I was wanting to get feedback from fellow trail riders about which trail boot is best out there. Old Macs, Boa, Cavello simple boot? My daughters gelding has great feet, but I would like a boot he could wear when we camp somewhere that is rocky. He has had shoes in the past, but really doesn't need them and we only ride in really rocky area 2-3 times a year. Any input would be great - how well do they hold up and does water drain out if you cross creeks? Thanks!
Posted 2008-05-15 12:24 PM (#84009 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Bucksport, Maine
I've used Old Macs, original Easy Boots, and Easy Boot Bares. If I were seriously looking at hoof boots right now, I'd go with Renegades. They look MUCH easier to put on (EBs are a nightmare) and the testing among endurance riders has been good. Yes, they're pricey, but I call it the cost of convenience.
Posted 2008-05-15 12:45 PM (#84011 - in reply to #84009) Subject: RE: trail boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
Thanks for the information. I have used original easy boots in the past and I agree they can be a nightmare to adjust and put on. Anything easy to apply that stays on is what I am looking for. I am more concerned about quality and what's good for her horse -if it is was something she could put on herself that would be even better. Thanks.
Posted 2008-05-18 4:36 PM (#84159 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Member
Posts: 29 Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
I use easyboot epics, and have had great luck out of them. I used them all last year and some this year. They are not that hard to put on, at least for me but Ive never tried any others. They stay on in mud, water, heavy rocks. they dont seem to drain well though. after crossing water it sounds like a soggy sneaker squish squish...
Posted 2008-05-18 6:34 PM (#84164 - in reply to #84011) Subject: RE: trail boots
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I have used the EasyBoot Epics They stayed on in some pretty rough riding. My problem with them was I broke a lot of cables and buckles in the rough stuff we rode in.
As I destroyed boots, I replaced the broken boots with the newer Easyboot BARES. I've had great luck with them.
A trick to help put them on. I push them on as far as I can and then set the horse's foot down. Making sure he puts his weight on it. Pick the foot up and finish putting the boot on. The 400-500 lbs of horse steeping down is way pressure than I can push on the boot. It seems to help spread the boot and push the toe of the hoof into the end of the boot.
Posted 2008-05-18 8:30 PM (#84170 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
Thanks for the information. I have decided to go with the Renegades after some research mainly because the water will drain out of them easily when we cross creeks and our next trip will have lots of creek crossings. Wishing for the best. I will post later how they hold up. They are a little more expensive, but they seem to be worth the price if they will hold up well.
Posted 2008-05-18 10:23 PM (#84184 - in reply to #84170) Subject: RE: trail boots
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Good luck, let us know how they turn out.
I've never had problems with the water in my Easyboots. It's a tight enough fit that not water gets in and it seems to slop out before it does any harm.
Posted 2008-05-19 9:38 AM (#84209 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Easy Care Epics. Easy to use. Go to the Easy Care site, there is lots of info there to help you decide which boot is best for your horse. I like the Bares....but they were very hard for me to get onto my horse's hoof.
Posted 2008-05-19 7:02 PM (#84247 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Thanks, I know I live in area that is very easy to get to some beautiful areas to ride very easily.
Both of those pictures are in the South Western Corner of Yellowstone National Park. Four hours, (Maybe 5 hours with the last little bit of dirt road to the trailhead) from my home. We make a trip up there a couple of times a summer.
This is country closer to home. This is my daughter and her boyfriend on a trail about 30 minutes from the house
Posted 2008-05-20 8:27 AM (#84312 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Member
Posts: 29 Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
I went and checked out the renegades and was curious dows anyone know how they would do on wet slab rock? They look to be that real hard plastic/rubber. I use the easy boots and they do fairly well on the wet rocks and have not had any trouble with any other terrain.
I have had the same problem with breaking the easyboot buckle never broke a cable yet but have a couple spares just in case. I thought about drilling the holes in them to let water out, but like was said it sloshes out pretty quick.
Posted 2008-05-21 1:08 AM (#84367 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I'd worry about voiding any warranty if you drilled holes. Check that out before you drill. Also, if you drill holes to let water out, wouldn't it let it in too? It's late, so maybe I'm slow in the brain.
Posted 2008-05-24 8:32 PM (#84612 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I use the Easy Boot Epics. I've not had a problem with water in them but when we used them at the BSF we had several broken buckles and a couple of broken cables, although the cables were on older boots and may have been a bit frayed to begin with. The newest Epics are very easy to change out with just a screw driver. If you buy these make sure they were manufactured fairly recently. I just added the easy up buckles to some of mine but I haven't had the need to use them just yet, so I don't know how well they will hold up. Even with broken buckles, I didn't lose one boot.
Posted 2008-05-24 9:22 PM (#84615 - in reply to #84008) Subject: RE: trail boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
I received my Renegades yesterday and so far they look very impressive. Lots of flex around the toe to make them easier to apply. The heels bulbs are exposed so you won't getting problems with rubbing and draining with creeks and mud shouldn't be an issue. I plan to use them on a trip to the North GA mountains next weekend. I will post how they held up. One more good thing - they come with extra velcro keepers. Good to have spare parts on hand before you need them.
Posted 2008-05-27 10:33 PM (#84785 - in reply to #84615) Subject: RE: trail boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
Feedback from my fellow endurance riders is that the Renegades are awesome. I understand they are for barefoot horses, and won't work on a shod horse. They also come in some fabulous colors - :) Hard to lose a bright orange or neon purple boot in the forest!
trail boots
It's late, so maybe I'm slow in the brain.