![]() However, USEF presently has no reported plans to extend these rules to additional classes. The FEI recently extended these rules to all classes. USEF hind boot rules were only applied to horse age-restricted classes, specifically young jumper classes (ages 5–8). Within the FEI, these rules were first applied to all horse and rider age-restricted classes. These changes outline boot weight, dimensions, interior surface, strap compliance, and fastener types. Within the past several years, both the FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have implemented rule changes narrowing hind boot designs permitted in showjumping competitions. ![]() Prior research findings have supported the implementation of several rules regulating the design and use of distal limb coverings in equestrian competition. Additionally, weighted boots have been shown to alter the speed and degree of hindlimb retraction. Several different types of limb coverings have been shown to decrease the amount of fetlock dorsiflexion during forelimb loading. Past studies have demonstrated the ability of boots to alter equine limb biomechanics. Within showjumping, the design of distal limb coverings has been used to influence equine athlete performance, particularly hindlimb boots. Strategies may include nutrition, stabling environment, veterinary treatments, physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic work, acupuncture, training practices, arena surface management, shoeing, and equipment/tack choices. Horse owners, riders, and trainers implement many different strategies to maximize performance in equine athletes. This training is necessary to maximize horses’ potential to perform well in competition. These mechanical effects of pressure boots may contribute to greater tensile loading of palmar tendons and ligaments, and likelihood of musculoskeletal injury that can be related to animal welfare issues.Įquine athletes in many disciplines undergo rigorous training. Differences in loads with and without boots may increase with greater fetlock angles when cantering and jumping. Trials with the boot had greater average fetlock stiffness (Δ = 3 N/degree, p = 0.001). Differences in measured loads between trials with and without the boot were observed in both unloaded (Δ = 6 N, p = 0.05) and loaded states (Δ = 25 N, p = 0.002). Changes in limb load and fetlock angle between unloaded and loaded states, as well as average fetlock joint stiffness, were compared between trials with and without the pressure boot via ANOVA. During mechanical loading, fetlock angle was measured using bone fixed pins with retroreflective markers (30 Hz). Cadaveric hind limbs ( n = 6) were mechanically loaded in axial compression (3 cycles at 0.25 Hz, displacement control ~3300 N) with (2 trials) and without (2 trials) a pressure boot applied. This research aimed to investigate a more direct, mechanical effect of pressure boots on hind limb biomechanics. With this increased awareness, horses are expected to retract their hind limbs to clear jump rails. Manufacturers claim acupressure points enhance proprioception of hind limbs. Pressure boots are applied to hind limbs of showjumping horses with the intent to enhance jumping form. Greater tensile loading of tendons and ligaments may increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury and warrant concern for animal welfare of equine showjumping athletes. Differences in limb compressive loads contributed to greater tensile loads of palmar tendons and ligaments, specifically the suspensory apparatus. This difference in compressive loads increased with increasing fetlock flexion angle. Cadaveric limbs with a pressure boot applied required greater compressive loads to flex the fetlock joint than limbs without a pressure boot applied. This research aims to characterize the mechanical effect of pressure boots by measuring forces and joint angles of cadaveric limbs with and without a pressure boot applied. The size and shape of features on the interior boot surface suggest a mechanical mechanism may affect anatomical structures within the lower limb. ![]() However, this mechanism has not been verified within the scientific literature. Manufacturers describe pressure boots as using acupressure to improve a horse’s awareness of their own limbs. ![]() Similar to weighted boots, pressure boots are intended to improve the hindlimb retraction of jumping horses to reduce the likelihood of knocking down rails on course. Showjumping is scored by knocked down obstacle rails and time. Pressure boots are performance enhancing equipment used by showjumping horses.
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