Hi all. I ordered some Renegade hoof boots for my horse (the standard ones- not the vipers). I ordered two so I can see how they fit and then if I like them will order another two. I would be interested in hearing about peoples tips and tricks for using them. I know to watch for twist- and there is a way to custom fit them in the heel with some kind of injectable material. Also wondering about frequency of cable issues, need for replacement. Thanks in advance.
too hard to edit. “need for replacement of cables.”
Mine went 10+ miles through mud, water and debris today, no issues. But there’s a learning curve with every boot. Each horse seems to wear out different boot parts: I replace cables maybe once a year (when they start fraying) but the mud and summer burrs do more damage to the Velcro, which I replace 3-4 times a year. I have a full set of every spare part. I love that I can replace individual pieces, including the bottom when I wear them out (which takes 600-800 miles, then they’re in the backup pile.)
I love mine and have never had an issue - have them for two different horses. I have a friend who had trouble with them ( and went back to shoes) her horse just couldn’t keep the one boot on - but he paddled a little so that might have been it.
Thanks for the feedback. I used to have easy boot epics but just hated the cable system- also had problems with her ripping the gator off at speed (sometimes over reaches). Not sure what will happen with the Renegades if she over reaches.
I love them . . . until I have to adjust the cable or replace them. The videos and photos are helpful and you can call them on the phone and they will help you. They are really great boots!
I have actually not ridden in them at all. I use them for turn out for a horse with hoof issues. That is not how they are meant to be used though really.
Subscribing because I am thinking of buying these for my horse.
Love mine, I bought one pair of Vipers to “test drive” first and about six months later bought another pair. Depending on the terrain I may boot just the front, if it’s really rough I boot all four. I have ridden 4-6 hrs through some pretty rocky terrain, mud, water, sand, for up to 5-6 consecutive days without issue. Have never lost a boot and have not had any issues with rubbing. Gets to be a drag putting them on & removing them, but worth it.
I’ve done a few 50 milers in them. My girls have white pasterns, and can get pretty pink under in wet conditions, though it is not a consistent problem. I’ve broken two cables in literally thousands of miles and never broken a strap on a ride. I’ve worn through the plastic on the sole and at the toe when I’ve not retired the boot soon enough.
I love how easy they are to put on and off, especially compared to some other boots.
I’ve done a few 50 milers in them. My girls have white pasterns, and can get pretty pink under in wet conditions, though it is not a consistent problem. I’ve broken two cables in literally thousands of miles and never broken a strap on a ride. I’ve worn through the plastic on the sole and at the toe when I’ve not retired the boot soon enough.
I love how easy they are to put on and off, especially compared to some other boots.
I have them for an EPM survivor who otherwise trips behind in anything else, including bare feet. For him they have been a godsend (on his back feet) so that he can be ridden without issue. The Renegades are the only boot that cause him to lift his feet a fraction higher for a rounder arc, and thus 100% prevent the tripping caused by the EPM damage to his nerves in his feet. The fact that they fit beautifully on a well trimmed hoof (read that three times - the trimming is VERY important) and are easy to get on and off, is a plus. He only wears the Renegades in the back - I keep aluminum St. Croix eventers on his front feet as they suit him the best.
On the negative side - the cables do fatigue after a while, and I’ve had a pair break on a set of older Renagades within a day of each other. The velcro can curl back from mud and grime, so I’ve had to move the rubber bands further up on the strap to help hold close the velcro ends tighter.
Because of the cable breakage, I have yet to trust them on my new endurance horse (who wears the 2016 designed Gloves which suit her beautifully). I may try them out this Spring, however, since I just purchased a new pair for my EPM boy.
The Scoot Boot is the one I really want to try out.
I used them on my TB when he retired and I pulled his back shoes (our N GA trails are very rocky). I didn’t do anywhere near endurance type riding, but they got steadily used for that - up and down steep trails with deep ravines/non level footing as well as plenty of water crossings and I never had any issues with them. I’ve even used them over a hoof wrap on another horse while waiting for a bruise or abscess to burst - where they have stayed on for 12 hours at a stretch with no issue. I’ve got a new horse who I thought would need a pair of renegades at least for the super rocky areas, but so far he’s a tough footed dude (as to be expected from his breed).
I did have to “fit” them but I already owned the vettec gun/tips, etc. so I just had to buy the hard fill stuff (these are technical terms, I know, but try to stay with me 
)
If you don’t have the gun/tip, your farrier probably has it and all you need to do is order a tube of the hard fill (in case he doesn’t carry it, Jeffers carries it) and have him do it when he comes out the next time. It’s as simple as cleaning the foot, putting hoof oil on it, put the boot on, use the gun to squeeze in stuff, clean up the excess, take the boot off as soon as it hardens (the oil keeps it from sticking to the hoof boot. I used a dremel to smooth it out after that.
I’ve had great success with the Renegades holding up for trail riding over rocky footing. As others said, plan on replacing the velcro periodically. I’ve rarely had to replace cables, but it’s straightforward to do.
I’ve been able to use the boots as-is, without any “fillers” to get a specific fit. They work well even if they’re a bit loose. I’m just trail riding, so a better fit might make a difference for endurance.
gothedistance - I bought a pair of scoot boots for my youngster because I liked the no velcro concept. I’ve been very disappointed in their durability. With light riding, I’ve already had a pastern strap rip, one set of bottom tabs come completely out, and a chunk break off the outside of one boot. I will buy another set of Renegades when these bite the dust.
I am not an endurance rider but use Renegades for my arena work. My horse hates being shod…long story and lots of work with her and she still didn’t like it so I decided to try BF with a little help. I do mostly arena work but my boarding barn’s arena has rock migration issues. During the hot dry months (usually 6 months of the year) for my piece of mind and my horse’s protection, I use boots.
I use Renegades and they have worked great. I do all the dressage stuff, up to and including half-pass and flying changes and seldom a problem. My mare does do a little hock wringing so she does fray the cables on the back boots after a year or so. She will wear through the toe in front. I have had her in Renegades since she was 6 (she will be 15 this year) and I have bought 3 sets for front and 3 sets for rear in that time. Quite cost effective. They take about 5 minutes to install (all 4) and about 2 minutes to pull so it isn’t that bad time wise. I have tried other brands of boots (Cavallos and Easyboot) and they just don’t fit her right. So, to not mess with a good thing, we will stay with Renegades.
Susan
GreyDes - THANK YOU. I’d been hoping to get some honest “real life” reviews of the Scoot Boot before investing in them, and hadn’t yet found any “review” trustworthy enough. Yours - I do. Especially since you trail ride and don’t compete. Yours apparently isn’t the only review that talked about the strap breaking on the initial ride. Quality control seems to also be an issue. I can’t afford to have boots come apart during competition - so I appreciate your feedback.
In the meantime, I’ll stick with Renegades and the newest evolution in the Glove for my new endurance horse. I’ve decided at the age of 63 that I don’t want to be bending over hammering on shoes anymore. I’m tired of it. Been doing it since I was mid-twenties, and now that boots have finally reached a stage where they can be used hard without issue AND survive a 50-100 mile ride, or multiday, I’m ready to retire my farrier hammer and nails. I’ll just keep myself supplied with fresh rasps, and decorate my barn with my remaining stock of aluminum shoes…
Thanks. This has been very helpful. Renegades are “in the mail.” Looking forward to trying them out. Hope they will work well for my girl.
They are excellent… one tip, as opposed to other boots, do not over tighten them, when they are too tight, they will come off… mild snugness is all they require. Keep the velcro very clean after every ride, it will extend the life.
I have a pair of Vipers for my Arab who has pretty square feet (135x130) that I have used the last year. He had been catching his front shoe (despite my farrier’s best efforts to hide the edge and be sure breakover was good) and while not bending or pulling the shoe he had a couple of spectacular biffs that made the shoes not worth it so I pulled them and put him in boots.
I have replaced the cables on one boot twice in the last year and the velcro paster straps twice as well, but he does wing in his right fore just enough to hit it the left boot as he walks, though usually not in the trot and never in the canter. The shell has held up well to his abuse and I haven’t had any issues with him stepping on the boot at all.
His left front is a little wider and I have to keep up on it with a rasp. I’m thinking about bumping up a size on that one to make life easier as putting it on gets harder towards the end of the trim cycle.
He is mostly a lesson horse at this point being ridden 3-5x a week in an arena setting both on the flat and over fences so I can’t vouch for the trail application, but a friend of mine has done a few hundred miles in her original Renegades and had been very happy with them.
