Stübben Hybrid Tendon Boots

Put the Hybrid on over a clean, dry lining. Sand or dried sweat in the lining chafes, and Stübben explicitly asks you to check the lining first. Slide the boot over the leg in the natural direction of the lining. Point the fastenings forwards and lay them on the outside. Pull firmly, but not so tight that you can no longer slip a finger underneath. After work, brush the dirt away on both sides, or rinse the shell with water. If your horse goes in the same boots every day, wash them regularly at 30 °C rather than only rinsing them.

Choose the Hybrid if you want one boot for jumping work and daily training that is firm and still gives a little, and if ventilation counts for you. It is meant for the front legs, for showjumping, eventing and ordinary training work. If you ride international dressage, this is not competition kit: in dressage leg protection has to come off before you enter the space around the competition arena, so it stays a boot for training and warming up. If you want the same shape with a carbon fibre insert and impact foam, the Stübben Hybrid Carbon Tendon Boots are the heavier version. If you are looking for a soft, woolly lining against the skin, have a look at the Kentucky Vegan Wool Tendon Boots Bamboo Elastic.

First check that the lining is clean and dry. Slide the boot over the leg in the natural direction of the lining, with the hard shell at the back of the cannon. Lay the two fastenings on the outside of the leg with the straps pointing forwards, and set each strap on a hole that feels firm but not pinching. Then check that both boots sit at the same height. After use, brush the dirt away or wash at 30 °C, without the tumble dryer.

What is a tendon boot for?

It lays a hard shell over the back of the cannon, so that a brushing hoof or a pole lands on the shell instead of on the leg.

Do these fit the hind legs as well?

No. The shape is made for the front legs. For the hind legs you use fetlock boots, which have a different shape and different rules.

Which size do I need?

Stübben puts horses up to 159 cm at the withers on the smallest size. If you fall in between, take the smaller one.

May I use these tendon boots at a competition?

That depends on the discipline. At international showjumping competitions there are no shape requirements for front boots; everything on one leg together may not weigh more than 500 grams. In international dressage, boots have to come off before you enter the space around the competition arena. In eventing: not in the dressage test, in the jumping test the jumping rules apply, and on the cross-country course they are allowed. National competitions follow the rules of their own federation.

How do I wash them?

Machine washable at 30 °C or below and not in the tumble dryer. After work you can brush the dirt off inside and out, or rinse the shell with water or a damp cloth.

What is the difference with the Stübben Hybrid Carbon?

The Carbon version has the same cut-away styling, but adds a carbon fibre insert and XRD impact foam and is built as a double shell. The Hybrid does not list those two materials.

Do they not keep the leg warm?

A hard shell always holds some heat. The openings in the shell let air through so heat and moisture can escape, but it stays warmer than a bare cannon.

• Tendon boot for the front legs, from the Stübben & Evolution range.
• Hard outer shell with raised strike zones at the rear.
• Cut-away shape following the contour of tendon and fetlock.
• Ventilation openings across the whole shell.
• Two stud fastenings with several adjustment settings.
• TPU and TPE as the main materials, with polyester, nylon and elastane.
• Machine washable at 30 °C, not in the tumble dryer.
• Black and brown, in sizes M and L.