lightweight durable boots are designed with a breathable and soft neoprene lining, added air vents and a hard-wearing outer shell. They are moulded to the shape of your horses’ legs to optimise flexibility, with over-locking touch-tape fastenings to ensure the boots remain secure.
Woof Wear Pro Tendon Boots
Colours: Black or white
Sizes: S/M, M/L or L/XL
RRP: £44.99
Woof Wear’s Pro tendon boot provides high level protection thanks to a PU shell while allowing cooling airflow around the tendons. They have reinforced and padded strike areas, and are designed to allow full flexion.
The boots are lined with 7mm breathable neoprene and nylon jersey for comfort. They fasten with elasticated double-locking touch-tape fastenings.
Lemieux Derby ProJump Tendon Boots
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: M and L
RRP: £44.95
These boots feature a close fitting TPU shell for protection with vents to help mitigate heat build up.
The inner lining is soft and features a cut-away design. The double hook and loop closure overlocks to ensure security.
Zandona Carbon Air Tendon Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: S–XL
RRP: £129.90
These premium tendon boots have strike zones that are reinforced with carbon fibre, while a layer of Gel-Tech padding absorbs impact. The boots’ design conforms to your horse’s leg, with differentiated thickness to optimise performance and cut-away flex zones to ensure freedom of movement. They also feature a perforated neoprene lining and air inlets allow air to flow through the boot to prevent over-heating. The boots fasten with two elastic pin-hook straps, and the tabs are finished with an easy-grip ridge for ease of use.
Majyk Equipe Bionic Hybrid Performance Tendon Boots
Colours: Black/silver, brown, black/blue or black/green
Sizes: S–L
RRP: £140.95
This boot combines a leather-look outer with with hi-tech carbon-infused strike pads and a number of colourway options.
The neoprene-free liners are removable for ease of cleaning and are highly breathable.
You might also like:
Brushing boots for all budgets
11 pairs of boots ready to go out on the cross-country course
11 pairs of overreach boots that will help to protect your horse
Unsure which jumping whips comply with the rules? Check these out
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access ready for the Olympics and more
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
