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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who is ThinLine and how was the product discovered?
Per ThinLine: Elaine Lockhead Castelao, President of ThinLine, ran a large riding program in North Carolina and competed through Intermediaire I. Per Elaine: "I was riding these wonderful baroque horses, but was having a horrible time with saddle slippage and had resorted to using fore girths and cruppers, which the horses hated. I was riding at a barn where I came across an old piece of ThinLine so I tried it. Voila! No more saddle slippage."
Per ThinLine: ThinLine Inc. became famous for their revolutionary saddle pads made from a superior shock absorbing open cell foam.
What makes ThinLine Sport Boots different?
Per ThinLine: the boots are made with the same ThinLine material — "delivering the greatest impact protection without historical drawbacks." Per the company:
- Ventilates — supports tendons and reduces overheating
- Molds to legs for a custom fit (when warmed to about 85°F)
- Will not collect dirt
- Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial (USDA approved agents) — actually promotes healthy skin
- Extremely thin and flexible while providing more impact protection than 10 times the thickness of neoprene or other spongy foam products
What is the ThinLine Sport Boot?
Per ThinLine: the Sport Boot is thin, lightweight, and molds to the horse's leg. Per the company: machine washable (you can even bleach the white ones). Dirt does not stick to the ThinLine and water is not absorbed, so riders can work in wet arenas or cross rivers without the boot becoming heavy, shifting or rubbing. Available in two sizes — riders generally use a tall hind boot but may also couple the front Sport Boot with the Schooling ankle boot.
What is the ThinLine Schooling Boot?
Per ThinLine: the Schooling Boot has a hard shell plastic exterior in Black, White, Navy or Grey, lined with ThinLine shock-absorbing foam. Per the company: double Velcro closure with an open front. Has all the features of the Sport Boot. "Horses love this light weight breathable boot and owners love the protection, easy care and price."
What about ThinLine Bell Boots and Skid Boots?
Per ThinLine: Bell Boots and Skid Boots offer:
- Custom Fit: when warmed to body temperature, ThinLine molds to the horse's leg
- Protection: impact protection without bulk
- Non Slip: no-rub boots stay light even when working in wet conditions
- No More Dirt: arena footing won't stick to ThinLine
- Durability: easy to clean
- Health: infused with USDA anti-fungal anti-microbial agents
Per the company: Bell boots are available with or without sheepskin trim at the coronary band.
What is the ThinLine Cobra Boot?
Per ThinLine: the Cobra Boot "gives you all the support of the Sports Medicine Boot design but has a few added features not available in any other boot." Per the company: SMB boots are most frequently used on Quarter Horses (traditionally horses with the smallest and shortest cannon bone). Other boots add several layers of neoprene, making the boot look like "a big bump on an otherwise dainty leg." The Cobra Boot is described as a thin boot which looks more like a polo wrap. Since ThinLine vents laterally, it cools tendons beneath neoprene.
What do customers say about ThinLine Boots?
Per ThinLine customer testimonials:
- "I love these boots! They are so much easier to maintain than neoprene. I usually just hose them off after I ride... but if I throw them in the washer machine, they come out looking brand new!" — Christie (Open Front Schooling Boots)
- "These boots are great because they can be washed in seconds and they absolutely stay in place." — FEN
- "I ride dressage with my mare, and leg protection is crucial. These boots protect, fit as if custom made, and have a unique double velcro fastening system. Whether the horse is 15.3 or 17.2, these fit. With about 6 months of daily use, these boots still look brand new." — P Carter (Closed Front Sport Boots)
How do I order ThinLine Sport Boots?
Per ThinLine: products can be found in leading horse catalogs, online catalogs, and at the website. Phone 888-401-9101, email [email protected], website http://thinlineglobal.com. Address: 2945 South Miami Blvd, Ste 120, Durham, North Carolina 27703. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors.
What is a ThinLine sport boot?
It is a lightweight horse leg boot built around ThinLine's proprietary open-cell foam, which delivers impact protection in a wafer-thin, breathable design. Unlike traditional thick-neoprene sports-medicine boots, it conforms to the horse's leg and vents heat rather than trapping it. ThinLine offers a boot for every discipline, including jumping, dressage, eventing, western, and pleasure.
Who founded ThinLine and what is the company's background?
ThinLine was founded by Elaine Lockhead Castelao, a dressage competitor who in 2004 met an engineer developing a shock-absorbing material for athletic shoe insoles and realized it could protect horses. ThinLine Inc. first became famous for its revolutionary saddle pads made from a superior shock-absorbing open-cell foam. It remains a grassroots, USA-based manufacturer whose mission is to create a simple, honest connection between horse and rider.
How much shock do ThinLine boots absorb?
ThinLine states its open-cell foam achieves roughly 95% shock absorption. The foam distributes shock, weight, and heat laterally along the material without compressing, so it does not flatten out and lose protection over time. This is why a thin ThinLine boot can deliver heavyweight-level impact protection.
Are ThinLine boots actually breathable?
Yes. The boots pair a ventilated outer shell with the open-cell ThinLine foam lining so heat and moisture escape instead of building up against the leg. This keeps tendons cooler during work, which matters because excess heat can contribute to soft-tissue fatigue. The material is also non-absorbent, so it will not soak up sweat and water like neoprene does.
Will the boots fit my horse's leg correctly?
ThinLine boots use body heat to warm and mold to the individual leg, creating a custom fit that stays in place without slipping. Styles such as the Air Shock line come in 3/4 Hind, Fetlock, and Ankle sizes with specific heights and circumferences. Because the foam conforms rather than bunching, the boots hold their position throughout schooling and competition.
Can I use the same ThinLine boots on more than one horse?
Yes. The linings are infused with USDA-approved anti-fungal and anti-microbial agents that help keep skin healthy and allow safe use across multiple horses. The non-absorbent foam resists the bacterial and fungal buildup that occurs with sweat-soaked neoprene. This makes them practical for training barns and shared lesson strings.
What boots are in the ThinLine lineup and what do they cost?
The lineup includes Schooling Open Front & Ankle boots ($32.00–$45.00), Flexible Filly Closed Front Splint Boots ($88.00), Flexible Filly Air Shock Horse Boots ($65.00–$132.00), and ThinLine Pastern Wraps ($24.00). The lightweight Gatusos collection adds front, fetlock, bell, and travel boots, many currently on sale, such as the Gatusos Air UltraLight Front Horse Boot at $88.40 from $104.00. Prices are quoted directly from thinlineglobal.com.
What are the Flexible Filly Air Shock boots?
They are a lightweight boot offering heavyweight protection through Air Cushion Technology with an Offset Strike Guard and an airbag insert, lined with the non-compressing ThinLine open-cell foam. Each boot weighs approximately 10 ounces and is priced from $65.00 to $132.00 depending on style. They are available in 3/4 Hind, Fetlock, and Ankle configurations and work on shod horses.
How do I clean ThinLine boots?
Cleaning is simple because the material is non-absorbent and does not collect dirt. ThinLine advises that you simply hose them off and they are like new again, and you can use dish soap if needed. There is no lengthy drying or special care required, which helps the boots last for years.
How long do ThinLine boots and products last?
ThinLine cites exceptional longevity, with a typical service life of 10-plus years for its products. The open-cell foam does not compress permanently the way conventional padding does, so it retains its protective and shock-absorbing properties over time. This durability is part of why the company emphasizes long-term value over disposable tack.
What disciplines are ThinLine boots designed for?
ThinLine markets a boot for every discipline and specifically lists jumping, dressage, eventing, western, and pleasure riding. The open-front schooling styles suit arena flatwork and jumping, while the Air Shock and Gatusos lines cover everyday training, competition, and travel. The breathable, conforming construction is suitable across English and western programs.
What is the open-cell foam and why does it matter?
Open-cell foam is the core ThinLine technology, originally derived from an athletic shoe-insole material. Rather than compressing under impact, it spreads shock, weight, and heat laterally and recovers its shape, which is why it can be thin yet protective. The open-cell structure also allows air and moisture to pass through, making the boots breathable instead of heat-trapping.
Has ThinLine technology been endorsed by professionals?
ThinLine positions its saddle pads as the only pad endorsed by back surgeons, master saddlers, and veterinarians, with specific recognition for horses managing conditions like kissing spine. That same shock-absorbing open-cell foam technology underpins the boot linings. The company emphasizes testing and design credibility over heavy advertising.
Where are ThinLine products made?
ThinLine is a USA-based manufacturer, with domestic assembly for most of its product lines. The company describes itself as a small, grassroots operation that prioritizes product quality, testing, and design. This hands-on approach is rooted in founder Elaine Lockhead Castelao's original mission to protect and care for horses.
How do I buy ThinLine sport boots?
Boots and the complete ThinLine tack line are sold directly through the official site at thinlineglobal.com. Many Gatusos boot styles are currently discounted from their regular prices. You can also reach the company by phone at 919-680-6803 or via the contact page on their website.
Besides boots, what else does ThinLine make?
ThinLine became famous for its open-cell-foam saddle pads, and the line now spans Western, English, endurance, bareback, and baseline pads, plus saddle-fitting shims and seat savers. The tack range also includes reins, girths, cinches, bitless bridles, Flexible Filly grazing muzzles, and the SoftCue Crop. All of it shares the same comfort-and-breathability philosophy that drives the boots.
Why choose ThinLine boots over standard neoprene support boots?
Traditional neoprene support boots are thick, trap heat against the tendon, and hold sweat and moisture against the skin. ThinLine redesigned the boot to keep the support and function while removing those drawbacks, using a ventilated shell and breathable open-cell foam that vents heat and resists moisture and fungus. The boots conform to the leg with body heat, weigh as little as about 10 ounces each, clean in seconds, and are built to last for years.
