How to Fit Tendon Boots Correctly: Protecting Your Horse’s Legs Without Overheating
How to Fit Tendon Boots Correctly: A Rider’s Step-by-Step Guide
Updated September 2025
A practical guide for Australian riders on how to correctly fit tendon boots - protecting tendons, preventing rubs, and managing heat during training.
Tendon boots are one of the most useful pieces of tack you’ll ever own but only if they’re fitted properly. Too loose and they spin. Too tight and they rub. Add Australian dust, heat and long training sessions, and suddenly fit and care matter just as much as the boots themselves. This guide is written for riders who want practical, no-fuss steps to get tendon boots fitted right, every ride.
Step 1: Start With Clean Legs and Clean Boots
Rubs start with grit. Always brush your horse’s legs before booting up and check linings for sand or hair. A clean surface gives a snug, safe fit and keeps Velcro working longer.
Step 2: Position Knee to Fetlock
The boot should “cup” the fetlock joint. Too high and tendons are exposed, too low and stride is restricted. Delzani’s contoured cut makes correct positioning easier, following the natural line of the cannon bone.
Step 3: Strap Sequence Matters
Secure the middle strap first, as this locks alignment. Then fasten the top and bottom. Aim for snug and even: one finger should slide under the strap. Tight enough to stay put, loose enough to avoid bulges.
Step 4: Walk, Check, Adjust
Walk your horse 10 steps and look down the leg. If the boot spins, check alignment or size. Delzani boots include a fetlock lock feature that reduces twisting during turns and fences.
Step 5: Manage Heat Smartly
All boots add warmth that’s unavoidable. But you can manage it. Use breathable neoprene, boot only for purposeful work (jumping, poles, gallops), and cool legs promptly afterwards. Hose, scrape, and walk off heat before stabling or floating.
Step 6: Care Routine That Pays Off
A quick rinse and Velcro brush after work keeps boots grippy and clean. Dry them in shade (never on hot float dashboards) and store flat. This extends boot life and keeps your horse’s skin healthier.
FAQs Riders Ask
- Do I boot all four legs? Fronts cover the main tendon risk. Add hinds if your horse brushes behind or you ride rollback turns.
- Can I leave them on all day? No boots are for work, not turnout. Remove after each ride and cool legs.
- How tight is right? The “one finger” test is the gold standard. Even snugness, no gaping or bulging.
The Delzani Difference
The Delzani Neoprene Sports Tendon / Sling Boots are designed for riders who need secure, breathable protection without fuss:
- 7mm elasticised neoprene for airflow + shock absorption
- Contoured knee-to-fetlock fit
- Fetlock lock to resist twisting
- Reinforced Velcro closures
- Bound edges for comfort and durability
Correct fit turns tendon boots into real protection not just decoration. Explore Delzani Tendon Boots and ride knowing your horse’s legs are protected where it matters most.
Explore Delzani’s full collection of horse rugs - from lightweight fly mesh rugs to durable winter turnout rugs - all designed with premium fittings and features for Australian conditions.
Written by Jane Griffiths - An experienced Australian horse owner and product developer with over three decades immersed in equestrian life. Jane has spent years refining horse rugs, tack, and riding apparel to better suit Australian climates. She has enjoyed countless weekends at gymkhanas, show jumping events, and pony club competitions with her daughter, and still loves hitting the trails with friends whenever she can. Her lifelong passion for horses and hands-on understanding of equine comfort continue to shape her practical, rider-first approach to horse care and product design.
Related Equestrian Guides
Equestrian Horse Boots & Leg Wraps
Find your perfect pair of equestrian boots and wraps at Delzani. Our range of high-quality boots and wraps offers protection and support for your horse during training and competition.
Tendon Boots for Horses: Correct Fit, Heat Management & Real Protection
Learn what tendon boots really protect, how to fit them correctly, and the truth about heat build-up in Aussie summers so your horse stays safe, cool, and performing at their best.
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