I’ve been getting a lot of queries lately from folks interested in starting to use Renegades or already using one model and curious about the other. My two favorite things about Renegades, and what ultimately led me to becoming a rep, are the ease of use and the forgiving nature of the boots. Let’s be clear: these are still a temporary hoof application, and as such you should be putting the most balanced, well cared for hoof possible into it. That said, both models of Renegades should slide on and seat easily, and retention is based on the flexing movement of the pastern and captivator rather than relying on pure snugness, so there is some accommodation in trim schedule and fit.

Chief rocking Rennys, 2012 Chamberlain Creek, credit Baylor/Gore

The release of the Viper model also means that there’s a host of new sizes for the not-quite-whole Original sized hooves, as well as more options for hoof and heel bulb conformation. To be sure, I can and do use both models on the same horse at times; this is not intended to be exclusionary information, but to paint the picture on some differences in the models and where you may want to look if you’re really fine tuning optimal performance fit.

Here is a factory provided side by side comparison of the two models.

The difference details break down as follows:

Original/Classic: Whole sizes: 0, 1, etc

Viper:   *Length x width millimeter sizing

OG/classic: *Oval or “hind hoof” profile            Viper:              * ROUND profile, streamlined, wide quarters 

OG/Classic: *generous undefined captivators    Viper: *shaped caps to cup defined heel bulbs

OG/classic: *original tread                                    Viper: *slightly more aggressive tread

To further illustrate, here’s a couple of my personal hoof photos that I thought demonstrated the model shapes nicely, sticking with Original on the left and Viper on the right.

round, defined heel bulb Arab hoof

upright, oval,  Morgan hoof

Again remember that there is crossover, I’m not suggesting one shaped hoof couldn’t potentially pull off the other model, but since we’re chasing optimum fit generally, matching boot shape to closest hoof and heel bulb conformation just makes sense to me and the results are there for some clients with issues in one model that solved them when switched over to the other  model– or by swapping captivators. Because yes, there is yet another step in the troubleshooting optimal fit train–the captivators! The generous Original cap or the defined Viper cap can  be applied to either shaped boot shell depending on your needs, providing us with yet one more tool in the box.

I am happy to help with hoof and boot inquiries wherever you are located, please be willing and able to provide clear photos and contact:  auroragrohman@yahoo.com

Scrappy in Rennys, Nevada Derby, credit Baylor/Gore