A boot is not going to protect your horse’s legs from any real damage. Little scrapes maybe (for that a polo wrap is enough), but if the horse gets himself into a position where he’s going to do real damage to his legs, the wrap isn’t doing to do anything.

The reason people use boots is to prevent swelling, as legs will often swell on long trailer rides. For a 20 minute ride, you don’t really need any wraps. You might want to use polo wraps to keep the legs clean, but other than that, unneeded.

For the longer trips, standing wraps will be good to prevent the swelling.

First, I’d say the people saying boots aren’t necessary for a 20 min drive have never seen what a horse can do to themselves in half a second in a trailer. My thoroughbred spent several years showing every other weekend. We now don’t show as much but routinely haul 5+ hours. Pony knows how to trailer. Earlier this spring he slipped calmly backing off a trailer with a ramp and slit the inside of his hind leg very badly. That was the 1 time I have ever not trailered him in protective wraps. It was a 15 min ride.

I’d get http://www.doversaddlery.com/dovers-shipping-boots/p/X1-04157/cn/123/ if you want boots. That number of straps are a PAIN IN THE @SS but they make the boot fit the best and stay on the longest. The boots with only 3-4 straps are easy but not as easy to fit well. I’d also buy easy velcro bell boots and put them under the boots to protect the cornet band and heels.

If you can wrap correctly (always a good thing to learn!) I’d buy standing wraps and pillows (or no-bows) and wrap him (cupping the fetlock) then put bell boots on. Let a little more of the pillow come out below the wrap than you normally would to protect that 1-2 inch patch of skin that is normally left between a bell boot and wrap. I know it is a PAIN in the behind to wrap before you move your horse when its just a short ride but trust me, nothing is worse than knowing an injury could have been prevented if you had taken the time to wrap.

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/user/hunterthehonkey#p/u/3/5eBPNY3E2g4

^^ that video is why I am so obsessive about wrapping. a calm show horse stepping off a trailer ends up a bloody mess. its not the trailer ride that gets ‘em. its getting on and off

If you don’t use travel boots, even for a short trip it’s like saying “I wont use the seat belt in my car, I’m only popping up the shops” !! In a split second an accident can happen. Your horse would be thrown about and probably tear his legs to shreds. A good boot will fit from just over the hoof up to and above knees and hocks. It is also a good idea to use a poll protector and tail guard. Put a rug/blanket of some sort on him too. If it’s at all possible, have carpeting on the sides of your trailer for extra protection. It’s better to be safe than sorry.After saying all that he could wear knee boots and brushing boots and hock boots but the long ones are better especially in winter when it’s cold. Give yourself extra time to get him ready as some horse object to long boots being put on.