Horze bZeen Reflect Rider Front Boots have incredibly reflective straps on them, even in the daylight. Photo by Kate Samuels.
The winter months bring us three main things: cold weather, mud everywhere, and many fewer hours of sun for riding. While there are a select lucky few who are able to ride during the dwindling daylight, a great number of riders have to resort to different methods of riding at night. Some have access to indoor arenas, and others have to ride outside, which is how the recent interest in reflective riding gear has emerged.
Horze Equestrian has an entire line of reflective accoutrements for both horse and rider, aimed at increasing visibility and safety during dusk or nighttime rides. While they have everything from reflective bridle covers to reflective quarter sheets, I got my hands on their Horze bZeen Reflect Rider Front Leg Boots.
Upon first inspection, the boots surprised me with how pleasantly lightweight they were in my hand. They aren’t cumbersome in any way, either for application, or for the horse to wear as he exercises. Your horse appreciates lightweight workout gear almost as much as you do, and I enjoyed this aspect of the bZeen Reflect Rider Front Leg Boots.
The straps on the Horse bZeen Reflect Rider Front Boots are wide and sturdy, making it easy to apply them firmly and evenly to the leg. Photo by Kate Samuels.
Of course, the primary aspect of these boots is that they will definitely increase the safety of you and your horse when you’re riding on trails or roads with limited visibility. The velcro straps that secure the boots onto the leg are incredibly reflective, as you can see in these photos. They reflected the sunlight right back at me, creating quite a glare. They are extremely well equipped to pick up any light source and throw it back to any onlookers.
The second purpose of the bZeen Reflect Rider Front Leg Boots is to provide support and protection for your horse during exercise. Except for the reflective straps, these boots are identical to the Horze ProSoft Protective Front Boots, which are noted for their ability to protect and support the tendons and ligaments during a workout.
The boots are neoprene inside with a supportive grooves for the tendons and ligaments, and additional patches of suede for extra protection. There are three wide straps along the straight part of the leg, and one wide strap around the fetlock that acts as a brace for the joint, helping to prevent hyperextension of the fetlock joint. It was very easy to establish even pressure along the legs, which is always of the utmost importance when applying bandages or support boots.
A back view of the bZeen Reflect Rider Front Boots. Photo by Kate Samuels.
I took my Horze bZeen Reflect Rider Front Boots out for a ride, working first on the flat and then proceeding to a hack around the countryside. The boots stayed perfectly in place, with no slipping or rotating throughout the ride. While I did mention that they are quite light to hold, they are also very durable, and have very high quality details, which would indicate a good level of longevity.
The Horze bZeen Reflect Rider Front Boots serve to increase safety and visibility during rides in limited light, but also provide good support to the integral structures of your horse’s legs during exercise.
Now is a great time to buy these boots, as they are 30% off! They retail for $37.76, and you can check them out here.
Go Horze Equestrian! Go safety while riding! Go awesome protective boots!
