Boot Camp, EasyCare, Inc. Dealer Blog

EasyCare Dealer, High Performance Hooves Clinic Is Huge Success!

Jay and Q DeHart, EasyCare dealers and operators of High Performance Hooves out of Stevensville, Montana held their first natural hoof care clinic this past month in Corvallis.  Despite the snow and ice, Q reported that the clinic was a huge success, with 75 people attending, some from as far as Southern California!  When Jay spoke on the topic of booting there were lots of questions and interest.  Dawn Merrill (Team Easyboot Member) came along to help and manned the table with the boots and pads.  Dawn addressed many questions on booting in regards to the advancements in booting and hoof boots; the ease of putting them on as well as the many benefits they offer the horse. For those of you interested Jay and Q will be holding additional clinics in the Whitefish/Kalispell, MT area the last weekend in May.  Contact them or the Backcountry Horsemen of Kalispell for more information.  They will also be giving a brief Barefoot Hoof Care chat and demo at the 2008 Horse Expo, at the Sapphire Event Center in Corvallis, MT on Saturday, April 12th.  See their website:  www.sapphireeventcenter.com for more info on the Horse Expo.

EasyCare Dealer Jay DeHart Gets Press In Montana

Photo by MICHAEL GALLACHER/Missoulian

It's taken years of training to prepare Jay DeHart for his career in natural barefoot hoof care for horses. DeHart believes that horses can survive quite well without horseshoes.

STEVENSVILLE - A couple of years back, Jay DeHart decided he wanted to learn how to shoe his own horses.  So he signed up for classes with a certified farrier in Bozeman and began to study the craft.
The more he learned, the less sense it all made.  DeHart's 20 years as a mechanical engineer probably had something to do with that. He knew a thing or two about physics, energy conversion and fluid dynamics. And as he learned how nature had intended a horse's hoof to expand and contract to absorb its weight as it moved across the landscape, and that movement was vital for its circulatory system, the idea of confining the hoof within a metal shoe seemed strange. A horse's hooves are meant to act as shock absorbers. Putting a constrictive metal shoe around the hoof is about the same as putting a board in the springs of car, DeHart said. The hooves can't absorb that force when they're shod, especially with a rider, he said. Mechanically, it just didn't make any sense to me. I thought there had to be another way. DeHart's search led him to a Missoula bookstore where he discovered a book by natural hoof/horse care guru Jaime Jackson. After years of studying wild horse hooves - which, of course, aren't shod - Jackson developed techniques to mimic what he'd seen. Now, horse lovers like DeHart and his wife, Q, are embracing the idea of letting their mounts go barefoot.
The couple's three horses - an Arab, a draft/quarter horse cross and a miniature - are all without shoes these days. Q takes her Arab on long rides into the rocky Bitterroot Mountains without even the protective rubber boots that are recommended for the newly barefoot mounts.  My horse goes everywhere barefoot,Q said and her feet look beautiful. The more riding you do, the tougher they get. It takes some time for a horse's hooves to readjust to their shoeless environment but that doesn't mean horse owners have to give up their trail rides or hunting trips. While a horse's hoof is getting stronger through regular trimmings, diet and exercise, its owner can outfit it with rubber boots when it ventures out of the pasture. The shoes cost about $100 a pair. The DeHarts have found that front hooves are usually the ones that need the most protection.
It does take some time and patience to make the switch, Q said. Horse owners can also help their mount's hooves adjust with a diet low on sugar (put that sweet feed away), making sure they get plenty of exercise, and adding about 4 inches of pea gravel around the water trough. The gravel stimulates the hooves and the horse's feet respond.  Pea gravel works wonders, DeHart said. DeHart is currently working through the intensive two-year process to become a certified natural hoof practitioner through Jackson's America Association of Natural Hoof Care. I've almost completed all my training, he said.  Working with mentors and peers, I've learned how to trim a horse's hooves to resemble the wear patterns of wild mustangs.
Through mostly word of mouth, DeHart has been finding work around Montana. Every horse presents a different challenge. DeHart's first visit includes a mustang trim and sometimes some advice on how a horse owner might be able to improve the living conditions of their steeds.
A horse's hooves mirror what's going on above, he said.  Trimming is only about 10 percent of this. I often can offer some information that will help steer owners in the right direction for improving their horse's environment. The cost for keeping a horse barefoot is comparable to shoeing, he said. While every horse is different in how often they'll need to be trimmed, DeHart said the average is about once every five weeks. Right now, he charges $40 a trim.
Horse owners who want to learn more about natural hoof care might want to circle March 29 on their calendar. The DeHarts will host a workshop that day at the Bitterroot Valley's Sapphire Event Center in Corvallis. The cost for admission is $30 in advance, $40 at the door. We're planning on offering a lot of information to people, he said.  Hopefully people will get interested. For us, it's all about having healthy horses. That helps everyone in the long run. 

EasyCare Dealers And Hoof Care Professionals Hold Clinic

Performing dissections is an excellent way to learn hoof form and function.  Being able to "see" inside enables both Hoof Care Professionals and horse owners to trim and boot their horses more effectively.  EasyCare Dealers and Hoof Care Professionals Laura Florence of Holistic Hoof Care; Kennett Square, PA and Carrie Christiansen of Browns Mills, NJ presented a hands on anatomy and dissection workshop this past December.  All proceeds from the clinic went to benefit HorsePath a sanctuary and rehabilitation for horses with hoof related ailments.  Carrie reported a fantastic turnout and sent these pictures of the event.     

Dr. Robert Bowker to be Hosted by Oregon School Of Natural Hoof Care

Dr. Robert Bowker, VMD, PHD

Professor of Anatomy College of Veterinary Medicine Michigan State

January 26-27, 2008

cost $250.00

Jacksonville, Oregon

Dr. Bowker's studies have revolutionized the understanding and developing anatomy of the hoof.  He is the most referred to expert on the cellular structures that make up the hoof.  His lectures are sought out by anyone wanting to better understand the makeup of the hoof, circulatory aspects, the laminae structures, how the hoof grows, heals and works. 

Contact information: Cheryl Henderson, 541-899-1535 www.abchoofcare.com

abchoofcare@msn.com 

Photo courtsey of Oregon School of Natural Hoof Care

EasyCare Reps Back From Pete Ramey Clinic

EasyCare Dealer Reps Cathie Hook and Debbie Schwiebert attended Pete Ramey's clinic in Valley Center, CA, November 10 & 11.  The event was hosted by Joe and Kathleen Camp.  Joe is the creator of Benji and The Soul of the Horse.  He also has an awesome Paddock Paradise!  There was a tremendous turnout as this was Pete's last clinic before taking a few years off from the road. It was great to see so many trimmers and veterinarians there soaking it all up!  Debbie and Cathie were there showcasing EasyCare's products and answering questions.  Don't fret if you haven't been able to catch one of Pete's clinics because now you can have him right in your own living room with his new DVD series Under the Horse.  This is an excellent resource for professionals as well as horse owners doing their own trims.

Here are some pictures from the event.

Pete Ramey's "Under The Horse" DVD Series Released!

Well today is the BIG DAY and many of us have been waiting impatiently to get our hooves on these DVDs! Pete and Ivy Ramey have worked hard to produce a 16 hour hoof rehabilitation series due to be released today September 21st. These DVDs are designed to teach equine professionals and horse owners new ways to recognize and treat hoof pathology. It focuses on the ability to identify and recognize a truly healthy equine foot and demonstrates steps taken to drive a pathological hoof towards a healthier state. The combination of contemporary veterinary research with practical, real-world field work presented will enable viewers to arrive at sound, valuable protocols that can be used immediately to benefit the horse. 

Click below to watch a sneak preview.  Check it out and order your copy today!

                              

Oregon School of Natural Hoof Care

EasyCare Dealer Rep. Debbie Schwiebert had the privilege of attending the Oregon School of Natural Hoof Care this past August.   Debbie handles the Hoof Care Professional's Dealer Accounts at EasyCare and was very excited to attend the school and receive some first hand trimming experience.  Cheryl Henderson who runs the school along with Laura Vaughan have dedicated themselves to helping others understand the hoof.  Working together with other hoof care professionals in Oregon, they provide a community service to the equine through monthly free clinics.  Realizing the hoof is the most neglected, misunderstood and owner shunned responsibility of horse care the school aims to change this though education.  For more information on the Oregon School of Natural Hoof Care, contact Cheryl Henderson at 541-899-1535 or www.abchoofcare.com .  

EasyCare Sponsors Scholarship for The Equine Sciences Academy

EasyCare, Inc. and the Equine Sciences Academy are pleased to announce that EasyCare will be offering a total of eight first-term scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to the Equine Sciences Academy.  Four scholarships will be awarded to the Fall 2007 class, and four to the Spring 2008 class. 

Each scholarship has a $1,000 value and will be applied toward first term tuition.  EasyCare will reimburse the student for the scholarship amount once they have successfully completed their first year studies.

Applicants must first apply to and be accepted into the Academy.  Once accepted, students may apply to EasyCare.  Recipients of the first-term scholarships may also reapply for a second scholarship in the spring. In the event that a student receives a second scholarship, the award would be applied to the second term tuition. 

As the field of natural hoof care continues to grow, so will the demand for qualified professionals. EasyCare is excited to be able to assist those looking to make natural hoof care a career. We are currently working on expanding this new scholarship program to include additional programs and organizations that educate and train qualified applicants in the natural care of horse’s hooves.

For more information and application requirements, please contact the Equine Sciences Academy at: http://www.equinesciencesacademy.com.
 

Information about the Academy:

The purpose of the Equine Sciences Academy is to educate students in all key aspects of the care and custody of domesticated equines based on the study of the life of the wild horse.   

A university format includes comprehensive studies on all required coursework, practical instruction, rigorous testing, and practical exams.  The goal of the Equine Sciences Academy is to be the most comprehensive and professional training program in natural horse and hoof care available.

The program will basically follow a distance learning university format, with the exception of required practicums.  The program is designed as a two year course, but actual completion time may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, scheduling, ability to pass all required elements before progressing, prior experience etc.

Fun day with Mr. Walter Zettl

I recently had the privilege to attend a Walter Zettl clinic held here in Tucson.  The riders and horses were wonderful to watch and Mr. Zettl was amazing! I have studied much of his material so it was truly a gift to meet him in person.  Another highlight was to see this in the crowd!  Yes, a barefoot and EasyCare enthusiast was there with her daughter who was riding her horse, barefoot of course, spreading the word by example.  Talk about inspiring!

AANHCP Gears up for Clinics

The American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practitioners; the AANHCP is gearing up for a first time event in Warrenton, Missouri, April 20th - 24th.  If you are considering a career in hoof care or just want to know more about the natural hoof care movement; this is a great way to jump-start your education.  Many of EasyCare's hoof care dealers are certified through the AANHCP which endorses EasyCare hoof boots.