These bell boots let me know exactly where I am having a problem. When my horse is getting better there is very little damage to the boot. When she is having a big problem they r damaged to the point that I may have to throw one out but the other one is fine. Therefore I know exactly where the problem is or is not. I value their ability to be damaged & it tells me which foot & how much of a problem I am having. With regular boots they r not damaged when I have a problem. Therefore, unless I have someone to observe me riding or observe my horse in the stall or pasture 24/7 I don't know when the problem is occurring or when.