Even the most experienced horseperson often walks into a tack store, or browses through an online catalog, and winds up overwhelmed with various choices in horse products each claiming to be the newest and greatest that the industry has to offer. Such is the case with protective leg gear for horses. How does the consumer know what brand? What color? What type?
Actually, most of us can admit we have asked ourselves if there's any real difference between them all anyway. And in reply to that honest question, one stands out from the crowd with impressive results: Iconoclast Orthopedic Support Boots.
Let's Rope spoke with Iconoclast owner Ward Heid about why equine leg care is so important. Here's what he shared.
Q: Why is equine leg care so important in competition?
A: It is amazing what we assume, and don’t actually understand. The more education we have, the far better our judgement on anything. Person by person, or outlet by outlet, here at Iconoclast we are trying to help educate. With that said, the horse has four legs that are identical in construction. The only physical difference is function; the hind leg has five degrees more flexion or compression at the fetlock than the front leg. The hind legs run, stop and turn, so actually it is more important to use boots on the back than the front, but you often see people do the opposite.
Ultimately, if you value your horse, put the value in him to keep him, and you need a product that offers support—not just impact protection. We often compete on bad surfaces, in boots that offer some impact protection but no support. Support is key. Don’t sacrifice your horse. If the ground is terrible…scratch. Let your conscience be your guide. At the end of the day, it’s about the horse. Put the best device on him to keep him healthy and sound, and for proper support, choose Iconoclast. Top PRCA calf ropers Shane Hanchey and Cody Ohl have both extended the competitive lives of their horses from two to six years in Iconoclast boots. We have numerous success stories like that; I also think of a Texas veterinarian who shared with me about a barrel horse with navicular synthetic pain who scored a 4.5 on the lameness chart. But he said the client bought our boots and put them on the horse and the scored decreased to a one. All he knew was that those boots were providing outstanding support to the sesamoid region. Now he sells them through his clinics. There are countless stories like that, and many life customers.
