Shipping Horses in Hot Weather: Boots or Leg Bandages?

For protection against bumps and bruises while horses are being trailered, many owners use either shipping boots or leg bandages. Boots typically cover the horse’s legs from mid-hoof to the knees and hocks, fastening with several hook-and-loop strips. More traditional leg bandages are applied by wrapping quilted batting or layers of cotton around the horse’s lower legs and covering this with a long elastic bandage that is wrapped around the padding and pinned, taped, or tied in place.

Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, recorded skin temperatures of horses’ legs. The measurements were taken on horses without leg coverings, wearing boots, and wearing bandages. Recordings were taken at rest and after longeing.

Results showed that leg skin temperature did not change significantly between resting and post-exercise readings when the horses had bare legs. Skin temperature rose almost 10 degrees Fahrenheit in horses wearing boots, and more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit in horses wearing bandages.

While this research did not specifically address the use of boots or bandages during transport, owners should be aware that this temperature rise could contribute to overheating when horses are trailered. In hot weather, shipping boots might be a better choice than bandages, especially for long trips. Any leg protection should be removed to help horses stay cool after they are unloaded.