Boot Camp, EasyCare, Inc. Dealer Blog

EasyCare's Updated 2008 Catalog has a new look

EasyCare's latest 2008 catalog has a new cover! EasyCare offers the best selection of hoof boots in the industry but our line of products doesn't end there! EasyCare also has a fantastic selection of other items for the trail horse and rider.  We offer everything from E-Z ride stirrups (On sale now!) to comfy sheepskin saddle covers to our unique stowaway saddle packs.  Don't wait to take advantage of this months stirrup sale and check out all the great gear we have to offer.  Now is the time to stock up on all the things your customers will be needing and wanting to enjoy a summer of riding!

EasyCare Product Images

Updating your website?  Printing a new catalog?  If you need any EasyCare images for your website or for print ads you can find them on our website!  Just click here!   

Please feel free to contact us with any questions!

EasyCare Continues "Fill Your Truck" Program!

EasyCare knows the vital role hoof care professionals play in natural hoof care.  We want to make it easy for you the professional, to provide the best for your clients.  As a professional, having the right products, (boots, pads and accessories) is essential when out on a call.  EasyCare is offering an exclusive program designed just for Hoof Care Professionals that immediately puts our top selling boots in you hands. Don't miss out on this fantastic program, contact Debbie Schwiebert at 800-447-8836 X 2224 or dschwiebert@easycareinc.com for more information and "Fill Your Truck" TODAY!

EasyCare's Grip and Easyboot Handle Vermont Snow And Ice With Ease

EasyCare Dealer, Jenny Bertrum owner of Cheyrock Tack in Benson, VT hasn't let a little snow slow her down.  Jenny recently sent this great picture of her mare Mirabella to us with a brief testimony.

Here is a photo of my eight-year old 1/2 Trakehner mare wearing her Easyboots with studs in the front and Grips with studs in the back.  We have done 12-mile drives, at about 8 mph, every weekend for the last three weeks with no problems with twisting or coming off without the gaiters.  I am thrilled, to say the least.  I know the picture isn't calendar worthy, but thought you might like it anyway.

Jenny

EasyCare Comfort Pads Testimonial

The comfort pads you sent for me to try on my ringbone horse "Beene" are working wonderfully!! He is sound on all surfaces. Ed and I will certainly tell our "BenTheyre" trail riding readership that we like the pads. The article due next (for Jan 08) is going to talk about our observations on the trend to natural hoof care... utilizing the innovations in hoof protection with increasing trend of travel trail riding hoof care needs. I purchased a "hoofjack", tools, and 3 sets of Bares to test for "real use" for the article. Our farm site is www.bentheyre.com. Readers really like to go to our site if we have some little extra info for them to find when they visit. We are thinking maybe a listing of the items we liked best...

Thanks again for the pads!

Vanessa Waters

The benefits of using EasyCare Comfort Pads with EasyCare Hoof Boots

It's great to hear from end users when they have found ways to use our products in ways that can help their horses.  Below is a comment from a rider who is in the EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest (currently placing in the top five) who just recently attended the recent Pete Ramey clinic in California.  Comfort Pads are a great accessory item to sell with our EasyCare hoof boots!  If you'd like more information on them or would like to place an order, please contact your sales rep. 

An important point I got from the clinic is to use my boots more. I have really only been using the boots for competitions and going barefoot the rest of the time at home and on training rides. I did notice that sometimes my horse seemed to be a little foot sore and a little short strided but I just kind of put it aside thinking it was better to "toughen" up her feet and I would never get her hoofs hard and develop thicker soles by using boots.

I found out I was wrong. What would happen is that my horse would start to walk toe first. Not super obvious but I could tell. Pete implies that as soon as your horse starts walking toe first you start going backward in hoof development. He said I would actually develop a stronger, tougher, better developed hoof using boots and having a properly loaded hoof with a properly working hoof mechanism then gimping along barefoot..

So, that's the main thing I am going to do...to use boots more around home. Also you have to use the foam pads. That I did already and I think they are great.

Lauren

Dome Pads Will Be Added to EasyCare's Product Line!

For the past few months EasyCare customers and dealers have been testing the Dome Pads, and providing us with great feedback on them.  The pads have been very well received! 

Good news! The New Dome Pads will soon be part of EasyCare's Comfort Pad product line! The pads will be available to our dealers very soon!  Watch for further details!

Boa Horse Boot Dial Cap Application

We get quite a few calls here at EasyCare regarding lost Boa Caps!  If the cap is applied correctly, it will not come off!  Click here for detailed information on how to do it right and feel free to pass this information on to your sales people and customers!  As always, contact us if you have any questions.

EasyUp Buckle Tips

With the new EasyUp Buckle out on the market, you may have customers questioning how to install them, do they work good in mud?, etc.  Here is a link that has useful tips, videos and much more!  Can't find the information you are looking for, give us a call! 

2007 Images Update!

With the addition of the Easy Up Buckle and the change to the Cast Buckle system you may need to update your images.  All our images , new and old, can be found in the Dealer Area of our Dealer's Corner on the EasyCare website.  Need sizing charts and layout information for your website?  Click here!  

New Online Catalog

EasyCare has launched a new interactive online catalog check it out, its pretty cool.

Upgrading to the EasyUp Buckles

With the addition of the EasyUp Cable/Buckle system I am sure you will have customers wanting to upgrade their boots.  Here are some tips you will want to give them, and questions you may need to ask them:

If they purchased boots made in 2005 or newer, they can upgrade their boots.  When they look inside the boot, is there a dog bone washer between the two screws (that hold the buckle in place)?  When the 2005 Easyboots and Epics first came out there were some boots manufactured that only had a recessed area for the screws and did not include a dog bone washer.  This is not a problem, they can still upgrade.   When they install the EasyUp Cable/Buckle they would not install the dog bone washer. 

If their boots have buckles that are riveted on (there may be some Epics with riveted buckles too), they may have an older model boot and the new EasyUp system WILL NOT WORK.  The boots do not have the recessed area for the screws.

FILL YOUR TRUCK PROGRAM

 

THE FILL YOUR TRUCK PROGRAM HAS LAUNCHED!!! IF YOU ARE A HOOF CARE PRACTITIONER WATCH YOUR EMAIL OR PHONE THE OFFICE AND SPEAK TO DEBBIE at dschwiebert@easycareinc.com or 800-447-8836 x 2224 FOR ALL THE DETAILS.   

How NOT to install Horse Boot Studs!!

These are the instructions that come with our Stud Kits:

EasyCare Hoof Boot Stud Installation:
Mark desired position of studs on sole of boot. Drill holes into sole of boot with 5/16" drill bit. Insert stud into boot from the inside. Screw the nut on the stud from the
outside. Use pliers to fasten firmly. Two studs at the heel and two at the toe will give good traction. Need more help? Check out our website at ww.easycareinc.com for hoof boot stud installation videos.

As you can see by the picture, our instructions may need to be re-written!  We received this boot from a customer who complained that their studs were falling out of the boot and the studs were way to short.....If you have had customers call with the same problem, you may want to ask them about how they installed them!

March Specials!

New Comfort Pad System is Here!

"A True Breakthrough In Healing"

Learn why renowned barefoot practitioner Pete Ramey calls hoof boots and pads "A True Breakthrough In Healing" in this interesting and educational article.

In March only, you can get this new revolutionary system for 15% off.

Special must be mentioned at time of order. Offer expires March 31, 2007. Limit 10 systems per dealer.

Get a Grip!

15% off Easyboot Grips

The Easyboot Grip is essentially the Easyboot Epic with an aggressive sole and traction tread pattern. The Easyboot Grip is ideal for the barefoot horse ridden in soft muddy conditions or wet grass and snow surfaces. The aggressive traction pattern provides better grip on these surfaces but should never be used on dry surfaces or hard surfaces. The Grip should be used in soft soil conditions or soft wet grass and snow surfaces only! Although the Easyboot Grip provides increased traction in slippery conditions, riding horses in wet, muddy and soft conditions is dangerous and should be done at your own risk. Available in sizes 0, 1, 2 and 3 only. Sold individually.

Special must be mentioned at time of order. Offer expires March 31, 2007.  Limit 10 Grips per dealer.

Heelstraps and Tapers

We now have several options with heelstraps on our boots which, of course, initiate customer questions.  The Epics, Grips and Bares now come standard with the new comfort heelstrap, which is lower at the heel than our previous versions.  Epics, Grips and Bares have the option of removing the heelstraps and replacing them with tapers.  Below are some frequently asked questions so that you can help your customers out with options:

1.  Why would I want to remove the heelstrap? Some horses have very low heels and experience chafing.   It is wise to measure your horse's heel and then measure the strap to make sure the strap won't be touching soft tissue when it is in the proper position.  Even with the new, lower comfort strap a horse's heel may be too low for the strap. If you think that the strap may touch soft tissue it is best to cut the heelstrap down first (you can cut it down to just two ribs if needed) before completely removing it.  If you are worried about a rough edge wrap the heelstrap with duct tape or vet wrap. Some experience boot users also feel that their horse's foot is slightly too large for one size boot, but the next size up is too big.  If you remove the strap it adds about 1/8" in length.  Remember that the boots should fit TIGHT.  Removing the heelstrap may make the boot too loose for your horse's foot. 

2.  If I remove the heelstrap, why do I need to replace it with a taper?  The front of the heelstrap is part of the configuration that holds the fastening system in place and because of the length of the screws that hold the heelstrap and gaiter in place, you cannot simply take the heelstrap out and leave it at that.  Tapers act as "place holders" for the screws and keep the screws from sticking out on the inside of the boot. 

3.  What is the advantage of leaving the heelstrap in?   The strap adds security to the boot by keeping the heel from slipping and keeps the toe pushed to the front of the boot where it should be.  Removing the strap adds extra stress to the back of the boot and may cause he heel and the gaiter to stretch.  You may notice this when you go to change out the gaiter and your new gaiter is hard to install because the heel has stretched out.  We have also noticed that gaiters are less likely to rip if the strap is left in. 

4.  If my horse has a low heel, what other options are there to consider so that the boot won't rub my horse?  You can insert a 12 mm thick comfort pad OR a hard, flat wedge pad that fits inside the boot.  This will raise the entire foot up in the boot.  Pads will take up about a half-size.  Depending on your horse's conformation, you can try this instead of cutting down the heelstrap. 

5.  Can you use tapers or the comfort strap with an Easyboot?  No. The Easyboot can only be used with the standard strap with cleats.  The cleats help secure the boot.  If you are worried about the cleats digging in to your horse's hoof you can cover them with duct tape or wrap your horse's foot with duct tape or vet wrap.  For more information please visit Karen Chaton's blog or go to Easyboot Tips on our website. 

6.  Can I buy original straps with cleats for my Easyboots, Epics or Bares?  Yes, we will continue to have the original straps available in all sizes.

AERC

Karen, Cathie, Debbie, Chief and I had a very busy day at the AERC show yesterday.  If you are here in Reno come see us, we are in booth 327, 329 and 331.  Karen will be doing boot fitting clinics throughout the day. 

                              

Make Your Customers Believe!

Clinton Anderson believes in EasyCare boots, click here to see why.

Greetings from the Permafrost!

This was sent to us the other day by one of our hoof care practitioners, Dawn Willoughby who is braving the cold out in Delaware.

Dawn wrote, "I tried riding with just the Bares and then the Bares with studs over the weekend. I actually had to lead my horse home with just the Bares, since our one inch of snow turned into an ice field everywhere.  HOWEVER; with the studs we had only one little slip during our one hour ride!  My friend who was exercising fox hunters said the borium on their shoes was even slipping.  I am a huge fan of the studs now!  Thanks!  I couldn't ride in the winter without them.

Dawn also continued saying, "I am spreading the "Bowker Story" on why our horses need to be booted for all types of riding... which in my practice is mostly trail riding.  I will need to rent a storage space for my Boot Store soon!  I have put my own horse back in boots, all around this time.  Sure enough he is floating above the ground just as he does barefooted during turnout!"

Thanks again Dawn for the feedback.  If you have some helpful information you would like to share please feel free to email me at dschwiebert@easycareinc.com.

Thanks and I'll see ya on the trail!

Debbie

EasyUp Buckle Winners

In the Dealer news letter we sent out on February 2 we offered a pair of our new EasyUp Buckles to the first 10 dealers who responded.  The buckles will be sent out to the winners within the next few weeks.  Thanks for your participation and enjoy your new buckles.  Here are the winners...

Jeannean at Pride Treeless Saddles

Kristen at Horse Lovers Outlet & The Distance Depot

Henry & Donna at Griffin's Tack                                             

Ann at Natural Hoof                                                                                 

Rick Gentry                                                                                                 

Katie Parker

Leslie at High Desert Hoof Care                  

Katrina at Deer Creek Saddlery                           

Paula at Hoofbootshop

Lucy at The Saddlery Shop Ltd

Melanie Spurr

We are aware this is 11 winners, the final two emails came in at approximately the same time.

Blog Specials!

Be sure to be on the lookout for upcoming posts on Boot Camp for blog only specials!  We will be adding them at random and the only way to find out about them is keep checking back.

The Grip is now Available!

About the Easyboot Grip 

Unrivaled Traction 

The Easyboot Grip is essentially the Easyboot Epic with an aggressive sole and traction tread pattern. The Easyboot Grip is ideal for the barefoot horse ridden in soft muddy conditions or wet grass and snow surfaces. The aggressive traction pattern provides better grip on these surfaces but should never be used on dry surfaces or hard surfaces. The Grip should be used in soft soil conditions or soft wet grass and snow surfaces only! Although the Easyboot Grip provides increased traction in slippery conditions, riding horses in wet, muddy and soft conditions is dangerous and should be done at your own risk.

Available in sizes 0, 1, 2 and 3 only. Sold individually

Demand is high, be sure to get your order in ASAP!

EasyFoam-It isn't that easy!

Easyfoam is requested by many customers who want to ensure that their hoof boots stay on during a ride.  Easyfoam is only meant for Easyboots, and cannot be used with Epics, Old Mac's, Boas, Bares or Soakers because of the materials that are in these other boots. 

Easyfoam is a two-part liquid kit, that, when mixed together foams up and hardens to keep Easyboots on.  It seals out all dirt and debris, protects the hoof and acts as an adhesive.  It is only meant to be used in extreme conditions and/or on lengthy rides.  Examples would be endurance rides of 50 miles or more, multi-day pack trips/trail rides.  Easyfoam is not meant to be an every day solution to keeping easyboots on.  There is a special technique to getting it on and once Easyfoam is applied, it will take patience and time to get your boots off!

Please call us at EasyCare if you are considering carrying EasyFoam in your store.  Some customers are getting confused between our comfort pads and Easyfoam.  Please let then know that they are completely different materials, used for completely different purposes.  Easyfoam is an adhesive, Comfort pads are inserts used for horses who need more cushioning.

Pastern Wraps and Boa Gaiters

EasyCare started including pastern wraps with every pair of Old Mac's boots, and gaiters with every pair of Boas at the beginning of '06.  We included these without raising dealer pricing because we feel strongly that these are an important element of the boots' break-in period.  In addition, the success rate of the boots is much higher when they are used with horses that are thinned skinned or have a tendency to chafe.  Granted, there are many horses that do fine without them. Our advice, however, is to encourage their use and to tell people that the boots, just like new shoes for you, have a break-in period.  Once the boots soften, they may not be necessary at all, but customers need to check their horses regularly for any signs of rubbing and chafe marks, especially if they are going through sand, mud or other abrasive debris. 

There are many customers who use Boa Gaiters with Old Mac's boots and find them easier to put on than the pastern wraps.

Interchangeable Backstraps

I've had several questions on about backstaps (heel straps) lately, so I would like to clarify which strap comes with each boot and why. 

First, there are two types of back straps that fit the Easyboots, Epics and Bares. 

They are: 1) the standard back stap and 2) the new "comfort stap".  The standard backstrap has cleats, or teeth, and the comfort strap has a smooth plate where the cleats would normally go.  Both the Easyboot and the Easyboot Epic come with the standard backstap.  Easyboots come with a cleat cover that is easily removed, while the Epics come with a permanent cleat cover.

Bares come with a comfort strap installed.  This boot cannot be ridden in without a gaiter, and because the gaiter is there, the cleats are not needed to keep the boot on.   

There is good news for Epic users who have been pounding their cleats down--the straps are interchangeable.  Comfort straps are available for the Epics, and standard backstraps are available for the Bares.