Protect vulnerable areas with well-fitted brushing boots and overreach or bell boots, keep the horse balanced and correctly shod, build fitness gradually, and school to improve coordination. Prevention is far better than treating a cut.
What these injuries are
Brushing is when a horse knocks one leg with the opposite hoof, usually low down the inside of the leg, while overreach is when a hind foot strikes the heel of a front foot. Both cause cuts, bruising and sometimes lasting damage.
Use the right boots
Well-fitted brushing boots protect the inside of the lower legs, and bell or overreach boots guard the heels of the front feet from the hind toes. Fit them snugly so they protect without slipping or rubbing, and keep them clean and dry.
Balance and fitness
A tired, unbalanced or unfit horse is far more likely to strike into itself. Build fitness gradually, school to improve balance and coordination, and avoid pushing a horse into fast work before it is ready, which is when many of these injuries happen.
Check the shoeing
Foot balance and shoeing affect how a horse moves and whether it interferes. If a horse brushes or overreaches often, talk to your farrier, as small changes to trimming or shoeing can improve the way the horse tracks and reduce the risk.
Manage the going
Deep, slippery or uneven ground makes a horse more likely to interfere. Choose good footing for fast work, and take care on tricky ground. Combined with boots and good schooling, this keeps most horses free of self-inflicted knocks.
