I'm looking for exercise boots which provide basic protection for all-around activities including trail obstacles, spins, stops (but probably not an extreme sliding stop, my and my horses' abilities are some way off that and probably never the twain shall meet !)

On the western sites, it seems to be Professional Choice boots or bust? I'm a bit addled by all these tendon/slide/combo boots available...

I've got basic WOOF tendon support boots for my ex-polo mare from her polo days (but I don't think they'd offer much protection from a reasonably hard knock), plus some N.E.W. wool-lined brushing boots too (but they don't suit her, cause her legs to overheat and can inflame windgalls). And we've just killed our over-reach boots (which are important because one horse is in bar shoes). So what do you find works best for you and your horse? Any advice on what boots might work for schooling exercises on both a fairly slim-legged TB cross and a chunky legged QH, would be very welcome!

Strech and flex boots are fab, you dont get the cool colours like the professional hocie ones but they are very good, i have the basica flatwork ones but they do another pair that are shaped slightly differently, they are well padded all round and supportive but are really good at keeping the legs cool

roma also do a pair like the pro chocie ones but i have never tried them

Hi,
personally speaking pro/choice would win evey time, simply because of the benifits they have, for eg:
they are designed to absorb a portion of hoof impact, they have high levels of shock absorpition & prevent injuries with hyperextension of the fetlock, my husband is a farrier & the SMB II boots have really aided in the recovery of most horses with tendon trouble & leg related problems, wouldnt even consider groundworking or getting on my horse if I didnt own a pair, & the choice of colours are just an added advantage.

Yep, profs choice, and the new Elite boots give the best fit, although I've found they're not quite as durable as the traditional SMBs.
The soft lining of Profs Choice is particularly good when working on grittier surfaces and they don't seem to overheat in them.
You'd probably find using sport boots and separate bell boots (overreach boots) better than combo boots if they've got to fit both horses. Prof choice bell boots look pretty much indestructible and the shaping means they can't spin round on the hoof.
Check Robinson's catalogue to see how they compare with western retailers on price, altho I think the colour choice is more limited.

The roma copies of the prof choice ones are pretty good as a cheaper option but less flexible so not quite such a good fit

hunterrookie wrote:
Prof choice bell boots look pretty much indestructible and the shaping means they can't spin round on the hoof.

they dont rip or anything but the velcro on them dies pretty easily, if you have a horse that does overreach and is catching the boots alot, the cheap rubber ones are best and although they are super hard work the pull on ones nothing beats them..unless you are planning on doing some XC and dont want to do what a few riders did at badminton