The detrimental effect of heat associated with traditional tendon boots and bandages on horses.
A 2017 study done by Solheim (et al.) discovered the internal temperature of horses legs increased (by degrees Celsius) by up to:
- 13ºC exercising with “air” perforated neoprene boots
- 14.3ºC exercising with traditional tendon boots
- 16.5ºC exercising with fleece bandages
The study claims that boots and bandages act as a barrier between evaporative and convective cooling in the legs creating a microenvironment of heat and humidity. This combination can have serious effects on the soft tissue and tendons in the lower leg area.
Fleece bandages + neoprene sport boots increase heat IN horses LEGS by up to 30%
Westermann’s 2014 study states this heat increase could be severely damaging your horses lower legs. She claims that heat generated with these two types of boots causes an insufficient level of oxygen from reaching the tendon cells causing disruption to the cell metabolism potentially damaging them and causing heat related injuries.
Brock (et al. 2021) studied 6 different types of leg wear on horses to discuss the impact on the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon. Each horse wore multiple boots over 6 exercise sessions including a session without any leg wear.
The boots studied were:
- A neoprene boot
- Perforated neoprene boot
- Plant based neoprene boot
- Cross-country boots
- Elastic trap bandages
- Fleece Polo/Bandage wraps
Results concluded:
All TYPES OF TRADITIONAL LEG WEAR reached temperatures that could damage cells
WITHOUT SUFFICIENT COOLING, TRADITIONAL BOOTS & WRAPS CAN DAMAGE THE SUPERFICIAL DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON
TENDONS REQUIRE CONVECTION COOLING (REAL AIR) TO STOP OVERHEATING
A study performed by AIRSTRIDE® HQ & an independent research team demonstrated the heat increase from legwear after exercise in moderate conditions.
On an 18° C day the horse was brought in from its paddock and initial temperatures of each leg measured using a thermal imaging camera. The horse was ridden for 30 minutes doing flatwork on a sand arena and temperatures were taken again after removal of the boots. See Figure 1.
Leg starting temperature (refer to Figure 1)
- Near fore: 29.1° C
- Near hind: 27.0° C
- Off hind: 30.1° C
- Off fore: 29.8° C
Each leg wore:
- A faux-fleece lined tendon boot (Near fore)
- An AIRSTRIDE® boot (Near hind)
- Bare leg with no boot (Off hind)
- A perforated neoprene boot (Off fore)
- Faux-fleece lined tendon boot = + 6.4° C
- AIRSTRIDE® boot = + 3.1° C
- Bare leg = + 1° C
- A perforated neoprene boot = + 6.3° C
Further studies to come.
IN THIS STUDY, The AIRSTRIDE® boot was up to 51.56% cooler than the fleece lined tendon boot & perforated neoprene boot.
AIRFLOW YOUR HORSE CAN FEEL.
AIRSTRIDE® boots are of particular interest to owners of horses who:
- have had tendon injuries
- have had soft tissue injuries
- live or train in warm and/or humid climates
- have high intensity workloads
- want their horses to perform better
- want their horses to recover quicker
AIRSTRIDE® products are integrated with natural trace elements and minerals to create a negative ion environment.
Negative ion infusion has been studied by the Japanese Medical Association proven to help the permeability of cell membranes boosting cell metabolism to provide increased performance and recovery.
AIRSTRIDE® allows for real air flow providing constant convection cooling to your horses legs during exercise to prevent overheating.
Our boots work to actively draw moisture and sweat away to avoid micro-environments of heat and humidity providing optimal protection of your horses tendons, ligaments and soft tissue.
AIRSTRIDE®’s cooler temperatures thanks to our 3D woven mesh provide superior performance, faster recovery times and reduce the risk of excessive heat.
This helps to prevent strain on your horses legs and internal cell damage as a result of heat and humidity.
