Product Review - Stretch and Flex Wraps

Paj needs boots when he's turned out or being ridden.  He plays hard, and he's not always mindful of where his hooves are in relation to his legs. 

He's a few years older than he was in these photos, and he has a lot more freedom than he did at the boarding stable, but still he plays hard.  I've used "Dover Pro Sport Horse Boots with Neoprene Lining" for years.  But now that the days are warm, I've started worrying about how hot his legs get under the boots.  So after a little research, I bought a pair of -

"Equilibrium Stretch and Flex Leg Wraps".  The selling point for me was this - "These boots protect while breathable material keeps your horse's legs cool and comfortable. These boots are attractive, easy to use and great for hot weather".  (quote and photos from Dover Saddlery).

So how do I like them?  It's mixed.  They truly are cooler, and that was the point.  However, there's a learning curve to putting them on.  When they say "stretch and flex", they mean it.  You have to put them on a bit tighter than the usual boot, or they will slip.  I hate tack that slips, and I'm not comfortable putting boots or wraps on very tightly for fear of injury, which of course is what we're trying to prevent!  That said, I've found the happy snug fit where they're not tight, and they don't slip.  The other issue is - I'm not sure they are tough enough to do much good should Precious give himself a good whack while playing.  Oh, and the other-other issue is price.  They are considerably more expensive than Dover's Pro boot.   Of course after I bought them on sale at Dover, I found them much cheaper at Horse.com.

My rating?  2 hooves up (out of four)

Looking back at these old photos, I'm very pleased that Paj looks so much better now.  His muscling is better, his coat is shiny and his tail is full and thick.  We must be doing something right!  (But what was I thinking, turning him out bare legged?!?)

A Mighty Wind

Holy moley, did we ever have a wind storm!  We had high winds for three days, topping out yesterday at over 40mph, with gusts over 60.  Amazingly, there was no real damage.

We had a few twigs off an ash tree

and a side of the little arena rail blew over.

Paj helped me inspect it.

"Hey human, guess we can't work anymore.

Oh toooo bad!"

No such luck, Paj.

David put it back up in short order.

We were very lucky.  Even the birds were lucky.  We have two nests out back.  The empty nest blew down, and the one with hatchlings stayed put.  They are fine.