Old Mac's G2 or Epics?

[SharonA]

Does anyone have any insights into how these two compare? The Easyboot website says that the Old Mac’s are good for riding fewer than 25 miles per ride or per week, which is okay for now but you wonder why they put a limit on the mileage. The website suggests tat the Old Mac’s are alittle easier to put on.

We’re in New England, so the trails conditions include everything from perfect footing to deep sucking mud, pointy loose rocks, and clumpy long grass. We usually ride 5-15 miles at a time, a couple times a week. At some point I’m sure we’ll start doing the occasional 25-mile ride, but they won’t be the norm. My horse is barefoot with good feet but her tootsies need alittle help with small pointy rocks, of course.

I have Renegades and had been liking them very much, but suddenly they’re not fitting and I think Herself may have done something to the cable – it’s all stretched out and the heel cuff isn’t rotating properly. I’ll certainly see if they can be fixed and if the fit issue is something that can be tweaked, but just in case, if they’re not going to work, I want to know where else to turn.

[chicamuxen1]

Old Mac’s are much more like to rub the horse than the Epics, that’s probably the main reason for the mileage limitation. Plus someone that rides only 15-20 miles per week is probably doing a lot of walking, while someone that rides over 25 miles is like to be trotting/cantering (may be a distance rider) and that causes more boot movement, rubbing potential and more wear on boot. I would say the Epics will outlast the Old Mac’s also, no fabric, no velcro. Also, read about horse hoof shap. Is your horse round footed or oblong footed.

Bonnie S.

[SlobberHound]

Try to fix the renegades if you can.The cable can be a pain in the butt to adjust, but it’s worth it. Old Macs are ok, but it seems rocks and gravel get in them too easily, and they rub, and wear out too quickly. Easy boots are ok, but they’re a pain to put on.

Maria

[SlobberHound]

I forgot to post about the renegades… go to www.renegadehoofboots.com There’s a page how to adjust the cables.

Maria

[SharonA]

Renegades

Yeah… I decided that when all was said and done, I like the Renegades better than I think I would like the other options.

The cable seems stretched out, but the boot seems to work very well; I’m going to send a picture to the distributor… I think Fanny’s feet are growing (in a healthy way), and even though the boots were cut back, they may be too small now.

[rmh]

Renegade has great customer service. They will replace the cables for you at a nominal cost. It they are the old style with out a plastic screw in the heel captivator and the black sleeves you have to send them back anyways. the newer ones are more field friendly. They are way better than your other two choices.

[nmazteca]

Old macs & rubbing

I bought Old Macs, g2, not really knowing what to get, and even with the gaiters, tend to rub. Now I wrap vetwrap around the hoof bulbs and it prevents rubbing. They are good in a pinch, and to protect a hoof with an abcess, but will consider another brand when they wear out.

[mtngirl]

I’m always interested in hearing about different types/styles of hoofboots.

I have used Old Mac and now am using Cavallos, which I like much better than the Old Macs. I’d never heard of the Renegades. How are they as to pricing and wear? I only trail ride a couple to three times a month, but so far, the Cavallos have held up beautifully. I’ve never had one to come off and we’ve gone thru and over everything I can think of…from solid rock to sticky, deep mud. Oh, and I’ve had no problems at all with rubbing, and I ride an Appy that has white socks with pink, sensitive skin beneath. I don’t even have to wrap him.

I’m wondering too, how is the traction on the Renegades? From the photos, they don’t appear to have as much traction or “grip” as the Old Macs or Cavallos.

[SharonA]

Renegades

Renegades are expensive, at around $160-$180 a pair, once you factor in shipping, etc. They go on in seconds, aren’t clunky, and I haven’t had any problems with traction and we ride up and down one very steep road to get to the trails. I haven’t seen any signs of rubbing, and my horse is comfortable with them. But, these are the only boots I’ve had, so I can’t compare them to others.

The Renegades website has lots of nice testimonials from long-distance riders.

And they come in all sorts of festive colors.

[hastyreply]

Do you use renegades on all 4 feet? Or just on front feet? I have front shoes on my horse and maybe riding in some rocky areas next year and wonder about getting some for her hind feet. Or is that not recomended.
thanks.

[CanterQueen]

@mtngirl;3672956

I have used Old Mac and now am using Cavallos, which I like much better than the Old Macs.

I’m a Cavallos user as well. Love them. Easy to put on and they don’t damage the hoof wall (like Easy Boots can).
I looked up Renegades, but I thought I read how the supplier has to approve your farrier for fitting the shoes before you can purchase. Has this changed?

[gillenwaterfarm]

With the renegade’s heel arrangement, do you think it would rub a horse with an old heel bulb injury? Think one entire bulb is now scar tissue, and sensitive to rubbing. Do they stay in place well enough to not rub this area?
Thanks,

[Kinney]

I ride in epics and I love them, and they don’t come with the little metal teeth on the heel strap, it doesn’t need them with the gaiter on.

Many in the group I ride with use them and we ride about the same mileage as yourself if not a bit more. Some of them did try the old macs but they didn’t work out for them and went to using epics. Once you get the hang of it it really doesn’t take long to slip them on and off. There is a definite tecnique to it and my horse even helps me now that he knows when to stiffen his leg and when to relax while I slide them on and fit them. It is really pretty cool.

I would love to try the renegades but the are kind of pricey for me right now and I am very happy with my epics.

Perhaps on the fit your farrier can give you a old rasp and can teach you how to just take a little bit of the edge of the hoof off so they will fit better until the next trim.