I don’t usually like to explain something to others until I know for sure that it works for me. That’s why it has taken me so long to get this up. I have glued pads into Renegades previously, and have now done enough miles and AERC competition in them to know that it worked. I’m putting this up to help others that have asked me questions about it. Click on photos to enlarge.
First, get together all of the items that you are going to need: Boots, pads, scissors (if you need to trim the pads to fit), pen, wire brush, alcohol, cotton balls, contact cement and a paint brush of some sort. Before you start, read the instructions on the can of contact cement and be sure to follow those instructions!
Now it is time to fit your pads into the boots. I like using EasyCare dome shaped comfort pads. They last the longest. I start with a larger size; that way when they are trimmed down there is less ‘dome’ to them. Trim toe to toe – the toe of the pad goes on the bottom of the toe of the boot, then trace around the outside of the pad with a pen. Trim with scissors. You want to have a snug fit, so be careful not to trim too small. The boots used in these photos are size 2 Renegade hoof boots in the color burgundy blitz and the pads are size large EasyCare dome pads.
Next, take the wire brush and rough up the bottoms of the pads. The bottom is the flat part. Now rough up the bottom inside of the boot. You can also use sand paper. When that is done, use the alcohol to clean everything up. Allow to dry.
Stir up the contact cement well. Now apply to each surface that you want to glue – the bottom of the pad, and the bottom inside of the boot. Be sure to read the instructions on the can of contact cement – especially the part that tells you to wait 15 to 20 minutes for it to dry before applying the pieces that you are gluing together.
Practice this next part ahead of time, prior to using the glue to make sure you can do it! After you’ve waited 15 to 20 minutes for the glue to dry, go ahead and put the pads inside the boots. Fold the pad up into your hand, kind of like a horseshoe shape or an upside down taco. Place the toe of the pad in towards the toe of the boot and press down. Be sure to get it in all of the way – if it sticks together inbetween you’ll have to pull it out and reapply the glue and start over.
Now that the pad is inserted into the boot, apply pressure on the pad. I pull the heel captivator up and stand in the boot with my foot and rock back and forth. Again, be sure to read the instructions on the can of contact cement.
Allow everything to dry for several days before use and then when you use your boots for the first time be sure to carefully break the pads and boots in – check frequently while riding to make sure everything is staying in place. I always need to put quite a bit of riding on a new set of pads with Chief, or else his boots will turn. Doesn’t matter what boots – it’s because he has very round feet, and moves the way he does. After the pads get broken in, the boots can be adjusted snugger and things stay in place perfectly well. So remember that and whatever you do, DON’T glue pads into new boots and use them for the first time on an endurance ride!!
Misc. info: If your horse is flat footed then a flat pad would be a better choice. If your pads are wearing unevenly, that is a sign similar to having the tires on your car wear unevenly. Something needs aligning somewhere – use it as a tool to help you further fine tune your horses trim.
Love those last two sentences. This was a really good informative post. Thank you!
One caveat – you may need to use the next larger size boots to accomodate the pads. I made the mistake of going to all the trouble to glue pads in my previously used, well fitted Renagade boots, and when I tried to put my horses hoof in the boot – it wouldn’t fit! The pads “lift up” the hoof just enough to alter the way the boot fits.
Very informative! I haven’t decided yet whether I wanted to order the burgundy blitz or dragon fire red Renegades–our dealer told me the blitz’s were more pink-y, but they don’t look like it in the picture. What’s your opinion?
Thanks!
Thanks, Karen!
I was anxiously awaiting your post on this. I’ll give it a try as soon as I can. My horse did fine in his Renegades on the Fort Valley 30 (Virginia rocks and all!). However, I did use new boots on my round footed horse and one of them was turned sideways when I checked at about 8 miles out. I tightened it up and it was fine. The velcro straps on the hind boots did not hold. When I came into midpoint, they were flopping to the sides like a kid with untied shoelaces. I replaced them with nylon dog collars and all was well for the rest of the ride.
Sarita
Lauren – if the boots were too snug, put them on a hind foot (assuming you glued pads in the front boots?) — and break them in that way, or if it’s possible on a smaller foot on another horse. Once the pads are broken in they should not affect the sizing. I did that with Chief actually – as I started out using 2′s on his fronts and 1′s on the hinds. Now I’ve got him in 1′s (with pads) on the fronts and 0′s on the hinds. I have so far only glued pads into the front boots.
Hi Elly- I think the burgundy color is really nice. It’s not real pink, though I have red also for Chief and that is a really nice color. What color is your horse and your tack colors? I got the burgundy for Bo because he is a bay, and I’ve got black and burgundy tack for him.
Hi Sarita – now that your boots have more use they should stay put. I fixed the velcro issue by modifying my straps and will do a post showing how I did that when I modify the straps on Bo’s new burgundy boots. It is really easy to do, and eliminates the need for anything additional like zip ties. I haven’t yet tried the buckle straps but that does sound like a good idea, I’ve seen others use that with good results.
Karen-
My horse is bay, and our tack color is red (not burgundy). I’m always worried about overdoing it on the red, though, and the burgundy seemed like a much more toned down red color. You can see tons of pictures of him here: http://ownedbyazoo.blogspot.com. I’m glad to hear they’re not pink, as I’ve been worried it would clash with all my red!
Elly – get RED! It’ll look gorgeous! If you’d like, I can post photos of Chief and Bo tomorrow in their boots – Chief has red, and Bo has burgundy. I think the red looks really good, especially on a grey/white horse. Karen
Yeah, I’m leaning that way. He’s not the grey at the top of the page, though. That’s the loaner horse I had for the summer! My pony is the one further down. I still am leaning towards the bright red with him though.
Karen,
Part of the reason I like the pads is because they mold exactly to the hoof. If I put the boot and pad on the hind hoof, it will mold to a hind pattern instead of the front hoof. I think I may put the pad in an easyboot first and get it squished down. I used Renagades last weekend in some deep sand. The velcro strap on one particular boot would not stay closed. I’m going to put buckles on them. I got a bunch of “puppy” collars for my new puppies and I think the small nylon collars will work perfect.
Let me know how the buckles hold upon the collars.
After I get these straps modified on Bo’s boots and see how it works I can modify yours for you, if you can go without them for a week or so. Was it just the lower strap that came undone?
I like figuring out how to get things to work. Can’t wait for DVE!
just tried it myself with some neoprene wetsuit glue and it worked like a charm!! my boy is trtting on clouds now! never had him feel so light! awsome tip! thank you sooo much!