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Post by Kelly Marks on Mar 4, 2009 10:15:34 GMT 1
Monty is a big fan of Cavallo Saddle Pads and has now taken an interest in their hoof boots. However he feels they have a couple of minor design faults (although I suspect if you’re picky you could say that about any boot). He’s been so impressed with how brilliant you all are that he asked his daughter to send a message requesting information. Here’s her message “ It would be interesting to hear from the group if anyone has really tested the mileage on these two boots www.renegadehoofboots.com and www.equiworld.net/uk/ezine/1002/marquis.htm And also Cavallo’s Simple Boot. What is the group saying about boots and barefoot in general? Are they trying it?” I think also you may be able to direct her (Debbie) in the right direction of other good links and information. Many thanks Kelly
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Post by jen1 on Mar 4, 2009 11:34:34 GMT 1
the best person that i know of Kelly who has really trailed all the boots is ukancp Sarah braithwaite, she used to trim my Neddie's a few years ago till she got weely famous, i saw the renagade before they had a name, she had just brought it back from America, to my mind there isnt 1 boot that is best, its which hoof fits a particular boot best, for bigger plates of meat, the boot choice is limited, theres a few that not on the famous list such as hoof wings,/and horse mock which are bespoke that are pretty good too, when they say the best boot the best boot for what? traction? staying on? fit?getting them on and off? i think Sarah trailed lots of boots and was pretty active in getting them to the for front so for unbiased info www.performancebarefoot.co.ukYann has trailed a few boots too, ive only used epic bares as these are my only option for barney, a pain to get on, and not the best traction, on grass anyway,
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pd
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,367
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Post by pd on Mar 4, 2009 11:37:05 GMT 1
Hi I haven't tried Renegades or Cavallos, but I have tried the Marquis pretty extensively. (Also I'm a qualified trimmer).
Initially I chose the Marquis because of its minimal design, it fits very snugly and once you have the airbag at the right fit for the foot, you can leave them alone and simply do the boot up just with the one clip on the front - easy. I think they're the least clumpy of any hoof boot on the market.
They have replaceable sole plates (and other components) which makes them last much longer than any other boot I've tried and the soles are quite rubbery which makes their grip on tarmac very very good indeed.
The downside I found was the occasional "flung" boot when cantering. The design doesn't fit above the hairline and I think this is what allows this to happen. In my opinion they need a more secure fastening around the fetlock to stop this happening.
Also, occasionally because of their excellent grip, if a horse spooks, the boot can twist round the hoof, rather than go with it.
So on balance, a great boot for hacking long distances on hard surfaces in walk and trot. I wouldn't recommend it for riding in soft going, or at faster speeds.
In my opinion the "perfect" boot hasn't been designed yet, but the best so far is the old mac G2.
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Jenna
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,353
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Post by Jenna on Mar 4, 2009 12:44:20 GMT 1
I agree with pd - although I haven't tried ALL makes of boot the ones I've found to be the best are the Old Mac G2s.
I did have a pair of Cavellos. 'Did' being the operative word as I lost them both in some deep mud at the side of a stream - the G2s stayed put.
The Cavellos are very simple to put on, but I think this is part of their downside too. There is no way of firmly securing the boot to the hoof, I found they tended to twist, particularly if the horse spun around - the boot stayed as the foot spun!
There are quite a few of us barefoot trimmers on here, Kelly, so if Monty wants to know more about 'going barefoot' all you have to do is shout - I'm sure we can all come up with a whole host of pros, cons and specific case studies.
PS - I'm the one that came along with Roz and Centy on Saturday!
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Post by maggie555 on Mar 4, 2009 14:20:32 GMT 1
I haven't tried either of the models myself. I'd recommend the yahoo group archives from "barefoothorsecare" as a place where you can find first hand reports from people who have tried a variety of hoof boots. The Renegades haven't been on the market long, and were hard to get initially, so I think apart from the beta-testers, there probably aren't that many 'regular' people who have put on a lot of miles with them yet, but I may be wrong. Any reason why the Easycare range isn't mentioned? I think the Easyboot Glove looks very promising and slim. The webpage below has a nice overview of the different hoof boots available, and some comments on what hoof shape/type of riding they are most suitable for. It also shows a price range for the boots (no boots are sold from this page). www.all-natural-horse-care.com/hoof-boots.html
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Post by KoLaTo on Mar 4, 2009 20:00:15 GMT 1
I've got Cavallos, excellent boots for my round footed ponios, have never flown off even when my mare trashed the back of one of them. Hers lasted over a year before she managed to pull the back out and even then with a bit of gaffer tape, they are still usable.
I've just bought another pair actually, in a sale for £45 - woohoo!
Excellent budget boot and really do last the mileage, i've done everything in mine.
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Post by taklishim on Mar 4, 2009 21:22:30 GMT 1
I have tested the mileage on the renegades and to me they are by far the best. I am currently on the easyboot gloves which will probably come second to renegades. Easy to get on etc and better traction than the bares but I cannot ever see easycare's traction equalling the renegades.
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colin
Advanced Poster
Posts: 389
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Post by colin on Mar 4, 2009 22:39:32 GMT 1
I used oldmacs (the origionals0 in transision to barefoot for both my Icelandics. I had very little choice with the make as mine have little round hoofs.
Both now doing so well dont have them on. The big change is in their hoof shape which is much better and also their confidence.
When i was at the kell/pie demo at Hoplands I seem to remeber an equine foot person with a stand with old macs on-he said they were excellent
One thing would ask monty to thing about-that is that very few hoof boots seem to be for little round hoofs.
By the way had to use someting similar to montys stuff with 'advance and retreat' to get them on Flicka for a few times-she did not like the vercro-boots flew everywhere
its worked
Colin
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Post by Yann on Mar 4, 2009 22:41:27 GMT 1
I'd agree with Renegades being the best boot I've tried so far in several respects for riding in various testing circumstances.
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Post by june on Mar 4, 2009 23:50:32 GMT 1
I've tried Old Mac G2s and found them good but clumpy. I have a horse that overtracks and so forges in them but no matter how hard she whacks them they stay put.
I've tried Boas and they've rubbed pretty much every horse I've tried them on.
I would love to try Renegades but they don't make them big enough, and my horse doesn't have particularly big feet!
Susan with Flynn has just got some Hoofwings. They are custom made and look fantastic. Very simple, light and neat. She's only had them a couple of weeks but they've stood up to cantering in the school and hacking so they would appear to be close to the perfect boot.
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pd
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Posts: 1,367
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Post by pd on Mar 5, 2009 10:16:35 GMT 1
I just can't bring myself to try the Renegades, they look so silly!!!
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Post by taklishim on Mar 5, 2009 11:05:30 GMT 1
I just can't bring myself to try the Renegades, they look so silly!!! Ah, PD, looks deceive you. ;D Bright orange renegades are the best thing out. A quick glance and you can see everything is still there and OK. They are the best talking point as well. EVERYONE wants to ask about them. If you have time that is quite helpful as people realise there is an alternative to shoes and many unshod horse people who don't have the internet learn there is something that may work for them. It is unfortunate they look just like the coloured plastic sandalls we all used to wear to the beach as kids.
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Post by welly on Mar 5, 2009 14:59:24 GMT 1
I haven't used either of these, having always used the Easyboots, Epic and Grip. I did consider changing, but when I enquired I was told by the supplier to stay with the Easyboots if they fitted my horse's feet well, which they do.
I LOVE these for road work, I feel I can trot and it is not causing concussion. However, even the Grips are limited when it comes to off-road work in typical English mud.
Boots are OK on grass if it is dry, but slippy on wet grass and sticky mud, although I have never lost a boot even going through the deepest mud.
While I am taking part in competitions during the summer I plan to have my horse shod in the summer months and then remove the shoes for the winter and ride in hoof boots if and when I want, and to do the initial fittening work on the roads in hoof boots.
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Post by Emma R on Mar 5, 2009 21:11:52 GMT 1
I've tried Boas and they've rubbed pretty much every horse I've tried them on. I've used Boas (with gaiters) on my very thin skinned horse and they've never rubbed so it just shows how individual booting can be. I'd like some renegades...I don't think they ended up doing sparkly purple in the end ...but they are very expensive, especially considering how rarely Saff actually needs boots!
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dingbat
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Post by dingbat on Mar 5, 2009 21:32:45 GMT 1
i did want to try the cavallos but i found them too wide. They were ok length wise but i found they sized funny. However - if they could make more sensible sizes and maybe a wider range of sizes i think they'd be better. As with all boots, the more they suit the hoof shape, the better they stay put.
Personally i've also tried boas (dont like and apply pressure to the hoof behind the dial), G2s (found them clumpy and i felt unsafe on the horse, i also hated putting them on) and bares (with upbuckles). I love my bares with upbuckles and can get them on/off no problem and have had no problems when riding in them. They fit my horses feet pretty neatly.
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