Bell Boots Tested

Bell boots can be quite helpful if your horse is prone to taking his shoes off or stepping into his pastern. They also protect your horses shoes and pastern in the paddock and are great if you have a horse with sensitive coronet bands during show jumping. Most hunters and top eventers don't use bell boots as they fear the horse can step on them or get caught in a fence, which might result in the horse falling. I have never had the experience of a horse falling due to a bell boot and most of them have a velcro now, which would open under great force. I have seen bell boots flying though the air during hunts though.

What to look for in bell boots?

They have to fit the horse without chaffing after daily use. Some bell boots do chaff underneath the fetlock and are very uncomfortable for the horse. They have to be the right length, not so long to make the horse stand on it or fray the edges. They have to be easy to clean and to apply. The velcro should stay sticky and they shouldn't fade in colour.

Classic Equine DL Bell boots - available through selected retailers starting at US$24.95

These come in an amazing colour range, from paisley (our favourite) to "Wild Zebra". If you want to stand out, this is the bell boot for you! The shell is thick and durable canvas with soft inner padding. The velcro is double-laid and sticks very well. We found the bell boot to be a good fit on the majority of horses, they just tended to be a bit too long for the barefoot trimmed horses and some smaller breeds. The boot didn't chaff the skin after repeated daily use but some small gravel from the arena found its way to the pastern area. Overall, it's a very recommendable boot for a good price!

Professional Choice Quick Wrap Bell Boot - available through Clareville Saddlery starting at NZ$102,50

Professional Choice is known for their high quality products, but the price tag is a bit hefty for a pair of bell boots! They do not hold any longer then the Classic Equine ones and also seem to attract all sorts of seedlings, plants and gorse when we took them for a ride out. They didn't chaff at all and seemed to be comfortable for the horse and also fitted a wide variety of horses although they were quite short on the biggest test horse, a clydie cross. Overall a nice good bell boot but you will have to think twice about purchasing one at that price.

Roma  Neoprene Bell Boots - available through Tackshop.co.nz starting at NZ$24,95

This boot is only available in black and white but seems good value for money. It tends to turn quite a bit though and chaffs the pastern and underneath the fetlock with extensive use. It also falls apart if wetted frequently and left exposed to direct sunlight, which is apparently normal, so keep your boots out of direct sunlight. Other than that,  there is absolutely nothing wrong with using them.

HKM Stockholm Bell Boot - available through Equestrienne.co.au starting at AUS$20.00

A cool coloured boot that looks good and fits well. It is slightly long for the smaller breeds but fits most TB's and WB's just fine. The boot offers good protection and doesn't  chaff at all. The velcro got a little rip in it as one boot turned and horse stepped into it but this seemed to be rather unfortunate and didn't repeat with any other horse. A good boot for a good price but you probably have to get the matching SMB's to complete the look!

Eskadron Artifical Leather Sheepskin Bell Boot - available through Stirrups Equestrian starting at NZ$115.00

A rather expensive bell boot that is not actually leather, but the sheepskin is super lovely and the boot really doesn't chaff whatsoever! If you buy these though, beware that you will probably think twice about where you ride, especially if it's wet and muddy! They fitted our test horses fine and one that had a little pastern injury was very comfortable with them and none of the scabs had come off after quite a long ride. The velcro holds well and although it is pricey, it will be worth it to protect precious horse pastern and hoofs. Overall a good product.

Our overall winner is the Classic Equine Bell Boot just because it's so colourful and really compliments your look if you don't want to be traditional black or white. We decided against bell boots during cross country but were quite intrigued to try these two products, the German Kavalkade "SafteyBa Heelprotector" and the Scottish "Shoe Secure" which look like awesome products, but we haven't had the chance to try them yet. We hope that you'll find the best bell boot that suits you and your horse the most!

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