Weighing Benefits Versus RisksTo boot or not to boot? The choice to cover a horses legsand with whatdepends on many factors unique to each horse.A main consideration is whether the horse has a specific need for protection, says Marlin, based on a previous injury, for example. Maybe hes had issues with overreach and clips his forelimbs with his hind limbs. Or shes got scrapes on the inner fetlocks where the opposite foot strikes. If that shoe hits the inner fetlock just right, you can get a chip fracture, he says.Horses at high risk of colliding with structures other than their own feetsuch as cross-country obstacles or show jumping fences taken at high speedsalso need protection. Horses hacking out through thick brush or on rocky paths need boots, at the very least to protect their skin from injury.Hill believes it makes sense to follow the lead provided in human sports. Human athletes use compression sleeves, tape, or braces to provide some support to areas that are unstable or a source of chronic issues, and I dont recall those applications being shown to their detriment, he says. Horses with chronic issues might still be able to have active careers with a bit of leg support, he says, and wrapping could help stabilize more recent injuries while they heal.Warning SignsOur sources agree: When used correctly, boots and wraps should only help, not harm. While researchers are still working on practical recommendations for their use, riders can take precautions to ensure these pieces of equipment arent causing new problems.Polo wraps must be applied with just the right amount of tensiona skill riders can learn from experienced horse people, veterinarians, or physical therapists, says Hill. Any inflammation or swelling could suggest the wrap was too tight, he says.Wet wraps might lose elasticity and trap moisture, putting the horse at risk of dermatitis (skin inflammation), Hill adds. Never apply a wet wrap. If the wrap gets wet during exercise, riders can complete the session, remove the wrap, and dry the leg.As for boots, they shouldnt slip, but they also shouldnt be overtight, says Marlin. Try putting an ankle bandage on, and make it really tight over your Achilles tendon, Marlin says. Then go for a run and see how that feels. You wont do it to your horse again.Riders must also consider external factors, he adds. The hotter the weather, the thicker the boot (especially foam or fleece types), the harder or longer the exercise, the hotter the tendons are going to get, Marlin says.Take-Home MessageRiders often apply boots and wraps to their horses legs for protection. But science still struggles to support manufacturers claims that boots and wraps help prevent certain injuries, and some researchers suggest they might increase the risk of tendon injury. Until evidence provides clearer guidelines, riders can aim to use properly applied boots and wraps wisely, recognizing their potential benefits and risks.Editors note: This article was originally published in the Riding Horse 2023 issue.