Tendon Boots for Horses: Correct Fit, Heat Management & Real Protection

Tendon Boots for Horses: Correct Fit, Heat Management & Real Protection main image Tendon Boots for Horses: Correct Fit, Heat Management & Real Protection image
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.

Tendon Boots in Australian Conditions: A Practical Guide to Fit, Heat Control and Lasting Protection

Updated September 2025

A practical guide for Australian horse owners on choosing and fitting tendon boots correctly - balancing protection, comfort and heat management to keep legs cool, safe and sound through training, jumping and competition.

Ask any Aussie rider why they use tendon boots, and the answer is almost always the same: to protect delicate tendons from knocks and brushing. And they do that job brilliantly. What they can’t do is magically “support” tendons under the huge forces of galloping or jumping, but what they do offer is real-world protection against impact. That’s often the difference between a clean round and a bruised tendon.

Used well, tendon boots save legs, extend soundness, and keep horses more comfortable in training. Used poorly, they trap heat, rub skin, or slip mid-ride. This guide breaks down how to fit them correctly, avoid common mistakes, and manage heat in tough Australian conditions using Delzani Neoprene Sports Tendon / Sling Boots as a working example.

What tendon boots really protect against

Let’s bust a myth: tendon boots don’t “hold tendons in place.” Science shows forces on tendons are far too great. What boots do is act as an impact shield. They diffuse the force of a hoof strike, a knock on a pole, or brushing against the opposite leg. Instead of your horse’s tendon taking the full blow, the boot spreads it across its surface. That means fewer cuts, bruises, and tendon knocks, especially during fast flatwork, schooling fences, or cross-country.

Heat management in Aussie conditions

Every rider knows summer boots get hot. Studies show tendon temperatures can spike under boots and in Australia’s climate, that risk matters. The problem isn’t boots themselves, it’s how and when they’re used. The smart approach is:

  • Pick breathable materials: Elasticised neoprene offers shock absorption without suffocating the leg.
  • Limit wear time: Boots are for purposeful work poles, grids, gallops not all-day turnout.
  • Cool quickly: Remove boots promptly, hose legs, scrape and walk off to disperse heat.

Tip: In humid coastal regions, sweat and grit build faster clean boots more often. Inland riders in dry heat may not see as much sweat, but dust adds its own rub risk. Delzani’s tendon boots use 7mm breathable neoprene for cushioned protection with airflow across both extremes.

How to fit tendon boots correctly

  1. Clean first: Brush legs, shake boots. Grit + sweat = rubs.
  2. Position right: Lower edge cups the fetlock joint. Too high = exposed tendon. Too low = interferes with stride.
  3. Fasten in sequence: Middle strap first (alignment), then top, then bottom. Aim for “one finger snugness” firm, even, not tight enough to indent.
  4. Walk and recheck: Ten steps forward tells you if boots are twisting, slipping or flaring.

When to boot up (and when not to)

Boots should be a tool, not a fashion statement. Smart times to use them include:

  • Jump schooling, gridwork or cross-country
  • Fast flatwork and gallop sets
  • Polework or rollback turns with brushing risk

Skip them for turnout, hacking at walk, or standing around they don’t add support and may just add heat.

Myths vs reality

  • “Boots support tendons” → False. They protect from knocks, not overuse forces.
  • “Tighter is safer” → Wrong. Over-tightening causes rubs, swelling and circulation issues.
  • “All boots are the same” → Not true. Material, cut and design make the difference between comfort and rubs.

FAQs riders ask

  • Front only, or all four? Fronts cover the main risk. Add hinds if your horse brushes or you ride rollback turns.
  • Will they overheat legs? Any boot adds warmth. That’s why breathable neoprene and prompt cooling are key.
  • How tight is correct? One finger under the strap. Even pressure, no bulges or gaping edges.

The Delzani difference

Delzani tendon boots are built for Aussie riders who want protection without the problems:

  • 7mm elasticised neoprene for shock absorption with airflow
  • Contoured cut that follows the natural knee-to-fetlock line
  • Fetlock lock to resist twisting mid-ride
  • Reinforced Velcro closures that hold under pressure
  • Fully bound edges for comfort and durability

Correct fit plus smart use = protection where it matters, without overheating. Explore Delzani Tendon Boots breathable, secure and made 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.