Seasoned riders disagree on whether or not a horse should wear splint boots on the trail.

Some trail riders insist on putting splint boots on all horses; others explicitly avoid them. So, are splint boots helpful for trail horses, or not? It depends. Veteran high-country rider and Tennessee Walking Horse breeder William J. Erickson always rides with good-quality splint boots covering his horses’ lower legs, as the landscape he covers — including rocky trails and stream crossings, rough brush, and jagged outcroppings — is fraught with danger. Such terrain could easily snag a lower leg, causing injury.

Some desert riders also use splint boots to protect against cactus needles and even snakebites. And boots can protect young horses, which are prone to accidentally striking their forelegs with their hind hooves.

However, seasoned Montana outfitter Dan Aadland believes that relying on splints for everyday riding can backfire, especially on a young horse learning how to use his body and whose body is still developing, because the splint’s rigid form prevents natural flexion of the tendons and muscles. These soft tissues thus will rely on the boot’s artificial support, rather than developing naturally.

But horses that tend to step on themselves in varying terrain might benefit from the use of splint boots while they’re learning to negotiate trails, and/or as they tire. Note: Some leg boots are designed for joint support rather than protection. Match the product to your specific riding needs