The Best Bell Boots for English Horses: What to Look for When BuyingIf you're an English horse rider, then you know the importance of having a good pair of bell boots. Bell boots protect your horse's hooves from getting injured when they're working out. There are a lot of different brands and styles of bell boots for hoof protection on the market, so it can be tough to decide which ones to buy. Tack Warehouse carries a wide selection of quality brands of bell boots designed for Dressage horses, turnout horses, and show jumpers. In this article, we will discuss the different things you should look for when buying bell boots for your English horse. We'll also recommend some of our favorite brands and styles! Benefits of Horse Bell BootsBell Boots help to protect your horses' hooves by absorbing the shock of impact and preventing injury and abrasions. Bell Boots are generally easy to put on and take off and can be machine washed when needed. They are made of a durable neoprene and rubber material that is flexible and will stretch to fit most hoof shapes and have a strong Velcro closure that ensures they stay in place. Bell Boots help keep horses from pulling off their front shoes. Why use bell boots for horses?Bell boots are an important part of any English horse's wardrobe. They protect your horse's hooves and allow them to move freely and comfortably. When choosing bell boots, make sure you consider the fit, material, and brand. With so many different options on the market, you're sure to find a pair of bell boots that are perfect. English horses tend to be athletic and short-coupled. The horse's hind feet can overreach and clip the bulb of their front foot or pastern, coronary band, clip their hoof wall or pull off their shoes. So why do horses wear bell boots? Bell boots are also called overreach boots, and the purpose of the bell boots is for the protection of your horse's front feet and horse's front heels. They are also used to prevent injury and pulled shoes. Equestrians know that nothing is worse than pulled shoes and a trip from the farrier... This can cause serious injury to your horse's hooves. Bell boots come down over the horse's heel and help to protect against these injuries by providing a barrier for your horse's hooves. What are the different types of bell boots?There are two main types of bell boots: overreach rubber bell boots and no turn bell boots. Overreach boots are designed to protect the horse from clipping his front hoof with the hindfoot when working or being turned out. The overreach boots come in rubber, and neoprene and can be secured with double locking hook velcro or are pull-on type that is pulled up over the hoof. The style of bell boot generally depends on the intended use. A dressage horse will generally use a well padded material type with fleece bell boot, a cross country rider will use a waterproof bell boot, a show jumper will use a rubber bell boot or hard boot and a ribbed bell boot for horses being turned out,    Bell boot material:Another important consideration is the material of the bell boots. Some bell boots are made of rubber, while others are made of a combination of synthetic materials. Rubber bell boots like the Centaur brand or KL select are usually more durable and offer better protection, and are easy to keep sand free and clean. Velcro bell boots are the most common. Some are made with Italian gum rubber which is stretchable and holds up well others are economy gum rubber that can crack over time. Some rubber bell boots come with thick bottom bell boots to offer fit and more added strength protection from tearing. A bell boot can be made of synthetic pvc, cordura or material. These types of bell boots are harder to clean but are thicker generally with neoprene linings and provide protection. Professional's Choice quick wrap neoprene bell boot that takes shock and concussion. Bell boots come in a variety of thicknesses and the rule of thumb is the thicker the bell boot, the better it will hold up. Some bell boots come with a fleece top: natural sheepskin lining around the top or synthetic fleece and are referred to as fleece bell boots. Veredus Olympus boots have a bell boot with a hard outer shell that wraps and protects the bulb of the horse and is used by show jumpers.
How do you fit bell bootsWhen you're looking for bell boots, the most important thing to consider is the fit. Bell boots should fit snugly around your horse's hooves, but they shouldn't be too tight. You should also make sure that the bell boots you choose allow your horse to move freely and comfortably. Make sure they are not too big that they come below the hoof and can be pulled or slipped off. 
Bell boots are usually sized to a horse's shoes. While this is all general information and it comes down to the horse's conformation... most common sizes are xs (00-0 sized horseshoes) , s (1) , medium (2) , large (3) , XL, XXL. Ponies and young horses take xs and small, cob-sized horses roughly 15' hands take medium-sized generally. 16' hands to 16'3 take large and over 16'3 take XL or XXL or larger for draft horses. Once you've found the right size, you'll need to put the bell boots on your horse's feet. Most bell boots have velcro closures that make this process easy. Simply wrap the velcro around your horse's hoof and secure it in place. When it comes to bell boots, fit is everything. Make sure you choose a pair that fits snugly around your horse's hooves but doesn't restrict their movement. You may need to adjust the fit of the bell boots as you go, but overall, they should be snug but not too tight. If the bell boots are too loose, they won't provide adequate protection for your horse's hooves. If you are not sure how to measure your horse's hooves, you can always ask a professional at Tack Warehouse, your local tack shop. What are therapeutic bell boots and why are they used on horses? If you're anything like me, you probably think of a horse's hoof when you hear the word "bell." But in the equine world, a bell boot is something entirely different. So what are therapeutic bell boots? Therapeutic bell boots are used to protect a horse's hooves from a concussion and support the tendons and ligaments in the lower leg. They're often used on horses who have been injured or are recovering from an injury. Therapeutic bell boots are used to protect a horse's hooves and legs from injury. There are three main types of therapeutic bell boots: magnetic, Back on Track, and ceramic.
 Magnetic bell boots are made with magnets that are said to help with circulation and pain relief made by brands like Veredus. Back on Track brand of bell boots are made from a ceramic material that reflects your horse's own body heat, which is supposed to help reduce inflammation. Ceramic bell boots have tiny ceramic beads in the lining that massage your horse's hooves as he moves and is said to promote circulation. So why would you use therapeutic bell boots on your horse? The most common reason is to help with injuries. But therapeutic bell boots can also be used for horses by providing support and protection. They can also be used to help relieve pain and discomfort from arthritis or other conditions. Are bell boots good for turnout? Bell boots are not just used while riding. Yes, bell boots should and can be used for turnout. Horses turned out can run, buck, play, and even slip. They commonly overreach and pull off their shoes. This is why bell boots are also referred to as overreach boots or reach boots. In fact, Equestrians use bell boots to protect horses' hooves from clipping the front horse's heels and from getting injured when they're turned out in a pasture or field. However, it's important to note that not all bell boots are created equal. Some bell boots are made specifically for turnout, while others are made for work or riding. When choosing bell boots for turnout, it's important to choose a pair that is durable and comfortable for your horse and easy to hose off. Woof Wear overreach bell boots and KL Select Italian gum are Tack Warehouse customers' favorites. Can you leave bell boots on all the time?Some horses have a tendency to overreach or clip themselves while turned out and riders will leave the bell boots on all the time. Generally, the pull-on style of boot is used for these horses. You may need to remove boots to let the horse's feet breathe and check the hoof and heel frequently because if you leave boots on for a while, it is possible for the horse to get bacteria and thrush on their feet or sores from rubbing. What are the best brands of bell boots?Some of our favorite English brands of bell boots include Centaur, KL Select, PS of Sweden, overreach boots by Equestrian Stockholm and Lemieux bell boots , DSB Dressage Sports Bell Boots, Woof Wear, and Veredus. There are a few different brands that we recommend when it comes to bell boots for horses. For rubber bell boots, we like the Centaur Centaur makes a variety of rubber and synthetic bell boots that hold up and are economical. Professional's Choice Sport Boots makes a nice no-turn, a quality rubber for cross country, and a quick wrap bell boot. Majyk Equipe bell boots are made of durable rubber and have a contoured fit that helps them stay in place. For synthetic English bell boots, we like the DSB Dressage Sports Bell Boot because it's a great durable material, lightweight, come in glitter, has fleece tops, and is soft and well made. , PS of Sweden Hoof Protection Boots and Equestrian Stockholm brands are also great bell boots we sell to many of our top Dressage riders. These boots are durable, easy to clean, and have a comfortable fit. No matter which brand you choose, make sure you select the right size for your horse. Find your favorite brands of bell boots at Tack Warehouse. And as always, Happy Riding!Do you have a favorite brand of bell boots? Do you use therapeutic bell boots on your horse? What type do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
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