New Year - New Resolutions or how the FEI would put it: New Year - New Rules
As of January 1st 2021 the new hind boot rule for show jumpers applied and a lot of riders are questioning if they are still allowed to ride with their hind boots. Some protective hind boots will no longer be allowed in 2021, but which ones will and what do we as riders have to look out for? We at EquiZone Online dug a bit deeper into the topic and will sum up the new rules for you and added example boots for each category to make you won't face any troubles at your next competition!
Young Horse Competitions (five- to eight year old horses)
Applicable for Professionals, Youth & Pony Riders and Amateurs
On international young horse competition level the following criteria must be respected in relation to wearing hind boots: protective hind boots can have a protective element on the inside only. The maximum interior length of 16 cm and the width of the fastener must be at least 5 cm. For youngsters only one fastener per hind boot is allowed which has to have an elastic strap.
KENTUCKY Young Horse Fetlock Boots
Next to these hind boots, some with additional protection for the pastern that extends below the rounded shell are also allowed. The extension has to be made from flexible, soft pliable material. The extended material around the pastern is not taking into consideration when measuring the length of the boot.
The boots need to have a smooth inside and there may not be any pressure points. Sheepskin and fake fur lining are allowed as well as stitching on the inside that attaches the protective element to the inner lining.
KENTUCKY Sheepskin Young Horse Fetlock Boots
For All Older Horses
Applicable for Professionals, Youth & Pony Riders and Amateurs
For older horses all hind boot variations of the youngster protection are allowed, as well as hind boots with a protective element on the inside and outside, that is, double-shell boots that wrap around the fetlock, are allowed provided they meet specific criteria such as:
The maximum length of the boot must be 20 cm at its longest point, it needs to be placed around the fetlock and needs to have a smooth inside without any pressure points. Sheepskin and fake fur lining are allowed as well as stitching on the inside that attaches the protective element to the inner lining.
Another rule for older horse contains the amount of fasteners, the hind boot may have no more than two fasteners, each with a minimum width of 2.5 cm. Also there are specific rules for the different types of fasteners:
Velctro-Type Fasteners
- Have a velcro or velcro-type fastening system
- Have a minimum width of 2.5 cm if there are two straps or
- have a minimum width of 5 cm if there is one strap
For boots that have their protective element only on the inside, the straps can be elastic or non-elastic. While for double-shell boots, the strap must be elastic.
Stud-Type Fasteners:
For these types of hind boots the same measurement requirements apply for size of the shell and straps, additionally the straps must have holes that fit over a stud on the boot.
ZANDONA Carbon Air Sensitive+ Fit Fetlock Boots
KENTUCKY Moonboots Max Elastic
If you need any more information about any equipment and their competition approval, do not hesitate to contact us.
And if you have found your hind boots but still looking for your matching tendon boots, you can find them and more here!
For a better overview, please see the graphic below:
Please Note: this blog has been produced purely to assist with understanding different the new different hind boot rules and what is and what isn't allowed and does not supersede the rules in any kind of way.
