If you've ever stood in front of a tack shop rack staring at rows of hard plastic shells and straps, you're not alone. New riders look at two boots that look almost the same and wonder: why are there two kinds? Which leg goes where? And do I really need both?
The short answer: tendon boots and fetlock boots protect different legs for different reasons. Once you get that, choosing a pair gets a lot simpler.
What are tendon boots?
Tendon boots (sometimes called open-front boots) go on the front legs. They cover the cannon bone and the tendons on the back of the foreleg — the part of the horse that takes the brunt when a front hoof clips a fence pole on the way down.
Look for three things in a good pair:
- A hard outer shell that takes the knock instead of the leg
- A padded inner liner that sits against the tendon without rubbing
- Adjustable straps that let you tighten for different leg widths
Most jumping tendon boots on the market use a hard shell plus a soft liner on the inside, exactly because a shell that's too soft won't absorb much, and a liner that's too thin will chafe by the third ride.
What are fetlock boots?
Fetlock boots are smaller, shorter, and they go on the hind legs. They sit around the fetlock joint and the back of the hind cannon — that's the area a horse can nick when a hind hoof swings forward during a tight turn or a double combination.
You'll usually see fewer straps on a fetlock boot — often two adjustable straps — because the shape is shorter and doesn't need the same length of coverage as a front tendon boot.
So, do you need both?
If you're jumping courses, most riders ride in a **set**: a pair of front tendon boots plus a pair of hind fetlock boots. They're sold separately in some shops and as a four-piece set in others. Buying them as a set usually works out cheaper, and you get matching colors which matters more than you'd think once you've stood at the yard in mismatched black-and-brown gear.
How the fit actually works
Here's the part most new riders get wrong.
- The boot should sit snug but not tight — you should be able to slide one finger underneath the strap.
- Straps fasten on the outside of the leg, and the strap tail should point backward.
- The bottom edge shouldn't rub the fetlock, and the top edge shouldn't dig into the cannon when the horse bends the knee.
- Sizing by breed isn't precise. A warmblood and a large cob can be the same height but very different leg widths. Measure the leg circumference where the boot sits, and compare that to the size guide on the listing. S/M/L covers most riding horses, but it's worth measuring rather than guessing.
Ventilation matters more than it looks
On a sunny schooling day, your horse's legs heat up fast under a solid shell. That's why most jump boots now come with ventilation holes along the shell — small slots that let air move through without weakening the protection. When you're comparing pairs, look for real holes in the shell rather than just a photo that says "breathable."
How to look after them
Jump boots get covered in arena dust, mud and sweat by the end of a lesson. The easy routine:
- Rinse or wipe them down after a wet ride
- Hand wash the liner when it gets stiff — most boots in this category are designed for hand washing rather than a machine
- Let them air dry out of direct sun; don't force-dry them on a radiator
Cheap boots tend to fray at the straps after one season. A mid-range pair with proper woven straps and a decent shell liner will last two to three seasons if you wash them down now and then.
Colors aren't just vanity
Okay, they're partly vanity. But if you show, your boots usually coordinate with your saddle pad and ear bonnet. That's why most jump boot lines come in a handful of standard colors — black is the default, brown is the next most common, and riders who want to stand out reach for red, yellow, blue or white to match a ring color scheme.
Wrapping up
If you're putting together your first jumping setup, start with a four-piece set: front tendon boots and hind fetlock boots together. Pick the size that matches your horse's leg measurement, choose the color that goes with your existing gear, and check that the straps adjust and the shell has proper ventilation holes. That's genuinely all there is to it.
Looking for a set that covers all of the above? Our [Equestrian Jump Boots Set] comes as a front-and-hind pair, sizes S/M/L, six colors, with a hardened shell and padded liner built for schooling and jumping.
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