Suechoccy
Well-Known Member
I have Renegade Vipers (they are now 1 year old and just showing a bit of wear on the toe but plenty of life left) for my 11 year old cob x TB's front feet. He's always been barefoot but as of a year ago he became my main riding horse so we do a lot more tarmac (as there's lots of tarmac where I live) and he was wearing down his toe tips with the breakover onto the tarmac.
Liz Hapgood at Hoof Boutique took his measurements and advised me two sizes so I hired a fit kit containing both sizes to see which fitted best, then ordered that size pair of boots from Liz with discount against that cost for the fit kit cost. Really worth using Hoof Boutique.
The Vipers are excellent, they fit snugly, almost vacuum-like seal around the hoof, and then the loose (2 fingers underneath) heel captivator strap is there for added reassurance.
In 12 miles a week x 52 weeks which is... 600 miles, I've lost one boot twice. First, we were cantering and hit a deep soft patch of muddy grass and he over reached one off. Second, we were cantering along stubble and he spooked and spun 180 degrees in canter at a hare and lost one.
Thoroughly recommend the Vipers. (I had some Cavallo Treks when he was 5 but they tend to spin round on his hoof and he didn't really need them as we weren't doing much).
They don't rub. I ride all year round, rock hard ground, sloppy fenland river valley with oozy mud at the moment and flooded bits, stubble in summer and clay-hard bits.
If you go for hoof boots, the fitting is to a newly just trimmed hoof, not a 4 or 6 weeks old hoof, and the fit of Vipers in particular should be snug/fit so you may find you also need to own a farrier's rasp to keep foot in check between farrier trims, or you may want to see your farrier more often than 6 weeks.
Families with young kids esp toddlers love my horse's boots. I refer to them as his "Nike Air Maxes" and the parents say "Look, he's got his trainers on!" and often I'll be able to say, "Wow, just like yours, you and he both have velcro straps!"
Liz Hapgood at Hoof Boutique took his measurements and advised me two sizes so I hired a fit kit containing both sizes to see which fitted best, then ordered that size pair of boots from Liz with discount against that cost for the fit kit cost. Really worth using Hoof Boutique.
The Vipers are excellent, they fit snugly, almost vacuum-like seal around the hoof, and then the loose (2 fingers underneath) heel captivator strap is there for added reassurance.
In 12 miles a week x 52 weeks which is... 600 miles, I've lost one boot twice. First, we were cantering and hit a deep soft patch of muddy grass and he over reached one off. Second, we were cantering along stubble and he spooked and spun 180 degrees in canter at a hare and lost one.
Thoroughly recommend the Vipers. (I had some Cavallo Treks when he was 5 but they tend to spin round on his hoof and he didn't really need them as we weren't doing much).
They don't rub. I ride all year round, rock hard ground, sloppy fenland river valley with oozy mud at the moment and flooded bits, stubble in summer and clay-hard bits.
If you go for hoof boots, the fitting is to a newly just trimmed hoof, not a 4 or 6 weeks old hoof, and the fit of Vipers in particular should be snug/fit so you may find you also need to own a farrier's rasp to keep foot in check between farrier trims, or you may want to see your farrier more often than 6 weeks.
Families with young kids esp toddlers love my horse's boots. I refer to them as his "Nike Air Maxes" and the parents say "Look, he's got his trainers on!" and often I'll be able to say, "Wow, just like yours, you and he both have velcro straps!"
