The best overreach boots can provide your horse protection against overreach and strike injuries. When choosing a pair of overreach boots, it’s important to consider what you’ll be using them for. If you only plan to use them for turning your horse out, it’s sensible to select a material that won’t absorb water and is easy to clean. However, if you plan to use them while doing ridden work, the amount of coverage and level of protection offered will be your main focus.
For any protective boot, it’s essential that they won’t cause rubbing, so if your horse is particularly sensitive it would be worth considering a pair with a fur lining. The fastenings must be secure while also being easy to put on and take off. If you plan to pair them with a pair of the best brushing boots or cross-country boots, you may also want to look for a matching set.
Best overreach boots
Equilibrium Tri-Zone Overreach Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: S/M or L/XL
RRP: £29.99
H&H review: 9/10
These hard-wearing boots from Equilibrium are designed to prevent your horse treading on the boot. Ideal for exercise or turnout, they have a tough strike guard to protect the heel. They are waterproof and rot-proof, and have an anti-spin heel button.
Read H&H’s independent Equilibrium Tri-Zone overreach boots review.
Shires Arma Touch Close Overreach Boots
Colours: 10 colour options
Sizes: Pony – extra-full
RRP: £10.99
These overreach boots are an affordable, quick and easy way to protect horses’ heels from blows and knocks under saddle and in the field. They’re made with durable, shock-absorbant rubber and have a secure touch-close fastening. They’re also available in a wide range of colours so – if you’re minded to do so – you could colour co-ordinate to distinguish one horse’s boots from another.
Woof Wear Pro Overreach Boots
Colours: 14
Sizes: S–XL
RRP: £25.99
These boots from Woof Wear provide no-rub protection for the bulbs of the heel, while the no-twist design and soft roll collar allows the boot to move freely around the pastern without rubbing. The tough carbon effect outer shell coupled with thick neoprene and added impact foam give 10mm of protection. Matching items available.
Zandona Carbon Air Heel Overreach Boots
Colours: Black, brown or white
Sizes: S/M or L/XL
RRP: £129.90
These technical overreach boots by Zandona are very strong yet flexible, which combined with the gel technology and neoprene lining means that they can effectively absorb and disperse impact. The anatomic design and flexible shell ensure a stable fit without restricting movement. Carbon fibre in the shell ensures maximum strength and six air vents help to maintain breathability. They are finished with a fleece top to prevent rubbing and fastened with two quick-release elastic straps for a secure fit.
Hy Equestrian Armoured Guard Pro Reaction Overreach Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: M–XL
RRP: £23.99
Suitable for everyday exercise or turnout, these boots from Hy are strong, flexible and lightweight. The durable strike-proof outer shell prevents knocks, while the breathable soft perforated neoprene lining and collar ensure they remain comfortable. The touch-tape fastenings and a no-turn nodule minimise movement.
Shires Arma Anatomic Comfort Overreach Boots
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Pony – extra-full
RRP: £29.99
These boots from Shires have soft fleece added to increase airflow and provide cushioning around the pastern. The boots have anti-spin nodules to help keep the boots in place, and they are fastened with double lock touch-close fastenings.
Veredus Safety Bell Light Boots
Colours: Black, brown, white, black/blue, black/Bordeaux, black/ivory or black/pink
Sizes: S–XL
RRP: £40
H&H review: 8/10
The triple layer foam of these boots offers great protection without being stiff and the material is easy to clean and prevents moisture absorption. Also available with a techno sheepskin fabric on the top of the boot helps prevent irritation or rubbing.
Read H&H’s independent Veredus overreach boots review.
WeatherBeeta Impact Bell Boots
Colours: Black, white, black/maroon, black/royal blue or black/turquoise/navy
Sizes: Pony – warmblood
RRP: £28.75
These lightweight, durable boots from Weatherbeeta have a neoprene lining for maximum comfort and protection. They are designed in a way to prevent twisting, while the touch tape closures make them quick and easy to use. Matching items available.
LeMieux Soft Shell Over Reach Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: M–XXL
RRP: £24.95 for a pair
These practical boots have a soft but strong outer shell, smooth neoprene lining and Lycra binding to prevent rubbing. They’re long-lasting, lightweight and are easily machine washable at a low temperature.
Eskadron Soft Faux Fur Overreach Boots
Colours: White or night blue
Sizes: S–XXL
RRP: £31.95
These soft, comfortable and smart Eskadron overreach boots are robust and provide good shock absorption. They are made from 1680D outer fabric with a breathable inlay, lined with neoprene and finished with an easy-care faux sheepskin top cuff. Good for exercise in dry environments.
Rhinegold Fleece Trim Flexi Rubber Overreach Boots
Colours: Black, brown or black/brown
Sizes: S–XL
RRP: £10.99
These overreach boots from Rhinegold have a high natural rubber content for more flexibility, offering durability with less likelihood of rubbing. They are trimmed with fleece for extra comfort around the leg and have an easy touch-tape closure.
What are overreach boots?
Overreach boots, sometimes referred to as bell boots, are worn on a horse’s forelegs and cover the hoof and heel. They protect these areas from the hind feet ‘overreaching’, striking into the heels and causing an injury.
What are the best overreach boots for turnout?
Overreach boots are sometimes worn in the field to protect from overreach injuries in addition to preventing your horse from pulling their shoes off. Boots worn in the field are more likely to get damaged as they are worn for a longer period of time. Choose a pair that have a secure fastening, don’t absorb moisture and are easy to clean. You’ll need to weight up how long they’re likely to last with how much you’re willing to spend. If you’re looking for a cheap pair, we’d recommend this Shires Arma pair on Amazon.
There are lots of pros and cons of turnout boots, but you’ll also find boots specifically designed for turnout that provide a barrier to prevent mud fever as well as knocks.
Whatever turnout boots you opt for, it’s important to choose turnout boots that are not only water-resistant but breathable, because if they hold water they can end up doing more harm than good. Most manufacturers also recommend turnout boots shouldn’t be kept on for longer than 12 hours at one time.
Not all horses need boots for turnout and it’s essential to consider a horse’s individual needs as well as the type of terrain they’ll be turned out on.
How do you fit overreach boots?
Overreach boots sit around the pastern – too tight and they’ll be uncomfortable, but too loose and they’re likely to rub. They should cover the heel at the back but should sit above the ground. If they have an anti-spin ‘bump’ or nodule, this should sit between the heel bulbs.
When should a horse wear overreach boots?
Overreach boots have several uses. Typically they are worn to protect horses’ heels and patterns from injuries caused by overreaching – which is when the hind hooves strike the heels of the front hooves.
They’re most commonly used during activities like jumping, when a horse is turned out, or when riding over uneven terrain where there’s a higher risk of overreaching. However, some horses have a longer stride and are more prone to overreaching than others so use overreach boots more frequently.
Additionally, horses with corrective shoeing or sensitive heels can benefit from wearing overreach boots for protection.
Are bell boots the same as overreach boots?
Yes, bell boots are also known as overreach boots. Both terms are commonly used but both describe protective boots that are designed to prevent injuries related to overreaching.
The term “bell boots” comes from the bell-like shape of the boots. Which term is used mainly comes down to regional and personal preference. For example, the term “bell boots” is common in the US.
You might also like:
11 pairs of boots ready to go out on the cross-country course
Protective tendon boots for jumping and flatwork
Brushing boots for all budgets
Travel in style in one of these smart sets of travel boots
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
