Proper Hoof Conformation for Renegade® Boots
The Renegade® Hoof Boot was specifically designed for hooves which are maintained with natural heel heights.
Natural heel height is often deemed to be “low” when compared to what is the norm for traditionally modern hoof care practice. An examples of a heel within the range of “natural” is shown below.
Heels that are allowed to grow too high or trimmed in a high fashion are not desirable for optimal boot use and performance.
Note the green arrow displaying the bulge in the sidewall of the boot, caused by the pressure of the high heels.
The lower heel has taken the excess pressure off the sidewalls.
The high-heeled hoof form often results in less than optimal boot performance.
If your horse exhibits high heels, you can expect problems with boot retention, increased wear and tear on the cables, and increased tread wear at the toe as a result of forward-shifted weight-bearing and a lack of a proper heel first landing.
It should also be noted that the high-heeled hoof form and its often-associated steep pastern angles greatly reduces the length of stride and diminishes the leg column’s ability to properly suspend the weight of the horse and absorb shock, which may lead to a shorter useful competitive life of the horse.
If your horse has high heels, what should you do?
The two hooves shown in the above examples are actually the very same hoof, with the photos taken right before and right after a natural trim with considerable heel reduction. Through proper trimming practices, most high-heeled horses can achieve a lower and more natural hoof form. Sometimes the horse may have only one high heel (usually the right fore), either an example of “high-low syndrome” or a “club foot”. These horses will usually require the horse owner to perform interim heel maintenance in order to keep the heel height in check between regular trims. Consult with your hoof care professional for further advice.