Prevent Fetlock Bed Sores
24 NOV 2018, updated NOV 2025
The following “Tip of the Day” is provided to assist you with horse and farm management. It is an idea developed by and/or used by Leslie Raulin. This tip is available to you at your own risk. Leslie Raulin does not make any claims or warranties nor does she have any financial interest in any products that may be mentioned.
A horse “bed sore” is an abraded area that develops on body surfaces that contact the ground when a horse is lying down and/or rolling. They can be located on a number of prominent areas, particularly the point of the hocks, the point of the hip, and the front of the front fetlocks.
My mare Zendola Fortuna (Zen) came with fetlock bed sores when I purchased her. The previous owner put on polos when she was ridden, but no protection when she was in her stall or in the pasture. The polos did not seem to address the problem. I therefore set about looking for solutions.
(Over time, with veterinarian consultation, Zen either has narcolepsy or a sleep disturbance. This causes her to start to fall when she is sleeping standing. She usually quickly awakes so she does not completely fall, but she goes low enough to abrade the front of her front fetlocks.)
I tried a variety of commercial products, including the products in the photos (left – Professional’s Choice, right – Click Horse Products). Since Zen usually lives outside, these fabric-based products quickly got very wet and very dirty, further complicating her problem.
Internet searches lead to the idea of upside-down bell boots. Unfortunately, I do not recall the reference.
My preference was Davis bell boots as they are easy to clean. Since Zen also needs front regular bell boots, I used size large in blue for the hoof and medium in white to protect the fetlock. Zen could wear these outside without getting them soaking wet. The bell boots do accumulate mud, which needs to be removed frequently, but it is easy to do with the Davis boots.
Two problems arose:
- Over time, the weight of the upside-down Davis boots began to cause rubs.
- Unfortunately, Davis bell boots are no longer being manufactured.
So I set out for an alternative. I liked the fit of the Click Horse Products fetlock protectors shown above, but not the fabric. So I used the protectors as a pattern and made protectors using yoga mat material, Velcro, and a bit of sewing.
My favorite yoga mat material is the Sunny Health & Fitness Non-Slip Yoga Mat Premium Grey purchased from Amazon for $39.99 (click here). It is also available in blue, pink, and purple.
It is strong, nicely cushioned, and does not absorb water.
The mat is 71″ x 24″ x 0.25″ thick so provides enough material to make many fetlock protectors.
I initially used a thinner yoga mat material but it wore out very quickly.
I used 2″ sew-on hook and loop (Velcro) purchased from Amazon ($8.48 for 3 yards) (click here).
I will switch to 3″ Velcro for more strength – see below.
Photo pending.
Using the Click Horse Products fetlock protectors as a master, I made a cardboard pattern to cut two pieces of the material.
Using a sewing machine and strong thread, I sewed the Velcro onto to cut yoga mater material.
I then put the fetlock protectors on Zen.
Note the Velcro edge is starting to tear loose. Next time I plan to use 3″ Velcro (click here) to give stronger construction.
After wearing the fetlock protectors for about two weeks, good preliminary healing of the bed sore can be seen.
Zen has been wearing the fetlock protectors all the time for over four years, except for riding – in her pasture and in her stall. The bed sores are healed, although thickened areas of the skin are apparent and she is sensitive when the area is palpated. Zen has not experienced any rubs from the fetlock protectors. If I leave the fetlock protectors off for a few days, the bed sores start to develop again.
UPDATE: The fetlock protectors made by Click Horse Products have a new design. I assume the new design can be used to make a pattern for home-made fetlock protectors.
They can be purchased from their website (https://www.hockshield.com/) for $41.81 or from Chewy, Amazon, Stateline Tack, and other sites, often for a lower cost. Some of the sites show the older design.