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Renegade Hoof Boot Repair Day on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail

Published June 3, 2024

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

Mules Brick and Cracker are taking two days off from our mule ramble at Nancy and Bill Sluy’s CCC ranch. The mules have enjoyed lots of grain, deep grass and two well-earned rest days. While I was here, I had a chance to go over my Renegade hoof boots with new friends Hanna and Lisa.

Long Rider Bernie Harberts with Hanna Bartnick and Lisa doing Renegade hoof boot maintenance at CCC ranch on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — Hoof boot party: Hanna Bartnick, Lisa and I doing some routine hoof boot maintenance. The beauty of hoof boots is that most brands can be repaired. The Renegades you see on the table have traveled over 3,000 miles with me. Yes, I’ve replaced soles, straps and cables along the way, but any piece of equipment is going to need repairing after heavy use. Hanna plans to ride her mustangs on a long journey in Colorado this summer. All the best on your ramble, Hanna! You can follow Hanna at https://www.facebook.com/hanna.bartnick/friends.

A mule-sized thanks to Nancy and Bill and everyone who’s helped the mules and me on our mule ramble.

My Experience With Hoof Boots

I have traveled over 10,000 long distance miles with hoof boots on my mules and horses. That’s over 1,000 nights on the road with no support team or chase vehicle.

For more on long distance horse and mule voyaging in hoof boots, check out The Hoof Boot Report I wrote about traveling from North Carolina to Virginia and back with my wife Julia. The three mules we rode wore three different brands of hoof boots (Renegades, Cavallos and Easy Boots) which gave us a real feel how they perform in a variety of adverse conditions.

Read more posts from this ramble: Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — A Mule Ramble.

A few years earlier, Julia and I rode a good stretch of the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail together. That became its own adventure. Julia documented that ramble on her blog Saddle Under the Stars and you can read those posts here:

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