How to Put on Horse Ankle Boots

There are various kinds of ankle boots to choose from for your horse. What is important when choosing an ankle boot is the size of the horse's ankle and the reason for the added protection. Not all horses need to wear an ankle boot. Watch the horse's legs when they work. They crossover, they move at high speeds, and they jump fences and land on hard ground. Each style of ankle boot caters to a different need of the horse. Ankle boots help the hind legs more than the front unless the horse gallops and jumps a lot.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Ankle boots
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what activities your horse participates in the most. If the horse runs, jumps and gallops much of the time, then you need to put ankle boots on all four legs. When a horse is this active, the hind legs tend to overreach and bruise or cut the front ankles of the horse. Protecting the front ankles can enrich the activity of the horse.

    • 2

      Measure the size of the horse's ankles. The ankle boot comes in small, medium, large and extra large. Match the measurement of the horse's ankle with that of the ankle boot. This is an approximation. Most ankle boots have Velcro fasteners, but some do lace. For this project, the ankle boot uses Velcro fasteners.

    • 3

      Purchase the correct ankle boot for your horse. You can purchase such items at your local pet supply store if it has an equestrian department. If you don't have a local store, you can shop online and have the item shipped right to your home.

    • 4

      Rub the horse's leg in a downward motion with your hand preparing the horse to lift its leg in a bent position at the knee. The ankle boot wraps around the ankle of the horse.

    • 5

      Flatten the ankle boot on the horse's ankle with the cups positioned on the left and right of the ankle bone. The ankle bones, as they protrude out slightly from the ankle, will fit comfortably in the cups of the ankle boot. Notice that the Velcro straps are on the outside of the ankle boot.

    • 6

      Hold the ankle boot in place with one hand and use your other hand to push the Velcro strap onto the ankle boot creating a snug fit. The purpose is to protect the ankle of the horse from cuts and bruises. Do not tighten the ankle boot so tight that you are giving the horse bruises and cutting into the skin.

    • 7

      Insert your finger between the ankle boot and the horse's ankle. If you finger fits without wiggle room, then the ankle boot is on with the desired tightness. Repeat on all of the horse's ankles if the horse is actively running, jumping and galloping. If the horse is not that active, then just use ankle boots on the horse's hind legs.