The Evolution of ?Sports Medicine Boots
As the adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that definitely holds true when it comes to vet bills—especially when simple precautions like using adequate protective boots on your horse is a rather inexpensive way to help prevent injury.
Professional’s Choice has been in the business of producing top notch leg gear since 1976, the year the company was founded by Dal Scott. Since then, they have conducted multiple studies and made continual advancements in their products (see sidebar).
Brief History
“Dal Scott, who invented Professional’s Choice and basically invented the Sports Medicine Boot, got hurt in 1976 and started off making human orthopedics for himself, actually, to rehabilitate so he could swim and things like that. Two years later he had a horse that blew a suspensory, and he wondered if he could make something for his horse,” Jake Gibbs, Brand Manager, explained. “So that is how the first Sports Medicine Boot was actually invented. Of course, he sent it to vets, tested it, and that’s how it started. The evolution comes when you start to tune things up,” he continued. “You find other raw materials, improved cuts to fit better, make sure the bell boot fits with the Sports Medicine Boot—those kinds of things. The way I describe it is that you have an ’85, ’95 and ’05 truck. Your ’85 truck is a lot of metal, crank down windows, never breaks down and you’re safe. That is like our SMB I or ll boots. They are bigger, bulkier, and you still have people who love them. Then your ’95 truck has a couple of power windows, a better stereo…that’s like our SMB III boots, a couple of extra bells and whistles,” he continued. “Our Elite boots would be like the newest truck. Leather, air conditioning, and all that stuff. That is the best way I can think to describe it.”
Advancements
But, how can the consumer know that each boot is better than the last?
“That comes from comfort. For instance, when you add a bell boot, the SMB Elite boot was cut quite a bit higher in the front, so you have more range of motion for the horse’s ankle because then you do not have the two parts interfering with each other,” Gibbs explained. “Also, the SMB Elite has VenTech which means it breathes more, is more comfortable, and doesn’t get a horse’s leg quite as hot. It functions like the other boots in absorbing up to 26% of negative energy, but it is just a more comfortable boot.”
Overall, Professional’s Choice sets itself apart through “straight up quality” and uses the best materials possible from the Neoprene to the Velcro.
“We are the Nike of the industry,” Gibbs concluded.
Cleaning tip to make your boots last longer: Hand wash your boots, don’t put them in the washer and dryer. If you use soap, make sure it is gentle and antifungal. Get a bucket of water, get your hands in there and get dirty with it!
40 years: The evolution of Sports Medicine Boots
1976: Professional’s Choice founded by Dal Scott
1987: The original Sports Medicine Boot was the first supportive equine boot, revolutionizing the leg care industry
1992: After vigorous testing, the second version of the SMB showed impressive results in its ability to support the horse’s leg and diffuse shock, absorbing up to 26% of negative energy
1996: Professional’s Choice and AQHA partnership begins
2005: The SMB Elite featured the most contoured design of the Sports Medicine Boot, with added darts and a more strategic cut the SMB Elite kept dirt and debris out and fit horses better than ever before
2008: The SMB-3 was introduced with a more contoured fit, updated lycra binding and a slight cut out at the bottom front of the boot to allow for full range of movement
2010: The latest VenTech SMB Elite conforms to the horse allowing heat and moisture to escape, keeping them cool, comfortable and performing at their best
2016: Celebrating 40 years and five generations of Sports Medicine Boots
