Leg Protection and Heat: What Every Rider Should Know
Leg protectors are commonly used by riders to shield their horse’s legs from potential injuries. Whether during training sessions, in the pasture, or while transporting horses, these protectors serve as an added layer of safety. However, while they can help prevent injuries, leg protectors also pose certain risks, particularly when it comes to heat buildup. What are the potential risks and consequences of using leg protectors?
The Vulnerability of Tendons
The tendons in a horse’s lower legs are especially susceptible to injury due to their location just beneath the skin, with no muscle tissue to cushion them. Tendon boots and other leg protectors are designed to provide a protective barrier around these delicate structures, helping to prevent bruises, cuts, and other physical damage.
How Movement Affects Tendon Temperature
During movement, the horse’s kinetic energy—i.e. energy generated by movement—is partially converted into elastic energy within the tendons. However, , a significant portion is converted into heat (Birch et al., 1997).
Normally, this heat is dissipated through convection—where air flows around the horse’s legs, carrying away the excess heat (Clayton, 1991). However, when leg protectors are in place, they can insulate the tendons and limit airflow, trapping heat more and causing the temperature inside the protectors to rise significantly (Hopegood et al., 2013).
The Dangers of Overheating Tendons
Excessive heat can be particularly damaging to tendon cells. When tendons are consistently exposed to high temperatures, the cellular structure can become compromised, leading damage to the tendons over time. This can cause the increases the likelihood of serious tendon injuries, which can be difficult and time-consuming to treat (Hopegood et al., 2013; Wilson & Goodship, 1994). As a rider, it’s crucial to assess whether leg protectors are truly necessary, how long the horse will be wearing them, and the intensity of the training.
The risk of tendon overheating varies depending on the type of activity and the duration for which the protectors are worn. Higher-risk situations include:
- cross-country
- jumping
- driving
- higher ambient temperatures
- horse wearing leg protectors for extended periods.
In contrast, the risk of overheating is generally lower during lighter activities, such as a brief dressage session at low ambient temperatures.
Conclusion
While leg protectors play an important role in preventing physical injuries to your horse’s legs, they also come with the risk of overheating tendons, which can have serious long-term consequences. Carefully consider the type of leg protector (chose variants which reduce heat storage) , consider the type of activity, the duration of use, and the specific needs of your horse when deciding whether to use leg protectors.
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- A prospective cohort study on the acute:chronic workload ratio in relation to injuries in high level eventing horses: A comprehensive 3-year study 30 October 2024
- How Do Horses Regulate Their Body Temperature? 8 October 2024
- Leg Protection and Heat: What Every Rider Should Know 8 October 2024
- Optimizing Your Horse’s Training with a Heart Rate Monitor 8 October 2024