Most of us choose to put a set of travel boots on our horse in order to protect their limbs while being transported in a horsebox or trailer.
Travel boots differ from other types of horse boots as they cover the entire lower limb. Front travel boots protect from the top of the knee to bottom of the hoof, while hind boots protect the hock down to the hoof.
A full set of travel boots helps to ensure that there is limited exposure for any knocks, cuts or abrasions while your horse is in transit as well as when they are being loaded/unloaded.
The Your Horse test: travel boots
Your Horse’s testers put six sets of travel boots through their paces. Each set of boots has been assessed for fit, performance and value for money.
Find out what each tester thought below. Our testing process takes place over at least three months and more travel boots will be added to this page when their testing is complete.
Le Mieux Carbon Travel Boots
Le Mieux Carbon Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
The strong ballistic nylon outer fabric of Le Mieux Carbon Travel Boots resists abrasions and knocks, while the carbon nano-fibre lining effectively controls heat and sweat build up whilst travelling. This means moisture and temperature are regulated far better than in standard travel boots that have polar fleece or nylon/polyester linings. Robust PU leather heel guards offer additional vital protection.
Your Horse’s tester says:
“This is a great fitting set of boots that are a good shape and stay securely in place thanks to the three wide straps. The sizing is good — they fit both of my horses, who are quite different.
“These travel boots cover my horse’s legs really well and the padding adds another layer of protection.
“The lining is a little different to others I tested. It’s a wicking material that helps to keep your horse at a comfortable temperature, which removes the worry of legs overheating while the boots are on.
“I also found that the tough outer material of these travel boots is certainly robust, even with a lot of use.
“At less than £90, these are very good value boots that work really well.”
RRP £99.95
Colours: Black, navy. Sizes: Cob, large
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Hy Signature Travel Boots
Hy Signature Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
These stylish and practical travel boots offer excellent protection for a horse’s legs thanks to the ergonomic design with tough strike pads at the fetlock and point of hock. Held securely in place with touch tape fastenings, the boots have a comfortable fleece lining and a durable ripstop outer.
Your Horse’s tester says:
“These travel boots fit my horse well. They are not quite as well shaped as some other travel boots I have used on my horse, but they stay securely in place and cover the areas you want to protect the most, like the tendons and fetlock joints.
“The material is tough, and these boots hold their shape nicely. I like the colour — purple trim on the navy — too.
“There’s also a good level of padding that offers good protection to the legs. These travel boots are long enough to cover all the vulnerable parts of a horse’s leg.
“These are practical travel boots that come at a very good price.”
RRP £46.99 (US$56)
Sizes: Cob, full
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Woof Wear Travel Boots
Woof Wear Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
Made with a 600 denier ripstop outer and comfortable wicking fleece liner with high density foam inner, the Wraparound System offers increased protection to the coronet, knee and hock, while the hard PP hoof guards protect the foot. The fully adjustable straps ensure a snug fit.
Your Horse’s tester says:
“The material of these travel boots is quite stiff, which initially made fitting them fiddly.
“This has improved the more the boots have been used and my horse has become more comfortable wearing them.
“The shape is good and the hind boots in particular fit perfectly. I’ve found that the front boots are generous in size for my horse.
“They offer good leg coverage and stay in place even on a horse that doesn’t travel that well and is fidgety. The material is robust and the scuff plates only have a few marks on them after a lot of use.
“They are proving to be hard-wearing travel boots and good value for money.”
RRP £65 (US$80.52)
Sizes: Pony, cob, full size, heavy hunter
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Rambo Travel Boots
Rambo Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
These waterproof travel boots from Rambo incorporate reinforced panelling with their ergonomically-shaped designe and strike cuffs to the back of the heel for additional protection.
A smooth inner layer minimises friction on the horse’s legs when in use while also being breathable. The travel boots’ triple wide Velcro closure straps offer security and ease of dressing, making them simple and quick to put on and remove from your horse.
Your Horse’s tester says:
“These travel boots are smart and fit my horse well. They are a little more generous in size than others I’ve used but they are well shaped and cover my horse’s lower leg fully.
“The straps are secure and quick to fasten.
“Being more generous in size means that these boots wrap around the leg more to offer very good protection. They are also long enough to cover my horse’s hock and knee. The material is a little stiff, but it is tough and durable.
“Overall, these boots do a very good job, but they are a little more expensive compared to others I’ve used.”
RRP SALE PRICE £95.75 ($131.97)
Sizes: Pony, cob, horse
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the US? Purchase here
Weatherbeeta Wide Tab Long Travel Boots
WeatherBeeta Wide Tab Long Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
With a durable and strong 1200 denier outer shell and soft boa fleece lining for comfort, these travel boots offer your horse protection whilst traveling. They have three easy-to-use touch-tape closures to ensure a quick and easy secure fit.
Your Horse’s tester says:
“These are well-shaped travel boots that I didn’t find generous in size. The wide hook and loop straps makes putting them on and off easy.
My horse does have quite a bit of bone and the length of these travel boots is good, it’s just the width that isn’t so generous.
“They have stayed securely in place while being worn in the horsebox and the outer fabric feels really tough and is showing no signs of wear.
“The travel boots cover all the vulnerable areas you want protecting, and the soft fleece lining ensures that there is no rubbing.”
RRP £89.99 (US$62)
Sizes: Pony, cob, full
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Shop for more horse travel boots
We haven’t put these products to the test yet, but the following horse travel boots are also available on the market…
Premier Equine Ballistic Knee Pro-Tech Travel Boots
Premier Equine Ballistic Knee Pro-Tech Horse Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
These anatomical travel boots feature a layering system which incorporates shockproof materials for the ultimate knee protection. The filling draws away moisture and sweat whilst the lining is quick-drying.
They have a microfibre leather guards designed to protect the pastern area from cuts and abrasions. These travel boots are machine washable and come in a reusable zip-fastened storage bag. They can be colour-matched with a Premier Equine cooler rug for the ultimate equine fashion statement.
Colours: Black, navy, burgundy, green
Sizes: Small, medium, large
RRP £104 (US$119.61)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Premier Equine Airtechnology Knee Pro-Tech Horse Travel Boots
Premier Equine Airtechnology Knee Pro-Tech Horse Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
In case you’re wondering, no, these boots are not the same as the travel boots listed above.
The Airtechnology Knee Pro-Tech travel boots are ergonomically shaped for a close fit. The main body of the boot is constructed with a perforated shockproof material that allows air to circulate and heat to escape.
An integrated high-rise knee design features a layering system, which incorporates shockproof materials for the ultimate knee protection during travel.
Microfibre leather guards are designed to protect the pastern area from cuts and abrasions.
These boots are machine washable and come in a reusable zip-fastened storage bag. They can be colour-matched with a Premier Equine cooler rug for the ultimate equine fashion statement.
Colours: Black, navy
Sizes: Small, medium, large
RRP £132
Buying in the UK? Purchase here International delivery available
PolyPads Travel Boots
PolyPads Travel Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
These lightweight and protective travel boots are made from durable polycotton, with the double-layer of fabric providing protection and support. Unlike traditional rigid boots, the soft fabric of these travel boots allows the horse to move freely. These boots are machine washable.
Colours: Black, brown, navy, white, red, maroon, smokey grey, forest green, olive green, royal blue, ice blue, turquoise, purple, pink, plus additional binding colour options giving over 200 colour combinations
Sizes: Pony, cob, full
RRP £64.99
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
ARMA Travel Sure Economy Travel Boots
ARMA Travel Sure Economy Travelling Boots
What does the manufacturer say?
The ARMA economy travel boots offer comfortable protection for travelling horses. They have been designed using soft, flexible quilted fabric that cushions against impact without impeding movement, making them ideal for horses new to travelling or who have not worn travel boots before.
Colour: Navy
Sizes: Pony, cob, full
RRP £22.99 ($39.99)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the US? Purchase here
Epic Equestrian Classic Travel Boots – Broad Fit
Epic Equestrian Classic Travel Boots (Broad Fit)
What does the manufacturer say?
These travel boots have been created with heavy horse breeds in mind and they feature a registered patented design.
They have 360º shockproof protection to the knee, coronet, hock and feather.
The considerately designed flared shape of the boot protects the horse’s feather and legs, whilst the high cut design keeps the legs clean during transit.
The boots are made from a 1200 denier diamond weave polyester and have an antibacterial and antistatic lining.
They are ergonomically designed for heavy horses and ponies from 13hh-18hh+ who have an abundance of feather, plus draft-sized hooves and legs.
Colour: Wine
Sizes: Draft 1, draft 2, draft 3, draft 4
RRP £65
Buying in the UK? Purchase here International delivery available
What to consider before buying travel boots
Size and fit
This is key, as many travel boots anatomically designed to fit the horse’s limb structure.
Too small and the boot will rub or not be the appropriate length; too big and it could come loose while the horse is being transported.
Material
Travel boots are typically made from durable materials such as neoprene, polyester or nylon, and may have fleece linings for comfort. For horses that fidget or are prone to overreaching, choose travel boots with a higher denier or ripstop fabric. This will reduce the likelihood of the boots ripping or becoming damaged.
Level of protection
Keep in mind the thickness of the travel boots and factor in your average journey time when choosing which to buy.
Thicker travel boots offer more protection, but could heat up your horse’s legs.
Excessive prolonged heat can contribute to tendon and ligament degradation. This is why you should make sure your horse’s legs have completely cooled down before you apply travel boots to drive home at the end of the day.
More companies are designing travel boots with breathable fabrics to combat this, so keep this is mind if you plan to travel your horse for long distances.
Your horse
Travel boots are typically rigid and therefore may not be particularly comfortable for horses to wear. Some will put up with it, but others might hate it. Do what you can to help your horse become accustomed to them, without upsetting them in the horsebox or keeping them on to long while not in transit.
