In equestrian sports, the prevention of lower limb injuries in horses remains a critical concern for trainers and riders. Horse bell boots, a common protective gear, have been widely adopted to mitigate trauma caused by overreach or interference. This case study examines the effectiveness of bell boots in reducing hoof and pastern injuries among performance horses.
A controlled trial was conducted on a sample of 30 show jumpers over six months. The experimental group wore bell boots during training and competitions, while the control group did not. Results indicated a 42% reduction in superficial injuries, such as heel bulb lacerations, in the experimental group. Furthermore, no cases of severe tendon damage due to overreach were reported among bell boot users.
The study highlights the biomechanical advantages of bell boots, particularly their ability to absorb impact and deflect strikes. However, fit and material selection were found to influence efficacy, with neoprenelined designs offering superior shock absorption. These findings support the integration of bell boots into standard equine injury prevention protocols. Further research is recommended to assess longterm effects on gait mechanics.