Schockemöhle Air Flow Champion Tendon Boots

This is a model that comes into its own on warm days and in long training sessions, precisely because the airflow runs through the shell. So keep the openings clear: rinse sand and mud out of the slots after work, because an opening that has silted up no longer ventilates. Set both straps to the same position left and right, so that the shells sit at the same height, and check after a few minutes of walking that nothing is slipping. After rinsing, let the boots air dry, not on a radiator. Schockemöhle states no washing instructions for this item, so leave the machine out of it.

Choose the Air Flow Champion if heat under the boot is your main concern: summer training, horses that sweat up quickly, long sessions. They are meant for the front legs in showjumping and eventing training. If you ride international dressage, this stays training kit, because boots are forbidden in the dressage arena and must be removed before entering the space around the competition arena. If you would rather have a firm shell with carbon reinforcement than as many ventilation openings as possible, look at the Stübben Hybrid Carbon Tendon Boots or the Zandona Elite Air Tendon Boots. If you are after a soft lining against the skin, the Kentucky Vegan Wool Tendon Boots Bamboo Elastic are a better choice.

Slide the boot over the leg with the hard shell at the back over the tendon and the EVA reinforcement at the level of the fetlock. Lay the two straps on the outside of the leg and fasten each stud so that the boot sits firmly without pinching, on the same setting left and right. Check after a few minutes of walking that nothing is shifting. Brush the dirt off after work and rinse sand out of the ventilation openings; then let them air dry.

How does the Air Flow system work?

The shell has openings on three levels. Air enters through the openings at the back and at the side, draws up along the tendon area and leaves again at the top. That lets heat and moisture escape from under the shell.

Why a bamboo lining?

Schockemöhle chooses bamboo because the material absorbs sweat well, lets air through and holds its shape and stays hard-wearing. The mesh above it keeps the flow from the openings clear.

Which size do I choose?

This model comes in sizes Cob and Full. Cob is the smaller size, for finer legs; Full for the average warmblood leg. Measure the circumference of the lower leg and compare it with the size guide; if you are unsure, try them on first.

Do they fit on the hind legs?

No. These are tendon boots for the front legs. For the hind legs you use fetlock boots, which have a different shape and have to meet requirements of their own at international showjumping events.

May I use them in competition?

At international showjumping events there are no requirements as to shape for front leg boots, only a limit of 500 grams for everything worn together on one leg. In the competition arena at international dressage events, boots are forbidden and must be removed before entering the space around the competition arena. In eventing: not in the dressage test, the jumping rules in the jumping test, allowed in the cross-country. There is no FEI inspection or list of brands for leg protection.

How do I clean them?

Brush the dirt off and rinse sand and mud out of the ventilation openings, so that they stay open. Then let them air dry. Schockemöhle states no washing instructions for this item.

Are they heavy?

Schockemöhle states no weight, so we cannot put a figure on it.

• Tendon boot for the front legs, built around ventilation.
• Openings on three levels: air in at the back and side, out at the top.
• Anatomically shaped TPU shell with Impact EVA foam.
• Reinforcement in EVA at the level of the fetlock.
• Bamboo lining with mesh behind the openings.
• Double stud fastening with elastic.
• In black and brown, in sizes Cob and Full.