A half-spur for use with an equestrian footwear includes a spur having a neck portion that extends in a downwardly direction when warn by the user with a tip portion, which can vary in shape and size. A curved body supports the spur where such that spur is attached to one end of the curved body. The opposite end of the curved body includes a flat, rounded edge. The curved body extends around only on one side of the rider's footwear and the rounded end is inserted into a pocket within the footwear for holding it firmly in place and pivot as needed for chosen spur tip position. The spur neck is secured at the back of the footwear in an open aperture with the tip protruding outwards and backward facing.

An apparatus, a system, and a method for protecting a horse from a riding boot or spur is provided. The apparatus comprises a body section having a rear portion which is padded and configured to cover a lower rear part of a footwear item, and the body section is configured to wrap around an ankle section of the footwear item. The apparatus further includes an adjustable closure mechanism configured to close the apparatus and secure the apparatus around the ankle section of the footwear item; and an open top portion, an open bottom portion, and an open front portion, each of which is configured to receive a part of the footwear item therethrough. The apparatus may be worn over a riding boot having a spur, and the apparatus protects the horse from contact by the spur.

A shoe with a sole, upper, and shaft, whose upper and shaft contain a number of modifications to increase flexibility of the shoe but maintain protection for the wearer of the shoe. These modifications fall into the general categories of notch and aperture. The upper also has a number of protrusions into the shaft to increase protection in the protrusion areas. The location, shape, and size of these notches, apertures, and protrusions are important for optimizing the flexibility and protective qualities of the shoe.

An equestrian boot cover for protecting against the elements and extending the life of an equestrian riding boot comprising a cover body and a neck extending the height of the equestrian riding boot for forming a snug fit against the outer surface of the equestrian riding boot and including a spur aperture for allowing passage of the spur from about the equestrian boot cover.

Articles of footwear with localized traction regions. An article of footwear includes an upper with a shell and a sole assembly coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes an outsole with a traction surface and a heel region from which a heel projects. The sole assembly and the upper collectively define a foot compartment. The traction surface includes a plurality of distinct localized traction regions, each of which has a traction coefficient that is different than that of at least one other localized traction region. The traction surface further defines and/or includes a stirrup glide surface. The stirrup glide surface is configured to permit the article of footwear to be selectively inserted into and removed from a stirrup of a saddle by sliding along a tread surface of the stirrup without obstruction by the stirrup.

Provided herein is a riding boot having a shaft and an incorporated shin guard on an anterior side within a lining of the shaft, wherein the shin guard protects a user's shin when the boot is worn, and wherein the shin guard wraps around at least a portion of a left side and at least a portion of a right side of the user's shin.

An equestrian boot cover for protecting against the elements and extending the life of an equestrian riding boot comprising a cover body and a neck extending the height of the equestrian riding boot for forming a snug fit against the outer surface of the equestrian riding boot and including a spur aperture for allowing passage of the spur from about the equestrian boot cover.

An orthotic stirrup interface between a horse and a rider is disclosed. Aspects of the invention include an improved stirrup, an orthotic riding boot, and an indexed interface between the stirrup and orthotic riding boot. Embodiments of the present invention provide for a positive indexed engagement between the foot of a rider and the stirrups. The positive indexed engagement provides greater stability and control of the rider with the horse, improves safety of the rider and horse. An orthotic profile to the stirrup reduces pain and discomfort in the rider's feet. Embodiments for each of a thoroughbred racing stirrup and a therapy riding stirrup and associated footwear are disclosed.

A lower body equestrian riding boot system for holding a riding spur includes a boot having one or more pockets located on an outer surface of a side and near one end of the boot, the pocket is configured to retain a free end of a riding spur yoke. A backstrap located on an outer surface of a back side and near the bottom of the boot has one end that is releasably attached to the boot and includes an aperture through which a neck of a riding spur projects. A concealed curved zipper extending beyond the front of a pocket. The pocket, the backstrap and the zipper cooperate to secure the riding spur to the boot, so that the spur can be easily attached, adjusted and/or removed from the boot, and so the boot can be removed from the foot with the spur still attached.