I'm thinking in terms of a glue on. I'm not totally opposed to my Vipers, but I have encountered a boot failure on a CMO, and LD, and my last 50, and my last training ride. I've had some ongoing issues with cables fraying on nearly new boots. We also cannot canter a hard uphill without popping clear out of a hind. This latter problem I'm pretty sure is related to how snug Journey's boots are on fit. If I purchase any new shells I'm going to inquire about sizing up just a tiny bit. We don't have to force the boot on, but it is snug, no play forwards or backwards. From some of my reading I've seen that this can be a cause of boot failure and that the design is such that the boot needs a little play in it to function properly. Two weeks into a growth cycle and she cannot fit them, they are too tight to get on the hoof. So I'm looking at resizing, and if that does not work...gluing on some brand or other shell. Does someone who represents Renegade come to the OD and glue boots? Of course I'd want to try this at home first, but would want to know they were well-set if I get to OD.
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The weigh in this Monday was encouraging I was back below the 150 mark so at least the scale is headed back the right direction.
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I've been thinking about my gear for the goal and I'm satisfied with most of it. My saddle is too heavy but seems to fit us both alright. I'll definitely need a couple of new wool saddle pads, mine are serviceable for the short haul, but that's about it. I prefer wool backs, so that needs to go into the bucket list. Four new hoof boots, and new straps on a few old ones for emergency spares. I'll want to take plenty of boots...so any thing that looks frayed can be replaced with another boot, anything that blows out can be quickly replaced on trail. Happy with our bit, reins, bit hangers, her halter bridle needs completely replaced. It is okay for hacking but the hole where it fastens is looking like it has seen better days. I personally need replacement tights. I don't like low rise, flow rise, or anything below the belly button old lady that I am, and my favorite old charcoal grey tights that I've used for six years bit it the evening of the horse riding calamity a few weeks back. They caught on a projecting branch and ripped a huge hole in the leg. I have two other pairs, but one pair gives me rubs, the fabric doesn't slip/slide, the other pair (my zebras) just scare the bejeebers out of people *LOL* On a hot ride I can see where I might want a couple pair of riding tights so I can get out of the sweaty sticky things about halfway in. Otherwise I believe we are good to go on our gear.
You'd think this was a ride that was two weeks off rather than almost two years, but that is how excited I am about the very idea of going!
Dover is having a sale on their Klassic Rise (higher rise) Kerrits tights right now. Good deal:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.doversaddlery.com/kerrits-klassic-riding-tights/p/X1-5374/
Yes, if the shells are already snug at two weeks into a trim, your best bet will be going up a bit in the width. Too tight of shells will definitely cause the boots to come off, moreso than boots that are even too loose. If cables are fraying that fast, you may also need to check your tightness adjustment -- if the tension straps are ratcheted down too tight, that's one of the more common causes of cables fraying.
ReplyDeleteTim Worden is one of our east coast dealers. He's based out of North Carolina, but is also an endurance rider, and I know he attended OD this year, and I'm pretty sure he does so on a regular basis. He is very experienced with working with both the strap-on and glue-on varieties of boots. I know he's on Facebook and can likely be contacted that way.