Shires ARMA Soft Top Overreach Boots for Horses, Neoprene

Description

Overreach Boots with a Softer Top Edge

Overreach boots, also called bell boots, wrap around a horse’s front hooves to shield the heel bulbs and coronet band from strikes by the hind feet. They can also help stop a horse from treading on and pulling off a front shoe. The Shires ARMA Soft Top version adds a neoprene band along the upper edge, where plain rubber boots tend to rub the pastern.

Construction and Sizing

• Brand: Shires, ARMA line
• Shell: ribbed rubber meant to take knocks from the hind hooves
• Top edge: cushioned neoprene
• Closure: adjustable touch-close straps
• Color: black
• Sizes by height: Pony up to 14.1 hh, Cob 14.2 to 15.1 hh, Full 15.2 to 16.2 hh, Extra Full 16.3 hh and up
• Care: the maker says you can simply hose off mud and sweat

Which Horses It Suits

These make sense for horses that overreach in work, jump, or lose front shoes in the field, and especially for those with sensitive skin that get sore from standard rubber bell boots. Shires pitches them for turnout as well as schooling. A horse that never overreaches and keeps its shoes may not need them at all.

Fitting Tips

A well-fitted overreach boot covers the heel bulbs and sits just clear of the ground at the back when the horse stands square. You should be able to slide a finger under the top. Shires suggests going up a size for horses with heavy bone or thick feathers. Check the skin under the boots daily, especially during long turnout, and take them off to clean out grit and mud that can cause rubbing.

How do I pick a size?

Go by your horse’s height using the Shires chart above. Size labels in the listing vary, so confirm the selected size against the height chart before you order.

Can they stay on during turnout?

Shires says yes, and that the neoprene edge is there to reduce rubbing during long wear. Daily checks are still wise.