NEW rules for FEI showjumping regarding horse boots came into force on July 1.

Hind boots must now be removed and replaced by the groom before entering the competition arena, so that stewards can ensure the boots are properly fitted.

Stewards will now be checking hind boots before the riders go into the arena as well as after. This will be done to ensure that all compete under fair and equal conditions.

Research by Dr Jack Murphy, of University College Dublin, has highlighted the need to monitor welfare implications of weighted boots. The study, carried out last year, measured hind limb elevation while jumping and it found that horses fitted with performance-enhancing (weight and pressure) boots gave fences 30cm more clearance on average than those who were not. A leading scientist has also warned that using weighted boots on showjumpers and young horses could lead to long-term musculoskeletal problems.

The boots are designed to induce hyper-flexion of the hind limbs and are widely used in showjumping. In Ireland, nearly 70 per cent of horses competing at Nations Cup level and more than 47 percent of horses contesting national 1.30m young horse classes wear them.

At a vet symposium at Myerscough College, Preston, Lancashire, in February, Dr Murphy said: “Like all training aids, performance-enhancing boots have their pros and cons. At the moment, it is unclear whether their continued usage leads to damage or overexertion of equine limbs, but the fact that there is such a difference between horses who use them and those who don’t points to the possibility of long-term musculoskeletal problems.”

Top international showjumping rider Peter Charles said: “I would like to see weighted boots banned, in fact I’d like to see all back boots banned apart from soft felt ones with a limited degree of fastening. They do more harm than good, and are a total abuse in the wrong hands. There are no short cuts in riding.”