Best boots for wide hooves and grip

[Michen]

Hi all,

Just had the shoes off Boggle, he was in 1.5W easyboot gloves last year and is now needing a 2W if I go back to them- he measures bang on as wide as he is long (130cm).

However the renegade vipers seem to be promoted as having super grip, and our hacking can be pretty steep/greasy/grassy. Has anyone used renegades on feet as wide as they are long? With success?

 

[webble]

It's worth sending pics and measurements to hoof boutique for some advice they are very good

 

[ycbm]

Renegades are made for round feet or feet wider than they are long (in that case, you cut off the back edge or pay the supplier to. ) They are my goto boot but I would have to admit that I don't actually trust any boot for steep and greasy or steep and grassy.
.

 

[Taliesan]

I've used Renegade Vipers on my horse for fast hacking along grass verges and up bridleways and never had any issues.

The only time he has ever slipped in them is when we were on wet grass and he slammed on the brakes to go from fast canter to a full standstill - even then all that happened was he skidded forwards (in a straight line) for a foot or so before coming to a stop. It wasn't a problem, but I think the fact he didn't stop when he expected to took him a little bit by surprise.

On my young horse I am currently using Equine Fusion All Terrain Ultra boots and I have been very impressed with them so far. Admittedly we are just doing bits of walk and trot in hand on the roads, but the person who owns the business I bought them off has tested the boots on her ex-racer at a gallop with a good deal of success.

What I will say is that the Renegades are more plastic-like in their feel, although they have an excellent tread pattern. The Equine Fusions have a more rubber like base which feels more grippy to touch but I don't like the tread pattern as much as the one on the Vipers.

That said, when my younger horses' feet progress and if he still needs boots, I probably will get him a set of Vipers over the Equine Fusions.

 

[palo1]

Renegade vipers were the best boots I have used - especially for wide feet but I haven't found a pair of boots I would trust on steep, greasy grass. We had a vile accident on grass 8 or 9 years ago where boots couldn't cope - potentially it could have been very serious but wasn't thankfully. Never again!! I would always choose bare and then shod over boots for that terrain now. Thankfully vipers are easy to get on and off so if you have really mixed going perhaps use them judiciously though I know that can be a pain. I don't use boots at all at the moment as horses needing them for the winter get a pair of front shoes which, although it grieves me, I find safer on our going than boots.

 

[Caol Ila]

I have used Vipers and Scoots, and the Vipers give the pony a lot more grip. Or more like the grip he expects. He's a footing genius and will choose a clever line through dodgy mud and grass, while other horses slide about, but he was surprised when the Scoots slipped. I don't go fast over slippery ground, though.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

DP wears Vipers all round and he has nearly round hooves. 125x120 on front and 125x115 on back so just MM’s in it. They are by far the best boots I’ve used and in 6 years he has only ever slipped once on a steep camber in canter.

 

[GinaGeo]

Yes. I use vipers. They really are remarkably versatile.

Find mine has more grip in them than he ever did shod ?

 

[mavandkaz]

Feel free to have a look at my vipers. Never had an issue cantering out and about on our hacking. One little slip on the shallow mud after the harvest, but both barefoot horse and shod horse also slipped. Boots have never moved or come off.
They come in such a range of sizes. The fronts are round, and the hinds slightly longer then wide.

 

[Michen]

Feel free to have a look at my vipers. Never had an issue cantering out and about on our hacking. One little slip on the shallow mud after the harvest, but both barefoot horse and shod horse also slipped. Boots have never moved or come off.
They come in such a range of sizes. The fronts are round, and the hinds slightly longer then wide.

Would love to later and maybe try on for size if Bog is anywhere near the same size? Bear needs some too! Are they ok down the steep grass bit over the cow track?

 

[mavandkaz]

Would love to later and maybe try on for size if Bog is anywhere near the same size? Bear needs some too! Are they ok down the steep grass bit over the cow track?

They are 135x135. I'd imagine too small but welcome to try.
Not sure I've done that section, usually do the road - but no issues on milk bales (I always walk on the grass sides rather then the stone track, and fine down lady k backwards)