I see a lot of references to the Easy Boot Gloves - does anyone have a comment about Easy Boot Epics? My trimmer suggested these and she just fit my mare in a pair. I would love to hear reviews - good or bad.
Thanks.
I’ve been using Renegades on front since May, though only on our flat, groomed gravel trails. They have worked very well. They will however start to twist a bit if the hoof is getting long. ideally, you’d want to do a light rasp in the middle of a 6 week trim cycle, or keep your trims on a tight 4 week schedule. They are designed for use with a good barefoot trim, short toes and heel. Also, it’s not recommended to use them if the horse has a lot of flare, since then they will not fit right. I went to boots because we’d had hoof damage from rough trails the previous summer, and had flare with some mechanical separation between the sole and wall. It didn’t really resolve until my farrier was quite aggressive about cutting back the damaged wall. Like a split hair, if we left separated wall on, the damaged just kept perpetuating itself. So we had to wait over the winter with frequent trims before I got the Renegades in the spring.
Another vote for the Renegades. I use fronts on my TWH for trails and knock on wood not lost one. River crossings, boggy mud pits and thick sucking clay mud pits.
My mom and her horse accidentally got caught in a peat pit (horse up to his belly - Uh-Oh!) and hers STILL stayed on. None of us could believe that one.
I tried Cavallos initially, but they were really clunky and I didn’t like how they go up past the coronet band.
Be careful when going on steep inclines of grass or gravel - the Renegades will slip. Also keep a watch on the miles that those cables have racked up - they do tend to snap when the boot is old and has been used hard (mountains, stressful trails).
That said, they are awesome boots with a great track record for staying on (a well freshly trimmed hoof) under tough conditions. The thickness of the sole is also excellent for protection from harsh terrain.
I have the Easy Boot Epics for my horse’s fronts. I have been happy with the fit, they don’t come off when cantering, in mud, or water. I do the gaiter strap tightly.
The front metal clip broke off on my last ride, and the boots managed to stay on the rest of the ride with no problems despite the lack of tension on the cable. The boots slip on grass, but that is the only traction problem I have had.
In the past I’ve used Cavallo boots for another horse. When his front shoes started clinking, I’d put the boots on him and ride him with them. I did a low level event in them and had no problems galloping and jumping on grass. I also turned him out for a few days at a time in them when he lost a shoe or was close to it. They did rub a little without the gaiters.
I just ordered Renegades for my big TB to replace the Epics. I am not sure how well they’ll fit because of the shape- we’ll see. If they aren’t great, I’ll probably go back to the Epics.
Thanks for your response, Right on Target.
Not to hijack but I have issues using the hoof boots.
I have a Thoroughbred who seems to think that he doesn’t need to wear anything on his feet, but he does. 
In Renegades (both original and Vipers), he either snaps the cables or pulls them off.
In the Easyboot Gloves (which were fitted by an Easyboot fitter), they either twist or he pulls them off.
Argh!
Long ago, I think he managed to do okay with the old Mac G2’s in front.
I can’t put shoes on because he pulls them off as well (after 4 farriers, I gave up - easier to replace a boot than a shoe). Sigh.
He yanks the fronts off with his hinds.
He steps on his hind with the opposing hind (he is a bit um, dramatic).
He tends to have minor flare and low heel.
I hunt, trail ride (6-9 miles/day, 4-5 days/week), pace event and some jumping.
I would love advice and suggestions!!!
Loves to Ride - gonna ask a couple of questions first, then give you my 2 cents worth as a distance rider who does her own shoeing for foxhunting, endurance, carriage driving - all Welsh ponies - AND has a pony that is so similar to yours that it isn’t funny. Let me tell you, honey, I feel your pain.
Questions:
- does your horse pull off his shoes out in turnout, while ridden, or both? Does it happen at a walk, trot, canter, or all three?
- How has your farrier addressed the low heels, and the shoe breakover?
- What kind of shoes does your horse wear (what metal, what manufacturer)
- Do you use bell boots when your horse is shod?
- Have you had your horse's stride analysed to help determine how his footfall affects his forging and shoe grabbing?
Regarding the boots:
- the Renagade cables will snap if too much tension is placed on them - ie: you pull the velcro tabs too tight thinking it will hold the boot onto the foot better. If you are pulling tight, then your horse's hoof isn't trimmed properly for the boot. You HAVE to have a short toe, filed to a very round shape at the toe, and the foot has to be flat on all quarters on the ground. Otherwise, the boot dynamics won't work with the foot the way it should.
- Easyboot Gloves are nice but I have found they don't work on a horse that already has "shoeing/booting issues". They do twist because they are very soft and too forgiving.
- a whole closed boot might be your best option because they tend to be impervious to stupidity from the other hoofs.
Now, my suggestion might be - because of the sports you do and the fact that you really do need reliable hoof protection for these sports - try shoeing in the front (aluminum with a full edge bevel), and booting behind (Renegades or any other boot that won’t twist) and keep him in sports bells 24/7.
Rationale: Aluminum in the front will allow your horse to move naturally (because of the extreme lightness), and also allow for the front end to move out (of the way of the hind end) faster. Boots in the back will cause the horse to have more rounded upwards lift to his hind end stride, and that may help him not overreach as much. It is very subtle, but it is there.
Thanks gothedistance for your thoughtful response!
He pulls shoes if he moves, so both while ridden, and in turnout and with bell boots (different kinds have been tried, pull on, Sports Medicine, etc.)
He does it mainly at the canter, sometimes at the trot and when spooking, also while landing from a jump, spooking, scratching his foot and scaring himself and leaping… You get the picture. (Silly horse).
As far as analyzing his gait… He tends to be short-backed and has a big stride. Watching him, he tends to really come under himself behind which is fine, until he gets distracted in any way and “forgets” he’s got a front end to get out of the way.
Any suggestions for a good closed boot that might work?
Early on, the original Old Mac G2’s in front worked well, but I wasn’t working him as hard back then.
For reference, he’s currently in a size 2 Glove LH and 2.5 the rest.
I really appreciate your feedback!!! Very detailed!
Let’s first talk about the shoes. We’re going to go point to point here, and see if we can develop a visual narrative.
[LIST=1]
Let’s start with these, first. Just answer each question, and then I’ll have a dozen more. 
PS - I find the LH smaller to be very interesting. Might mean nothing, but we’ll see.
I have starting doing two wraps around the hoof with athletic tape (start on heel bulbs, stay below hair line), and I am liking boots much better. No movement in them this way.
LTR, I have your boy’s long lost twin. He has pulled a shoe the day I shod him, walking in a dry paddock. He has been known to step on his bulbs when barefoot. His hooves are wider than long, so only the Renegades are even a possibility. At $400 a set, I can’t afford them. He ripped the gloves to shreds on the first ride.
The only thing I have found that works for him is plastic in front (specifically the polysteel regular pattern shoes, leaving the quarter clips). I trim the shoes CLOSE. In the back, we use St. Croix EZ Fit plain steel with plastic pads and packing (gravel road). He must be ridden in bells, preferably a heavy duty no-turn bell. Rubber gets literally shredded, no matter the sizing. My boy has good angles in the front, around 53*. His hinds are naturally lower in angle. I do round the front toes back some. Back toes only get taken back to meet the shoe. I do have to notch out the hoof a bit for the clips in front, but thats more due to the thickness of the clips on a plastic shoe and the need to keep the shoe fit pretty tight.
katyb,
Do you have any pictures of how you do the athletic tape? I’m a visual person and pictures are so helpful! Thanks in advance if so!
gothedistance,
I’ll try to answer as I haven’t attempted shoes in 9 years but when he did wear them we used the Eventers which I believe had a beveled edge? I’m testing my memory on this one!
We did roll his toes in front and square behind.
The bells were the Sports Medicine boots Large and they did hit the ground and then some.
My horses never wounded himself so I think all interference is low.
We had tried different types of shoes, back when he was shod.
Hampton Bay,
My guy’s feet are also slightly wider than long. He used to wear Old Mac’s in front and they worked great. Slightly clunky but great. I loved the original Renegades but his feet must have changed because now I can’t get them to stay put.
The past few days I have up and rode him in his Easyboot Gloves in front and barefoot behind and took it easy. He only managed to start to pull off one front boot.
Sigh.
I really appreciate your advice, suggestions and comments!
It’s an annoying problem…
[QUOTE=gothedistance;8362309]
Let’s first talk about the shoes. We’re going to go point to point here, and see if we can develop a visual narrative.
[LIST=1]
Let’s start with these, first. Just answer each question, and then I’ll have a dozen more.
PS - I find the LH smaller to be very interesting. Might mean nothing, but we’ll see.[/QUOTE]
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/bootlegging/applying-athletic-tape-with-easyboots
Well, I’m going to throw up my hands. You’ve tried about everything I would have suggested.
My only suggestion now would be to experiment in booting him behind, and shoeing in the front. Aluminum St. Croix eventers, placed forward on the hoof, nothing overhanging. And keep sports bells on the front as well.
Otherwise, my sympathies. :lol:
So today, I head out for a ride to enjoy the fall foliage.
Beast spooks at some horse-eating invisible object, legs go flying and he 1. Pulls front boot and, I love this one, 2. Rips the screw on the outside of the power strap so now it’s flapping.
I gave up. Picked up a canter and enjoyed the sound of flapping boots on the fallen leaves. Sigh. :lol:
I do appreciate your responses!
What about a boot like the Cavallos which go up higher and are thus harder to pull off?
Or using the Shells and athletic tape or gorilla glue to make them low profile and removable?
Gluing on the shells for a longer period of time?
enjoytheride,
I tried the Cavallos. Couldn’t get the right fit as they seem to for more of an upright foot but thanks for the suggestion!
Since (long ago) the Old Mac G2’s worked for him, I’m going to look at those again.
[QUOTE=Loves to ride;8374080]
So today, I head out for a ride to enjoy the fall foliage.
Beast spooks at some horse-eating invisible object, legs go flying and he 1. Pulls front boot and, I love this one, 2. Rips the screw on the outside of the power strap so now it’s flapping.
I gave up. Picked up a canter and enjoyed the sound of flapping boots on the fallen leaves. Sigh. :lol:[/QUOTE]
OK. I’m really sorry, but…this made me howl with laughter. I, too, have had those Gloves screws pull through. On a back boot. The center screw which allowed the boot itself to get caught around the ankle, and the ONLY way to get it off was to cut the d@&n gaiter in two. :mad: It was really lucky that I was carrying a knife (since I was on a 20 mile ride with friends and always take emergency equipment with me, just in case). Suffice to say, I no longer used them except on my driving ponies who only go at a relaxed trot.
Again, think about shoes in front with sport bells and boots behind.
The shells are a one time use and only supposed to be used for a day or two, no longer. There are some plastic resin materials that can be formed on the foot to create a “shoe”, but I need to research them some more before I could recommend them.
