Renegade Hoof Boots should not be fitted tightly! The Heel Captivator is the main means of boot retention and not a tight fitting boot shell. A Renegade which fits the hoof perfectly would of course be preferred but… somewhat loosely fitting Renegades are just as likely to be successful in most all situations. If the boots fit 'perfectly' based on measurements right after a trim, they may get too tight as the hoof grows longer between trimming cycles.

Without a doubt, experience has shown that a boot which fits loose is more stable than a boot which fits too tight. If the boot shell does not fit easily onto the hoof, or if you cannot seat the toe into the boot with a tap from the palm or your hand, the boots are too tight.

Understand that as hooves grow longer they also get wider so if the width of your horses hoof is exactly the same as a particular boot size, you should consider the trimming interval of your horse and how long they grow between trims and decide whether or not you should go up one boot size to allow for said growth.

Measure the hoof width and compare to the chart above. Select the boot size which is closest to the hoof width without being more narrow.

The example hoof in the photo above measures 4-1/2″ wide. The size 0 boot is 4-9/16″ wide which is 1/16″ wider than the hoof. The size 00 boot is 4-3/16″ wide which is 5/16″ more narrow than the hoof. As Renegades should not be fitted tightly, the size 0 boot is the right boot for this hoof width.

When in doubt, size larger. If the hoof measures the same width as the boot width, go to the next size up.

Now compare the measured hoof length to that of the boot length in the chart.

The hoof in the example photos above measures 4-1/2″ long, which is 1/2″ shorter than the size 0 Classic boot. This means about 1/2″ of boot base will be sticking out past the rearmost point of weight bearing. For most types of riding, the extra 1/2″ of boot base length is not a problem but as we offer our Cutback Option (Classic model only), which shortens the boot base about 1/4″ (6.5mm) we should add this free option for the example hoof, or look at a Viper model.

If I were going to ride this horse fast, or in deep mud, or upon highly technical terrain, or otherwise ride in a very high performance manner, I might select a Viper hoof boot or ask for the Max Cutback option which shortens the boot base by about 3/8″ (9.5mm), but…..

... toe shape can affect actual boot length requirements as a hoof with a large toe bevel or over accentuated mustang roll will not seat all the way forward in the boot and thusly a hoof which measures 4-1/2″ long may not actually have 1/2″ of boot base sticking out past the rearmost point of weight bearing.

Many boot users groom the hooves with a rasp each time before installing boots which helps to maintain a good fit and promotes a healthy hoof.

Also, high heeled and upright hooves (not natural hoof form) have a steeper toe angle which is usually steeper than the toe angle of the boot and therefore the toe of the hoof will not seat all the way forward which also results in the heel sitting closer to the back of the boot base than it would otherwise.

If you find the boot size selected in step 1 is too short, go up one numerical boot size to gain additional length. This of course will result in some extra boot width but Renegade hoof boots need not be fitted tightly, and for most situations some extra width is OK. If however your situation requires a better fit for width, the boot can be custom fitted using liquid 'shims'.

If you will be riding in deep mud, crossing streams with rocks and boulders or riding fast, it becomes more important to match boot length to hoof length. Horses known to over reach, forge or interfere should also be more closely matched for boot length. While we offer our Cutback options that covers most situations, the boot can also be custom trimmed with hoof nippers and smoothed with a small rotary grinder like a Dremel Tool.

The Cutback Option trims away a certain amount of excess boot length if the hoof length is shorter than the stock boot length. This modification is done on Classic boots only, in-factory, and there are two options:

• The Standard Cutback trims 1/4″ off the boot length
• The Maximum Cutback trims 3/8″ off the boot length.