The Dyson Among Hoof Boots

With all the snow and now ice, going out was a little tricky and therefore it was time for hoof boot maintenance.

I do still think that the Renegades Hoof Boot is a fantastic boot. What I like most about it is that it does not rub anywhere.

The only minor downside is perhaps that it is a little tricky to make them fit perfectly so that they don't come off. We have been on rides through a quarry on very uneven ground and the entire ride the boots held on.

But on other occasions, for example in deep and heavy mud, the boots have come off every time. Therefore I am still experimenting a little with the fitting.  'Mr F' has a fairly unusual hoof size, with them being a little wider than long (looking at size charts, is seems to be the other way round in most cases). This particular pair of Renegade Hoof Boots I managed to buy 2nd hand and I was very lucky that they are a cut back version.

The boot originally would have been too long, but the next size down would have been to narrow. Now with these being the largest available size and cut back, they are fine length wise but just a little too wide, which on uneven terrain will make him slipp a little inside the boot. And I am sure quite like us, wearing boots that are too big while moving over difficult terrain makes us feel unsteady because we slip around inside the boot. It must be the same for 'Mr F'. And I was now trying to work on a solution.

Prior to purchase, I had been reading up as much info as I could find. There are huge groups of eventers that use these boots without issues. Some complained that stones would get into the boots but I have not had this problem. Only very tiny pieces may get in every now and then but they are more sand like and only around the hoof wall, not on the underneath. 

I am impressed by the fact that every single piece of the boot is replaceable. You can take it completely appart - just like a Dyson and I have taken appart many a Dyson in the past for repairs! Besides: I like dismantleing and assembling 'things' and to learn how something 'works'.

I needed new wires on one boot and the replacement parts had arrived today. 

The boots have seen a lot of road, mud and stone and I am glad I took them appart - the path of the wires were coated with small dirt particles and the wire wasn't moving smoothly around the pulley buttons. The cable loops around each side of the heel captivator where blocked with dirt as well.

I removed the rubber gel insole, it had only been glued on in the center and had started to come off, making it uncomfortable for 'Mr F'. I have glued small pieces of hard plastic to the inside sides of the boots to make them a little narrower (they are about 5mm too wide). Hopefully this helps for an even better fit.

Every loose part on the above picture can be replaced, which is fantastic! This makes the fairly steep price of the boot - £90.00 per boot when new - worth it. I got our pair for £120.00 second hand and already cut-back and they had hardly been used.

The quality of the hoof shell is excellent. I am hoping to find a pair for his back feet, too.

They do look quite futuristic and remind me a little of 'Robocop' ...