EDUCATION

KEEPING LEGS COOLER FOR BETTER HORSE WELFARE

As there is less blood flow in the lower leg, horses require convection cooling (aka, real air flow) to keep the lower leg cool.

When traditional leg wear containing neoprene or fleece is used, heat is trapped and makes the tendons vulnerable to damage from overheating.

SHOP THE RANGE

WESTERMANN 2014

UP TO 30% INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE WEARING NEOPRENE SPORT BOOTS & FLEECE BANDAGES

Westermann’s 2014 study states this heat increase from traditional leg wear 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.

SOLHEIM 2017

TRADITIONAL BOOTS & BANDAGES CREATE A MICROENVIRONMENT OF HEAT & HUMIDITY

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.

A 2017 study done by Solheim (et. Al.) discovered the temperatures of horses legs increased significantly (from traditional leg wear).

BROCK (ET. AL. 2021)

CONVECTION COOLING IS VITAL

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, a perforated neoprene boot, a plant based neoprene boot, cross-country boots, elastic wrap bandages and fleece polo/bandage wraps.

He concluded:

DAMAGE TO THE TENDON

Without adequate cooling, traditional boots and bandages can damage the tendon of the superficial digital flexor tendon.

TENDON OVERHEATING

All types of traditional leg wear in this study had reached temperatures that can damage cells in the lower leg.

AIR FLOW IS REQUIRED

Convection cooling (aka real air) is necessary to prevent tendon overheating and maintain healthy temperatures during exercise.

AIRSTRIDE® 2023 STUDY

AIRSTRIDE® IS UP TO 51% COOLER THAN TRADITIONAL LEG PROTECTION

On a day with a temperature of 18° C, the horse was led out of the paddock and the initial temperature of each leg was measured using a thermal imaging camera. The horse was ridden in a sand arena for 30 minutes and the temperature was measured again after the boots were removed.

Leg starting temperature

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)

The temperature increased after exercise:

Faux-fleece lined tendon boot = + 6.4° C
AIRSTRIDE® boot = + 3.1° C
Bare leg = + 1° C
A perforated neoprene boot = + 6.3° C

E. WALFISH - AIRSTRIDE® 2024 STUDY

"AMAZING PRODUCT... ALMOST NO HEAT ACCUMULATION'

A on-going 2024 study done by Elisa Walfish (MSc. Biology) from The Data Driven Equestrian conducted a test of Airstride® boots against a traditional fleece wrap to discuss heat accumulation under different types of leg protection during ridden work.

Results from the first series of testing:

Airstride Boots Max Temp: 30° C
Fleece Wrap Max Temp: 38° C
Nearest Boot Competitor Max Temp: 34° C

Walfish found that Airstride® boots had virtually no heat accumulation and were 4 degrees cooler than the nearest boot competitor she has tested in this first round.

We look forward to sharing more detailed information as the testing continues.

SEE HOW AIRSTRIDE COMPARES

Discover the ultimate in cooler leg protection for your horse.

	AIRSTRIDE	OTHER BRANDS
Various Protection Levels	Coming Soon!
Zero Neoprene or Fleece
Real Airflow Your Horse Feels
Cares About Horse Welfare
Designs Based on Science
Backed By Vets