Question about working with horses?

Question

I am going to be working with horses and kids at a program that my church is involved with. The ladies that run the program told me that I should get some kind of shoes or boots with leather, just in case a horse were to step on me. I didn't want to spend too much money because this is so temporary and I'm only 16, so I bought a pair of hiking shoes with a steel toe and leather in the upper part, with a anti-slip grip on the bottom. Is this okay for horse-riding and stuff?

Answer 1

Yes, actually thats probably your best bet. I had horses for two years and i got my foot steeped on all the time. it actually hurts a lot less than you would think. but, back to your question...steel toed boots are perfect. but if your really into riding you may want some light rubber or leather boots so they dont weigh your feet down. but what you have is pretty much fine.

Answer 2

Ya that should work, not the best for actually riding, but it sounds like the program the kids ride so ya they should work fine.

Answer 3

Sense it's only temporary it should be fine. As long as it has a slight heel you should be just fine!

Besides too many idiots ride in sneakers so your boots sound much better!

Enjoy working with horses! Im hoping it won't be "temporary" for you!

Answer 4

If the boots are too chunky then they wont fit in the stirrups - especially if they are ponies. If youre not riding then they sound good.

Answer 5

Juts make sure it is not to wide and there is no studs so a near flat bottom. Also, make sure there a small heal not a really big one

Answer 6

The heel on the shoe is the most important thing, so your foot doesn't get caught in the stirrup in case you fall off.  You don't want to be dragged.  I was always told never wear steel toes around horses, thoroughbreds and warmbloods, because if they were to stomp on your toe, even a horse smaller than a draft, can pinch the steel toe down onto your toe and possible crush or cut it off.  I would be interested to see how many pounds of pressure a horse can put on their feet, I know it is a lot, probably more than steel toes are rated for.  

Note:  I just looked it up and the best rated steel toes can withstand 2,500 pounds of pressure, these boots are expensive the others 1,000 pounds of pressure.  The problem is even if the horse only weighs 1,000 pounds, way more pressure is put on their feet.  It is said that a horse can put 48,000 pounds of pressure on their hoof.  I would continue to avoid steel toes around horses, you might be better off with a bruise, rather than surgically removing a boot.

Answer 7

There are a few things to watch out for with shoes:

1. Width/thickness. Normal boots should be okay, but anything thick or chunky shaped might cause a problem with getting the front of your foot into the stirrups.

2. Steel toes. Though they're probably fine for normal sized horses, large horses like Belgians actually weight enough to potentially bend them back onto your toes! Chances are, though, that the horses you'll be working with are considerably smaller, and I'm pretty certain that some barn boots have steel toes, themselves.

Answer 8

Yes, steel toed boots are awesome when you're working around horses. I've had my toes stepped on a lot, and they swell. Since this is only temporary, it'll be fine, but beware, horseback riding is addictive and you may find yourself wanting to take some lessons, in which case, a lighter leather boot with a heel would be better.

I hope you enjoy your horsey experience! :)

Answer 9

Ideal for training kids,but not right for long riding

Answer 10

I can attest to the steel toed boots not being a good idea since I've seen the nightmare of trying to separate the steel from the crushed toes when I worked as a nurse.

You could ride in sneakers...it's done all the time, although it isn't safe either.  Without a heel to stop it, your foot can slip right through the stirrup.  Be sure to keep only the first 1/3 of your foot (the ball forward) in the stirrup if you do wear them.  If it's not too late, return the shoes you bought and get something of a narrower hiking boot without the steel.

Answer 11

good for walking arroung in but not ideal for riding coz the grip might get stuck in the stirrup, its ok if its just temporary