Veredus Carbon Gel Absolute Fetlock Boots
$384.95
Fetlock Boots
Browse fetlock boots that cup the hind fetlock so a brushing or interfering strike hits the boot instead of the joint.
They are part of our wider Boots collection.
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What Is a Fetlock Boot?
A fetlock boot is a cup or padded shell strapped around the hind fetlock to take brushing from the opposite limb.
The joint is the target, not the tendon running up the cannon. That is why fetlock boots sit lower and shorter than tendon boots. Typical parts are:
- A cup or strike face over the fetlock.
- A lining that must not bunch in the hollow of the joint.
- A strap path that stays clear of the ergot.
Why Are Fetlock Boots Usually Used Behind?
Hind limbs brush at the fetlock more often than they take a rail on the cannon, so fetlock boots are the usual hind pair in a jumping setup.
Forelegs that need cannon protection still want tendon boots. Using fetlock cups on the fores leaves the tendon pad missing. Using tendon boots on the hinds leaves the fetlock under-covered.
Fetlock Boots vs Tendon Boots
Fetlock boots cover the joint; tendon boots cover the cannon and flexor tendons.
If the horse interferes behind, stay on this page. If the blow is a front strike or rail, change type rather than buying a bigger fetlock boot. Wrap support instead of a cup belongs with horse bandages.
How Cup Shape and Lining Affect Rubbing
A deeper cup stays put on a round fetlock, but a bulky lining can pinch when the joint flexes. Heat builds faster in a closed lining than in an open or ventilated shell.
Straps should not sit in the crease of the joint. If a strap stretches or a lining hardens, replacement parts live in horse boot accessories.
When Should You Use Fetlock Boots?
Use fetlock boots for jumping, tight turns, or horses that brush behind. Skip them for a quiet hack if the lining will pack with sand and the brushing risk is low.
They are not heel-bulb protection. Overreach still needs bell boots or overreach boots. A pad from our saddle pads range does not change hind-leg interference.
How to Care for Fetlock Boots
Rinse hair and grit from the cup after work and dry the lining fully. A hard crust of sand inside the cup is what rubs the joint on the next ride.
Follow the maker's wash instructions. Heat can shrink linings so the cup no longer matches the fetlock even if the straps still close.
How Should Fetlock Boots Fit?
A fitted fetlock boot cups the joint without sliding up the cannon or dropping onto the pastern. The horse must still flex and land without the strap biting the ergot.
Size names vary by maker. If the cup rotates to the inside or outside of the limb, change size or style instead of adding a second strap from another boot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do fetlock boots protect?
Fetlock boots protect the hind fetlock from brushing and interference. The cup sits on the joint so the opposite hind limb hits the boot instead of skin or bone. They do not replace tendon boots on the cannon, and they do not cover the heel bulbs. Those jobs need tendon boots and bell or overreach boots.
Do jumping horses wear fetlock boots behind?
Often yes. A common jumping setup uses tendon boots on the fores and fetlock boots on the hinds, because hind brushing happens at the joint rather than as a rail strike on the cannon. Some disciplines have boot rules, so check the class before you assume a cup is allowed. Schooling horses that interfere behind may also wear them without jumping.
Can I use fetlock boots on the front legs?
Only if the risk is truly a front fetlock brush, which is less common. Front-cannon strikes still need a tendon boot with a strike pad. A fetlock cup on the fores leaves the tendon under-protected. Match the boot to the structure that gets hit, not to whatever pair you already own.
Are fetlock boots the same as brushing boots?
Some brushing boots wrap more of the cannon and fetlock together. A dedicated fetlock boot is shorter and centred on the joint. If the horse brushes the cannon as well as the fetlock, you may need a different body, not a tighter fetlock cup. Look at where the hair is rubbed after work and choose coverage for that mark.
