VIPER MODEL SIZING (metric)

When sizing for Vipers, allow a minimum of 5mm of clearance between the hoof measurement and boot measurement, and up to 10mm of clearance.

Click here to go to a conversion calculator to convert from inches to mm, and vice versa.

Go to this page for more information about high heels: Hoof Conformation

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 as said previously, the Renegade 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 the instructions on this page Boot Fitting Modifications

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 in the field with hoof nippers and finished smooth with a small rotary grinder like a Dremel Tool.

Cutback Option: (CLASSIC MODEL ONLY) 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 in-factory, and has two options offered:
– The Standard Cutback trims 1/4″ off the boot length
– The Maximum Cutback trims 3/8″ off the boot length
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More Detailed Information

Understanding Hoof Length and the Rearmost Point of Weight Bearing

It’s easy to see and understand hoof width but hoof length is tricky because we must be able to determine the rearmost point of weight bearing at the heels. In the photos above I sprayed a light coat of black lacquer paint onto the bottom after which I drew the smooth side of my rasp across the heels to remove the paint and some hoof wall. Doing this served to provide a clean flat surface at the heels with the paint improving contrast. As you can clearly see, the rearmost point of weight bearing is at the colored line drawn across the back of the heels. If you have trouble projecting an imaginary line onto your tape measure, you can apply a piece of masking tape or duct tape onto the hoof with the back edge of the tape aligned with the heel.

Another way to look at this is to imagine for a moment you applied wet paint to the bottom of your horses hoof and then walked him across a smooth hard surface.  When looking at the hoof prints left behind by the wet paint, the rearmost point of weight bearing would correspond with the rearmost point of the print but not counting any print left by the frog. I’m not recommending you measure the hooves with wet paint, but this example may help you visualize what I’m talking about.

In addition we need to discuss heel shape as most heels won’t be nice and flat with crisp edges as depicted in the photos above. Somewhat rounded off heels are more typical, especially for those horses landing heel first which is natural. Some trimmers will also intentionally round the heels to help promote a heel first landing and to help mimic the rounded heels found in the wild hoof. I’m an advocate of intentionally rounding the heels which I call Reverse Breakover.

Fortunately we do not need to drive ourselves crazy figuring out the exact hoof length. Simply make your best guess as to where the rearmost point of weight bearing would be if the heel were flat and not rounded and this will usually be close enough.

To see larger views of the photos above click here Large Views