Are any of your customers experiencing rubbing issues with the EasyGaiters? If so here are a few helpful ideas to pass on:
Here is an interesting video on BNET by Malcolm Gladwell on how to make better business decisions. Funny how choices sometimes cloud our judgment. Check it out.
EasyCare's hoof boots were recently aired on ABC News in a featured clip about new developments in hoof protection. EasyCare Dealer and hoof care practitoner, Bonnie Hellevig of San Francisco, California helped us out as she demonstrated and talked briefly about hoof boots and their advantages. Thanks Bonnie for helping us spread the word about EasyCare's products and natural hoof care!
This is a great quote from Karen Scholl, an accomplished horsewoman who teaches women about leadership, trust and confidence through horsemanship. Karen spent ten years as a corporate trainer for Intel, has taught Parelli Natural Horsemanship for years (she was president for six years), and now travels extensively sharing her knowledge.
From her website:
"What are the qualities of a true leader? They're NOT controlling, demanding, micro-managing, manipulative, coercive, bribing, wimpy, or even dominant. Horses are naturally attracted humans possessing the true qualities of leadership; those who have an idea and are skilled at communicating that idea to others in a way that invites a willingness to participate rather than being forced to comply."
To see Karen's travel schedule, click here.
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 is back out on the road this week and will be displaying at the Equine Affaire in Columbus Ohio, April 10-13. This year's event has a great line up of clinicians, shows and vendors. If you are in the area check it out and stop by our booth #715 and say hello to Cathie Hook and Shari Murray. They will have a great display of EasyCare's hoof boots along with many of our other products. Cathie and Shari look forward to meeting you all and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We would love to see you in Ohio but if you can't make it, check out where we are headed next!
EasyCare, Inc. 30-day money back guarantee policy will allow customers
to receive their money back if they are not fully satisfied with any EasyCare, Inc. product. The new improved guarantee is one of the strongest in the industry, making EasyCare hoof boot products risk-free for new customers to try.
By offering a "no questions asked" 30-day money back guarantee EasyCare gains a competitive advantage within the hoof boot industry. The new EasyCare money back guarantee takes effect January 1, 2008 and applies to all new orders.
"Our goal is to gain consumer confidence by making our products completely risk free," explained Brian Mueller, Director of Sales for EasyCare. "Our products have been proven on thousands of different horses and over every type of terrain. We believe we are the best at what we do based on our years of experience, knowledge and customer results. EasyCare has always been committed to providing the best service in our industry. We are so sure you and your horse will love our products, we decided to upgrade our return policy. We know that once you try our products you will continue using them."
EasyCare 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
We back all of our products with a money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with our product for any reason, EasyCare will gladly refund your purchase price (excluding shipping and handling) within 30 days of purchase. To qualify all products must be returned to place of purchase and have a dated receipt. Offer not valid for EasyCare bargain bin, factory seconds or custom boot purchases.
The following information was sent with our 2008 authorized dealer packets:
Continuous website updates help you and your customer’s size, fit, use and repair hoof boots. We hope that you will take advantage of this useful information:
1. Video clips that give instructions on boot fitting and repair which will help you address customer questions with confidence.
2. Informative articles about keeping a barefoot horse.
3. Testimonials about what our hoof boots have done.
4. Blogs that provide helpful tips and the latest updates. The Boot Camp blog is set up just for dealers, make sure you visit often for useful tips and great specials.
5. EasyCare product images and descriptions for catalogs, ads and websites that can be downloaded from the Dealer’s Corner…and more!
6. Dealer Search is now located on our home page (If you are not listed, please contact us and we will get you added ASAP)
Here is a great article by Yvonne Welz of The Horse's Hoof. Click here to read the entire article. If you don't already have a subscription it is a great resource for you and your customers. Make sure you are always up to date with the latest happenings in the barefoot world.
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EasyCare realizes that most everyone at some point finds themselves alone on the trail with their horse. Having some knowledge in self defense while horseback could save your life. Hoof Care Practitioner, Cindy Sullivan of Clayton, GA sent in this eye opening clip from retired mounted police officer and self defense trainer Scot Hansen.
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.
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.
According to AOL, the average American checks e-mail at least five times per day. Wouldn't you like to be part of a relationship-based e-mail strategy that leads to sales? If an e-mail campaign is done correctly, it can lead to as much as a 5 to 10 percent sales rate. If you are looking to achieve that level of success, one of the best sources is email-marketing-reports.com. The following in an excerpt from their website:
Why should you do an e-mail marketing campaign?
According to research conducted by the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing generated an Return on Investment (ROI) of $51.58 for every dollar spent on it in 2006. The expected figure for 2007 is $48.56, and the prediction for 2008 is $45.65. As such, it outperforms all the other direct marketing channels examined, such as print catalogs. According to research conducted by the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing generated an ROI of $51.58 for every dollar spent on it in 2006. The expected figure for 2007 is $48.56, and the prediction for 2008 is $45.65. As such, it outperforms all the other direct marketing channels examined, such as print catalogs.
In a December 2007 survey of Internet marketers by MarketingSherpa, email to house lists beat paid ads in terms of ROI, with 42% describing email as having "great ROI - outperforms other tactics." Only SEO and behavioral targeting (which you can also do with email) scored higher. In a December 2007 survey of Internet marketers by MarketingSherpa, email to house lists beat paid ads in terms of ROI, with 42% describing email as having "great ROI - outperforms other tactics." Only SEO and behavioral targeting (which you can also do with email) scored higher
A 2007 survey of over 1,000 advertisers by Outsell Inc. put email as the second-most effective online marketing tool after the company's own website.
Marketers responding to a July 2007 global survey by McKinsey put email second only to paid keywords in terms of online marketing efficiency.
Sound good? Visit our blog next Monday for tips on how to put together your own campaign.
EasyCare's Marketing Manager, Karen Chaton and Hoof Care Practitioner Dealer Rep., Debbie Schwiebert attended the Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices, (AANHCP) symposium in Reno, Nevada, this past February 24th-26th. The symposium titled "Symposium for the Humane and Natural Care of the Horse" was open to horse owners and professionals for an extraordinary three day forum featuring Jaime Jackson and a lineup of experts sharing new and cutting-edge information vital to a horse's well being. Debbie and Karen were on hand to discuss EasyCare's line of hoof boots, Comfort Pad options and dealer programs available to hoof care providers. Karen was included in the list of guest speakers talking about her adventures in endurance and keeping competitive endurance horses barefoot and the value hoof boots have played in keeping her horses sound for over 7,000 miles! To see some great pictures from the event put to music visit EasyCare HCP dealer, Nancy Naill Frishkorn's website. Enjoy!
As I am sure you are aware, the EasyCare website has a ton of useful information. Some of the most helpful information are our educational videos. We have shot a number of videos covering everything from fitting to a movement demonstration. Check out the video below, it shows how to fit our most popular boot, the Easyboot Epic.
Check out this video filmed by Western Horseman at the 2008 WESA show. Karen Chaton and Brian Mueller discuss some exciting product changes and the New Easyboot Edge.
American Horse Council Press Release
Contact: Sarah A. Chase
schase@horsecouncil.org
AHC Provides Global And U.S. Horse Population Resources
WASHINGTON, DC . The American Horse Council (AHC) now provides a link to a published report on the Global Horse Population, compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOSTAT). A link to the report can be found on the Features section of the AHC’s web site: www.horsecouncil.org/features.html
According to the 2006 report, there are 58,372,106 horses in the world. The United States, by far, reports the highest total number of horses with an approximate 9,500,000. This new data provided by FAOSTAT is strikingly similar to the AHC’s own independent study, which reported a U.S. horse population of 9,223,000 in 2005.
Countries, with horse population totals over one million included: China (7,402,450); Mexico (6,260,000); Brazil (5,787,249); Argentina (3,655,000); Columbia (2,533,621); Mongolia (2,029,100); Ethiopia (1,655,383); Russian Federation (1,319,358); and Kazakhstan (1,163,500). Guam (20) and Grenada (30) had the lowest population totals. Two countries, Rwanda and Saint Helena, reported a zero horse population.
In a published document from the AHC, entitled “The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States,” the AHC provides detailed analysis on the total population of U.S. horses by state. Texas reports the largest horse population, with an estimated 978,822. Other leading states include: California (698,345); Florida (500,124); Oklahoma (326,134); Kentucky (320,173); Ohio (306,898); and Missouri (281,255). The state with the fewest horses is Rhode Island (3,509), followed by the District of Columbia, which reports a fluctuating total of around 33.
The AHC’s report further demonstrates that the horse industry has a direct impact of $39 billion on the U.S. economy and an overall impact of $102 billion, which factors in indirect and induced spending. Each of the primary use segments of the industry, recreational horse use being the largest segment with 3.9 million horses in this classification, creates an immense impact on the overall economy. Additionally, the horse industry supports 1.4 million equivalent full-time jobs.
For more resources, or to find out how to order a copy of the AHC’s report, “The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States,” including comprehensive state-by-state breakout information for fifteen states, please visit the American Horse Council online (www.horsecouncil.org) or call 202-296-4031.
Please direct all related press, related-media and educational inquiries to Sarah Chase, Director of Communications: schase@horsecouncil.org or 202-296-4031 ext. 211
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.
The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.
EasyCare was in Birmingham, England at Beta International earlier this week. We had a very successful show supporting existing UK distributors, New Equine Wear and Battle, Hayward and Bower. We also had the opportunity to meet several potential new dealers and distributors in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Natural hoof care and the use of hoof boots is taking off all over the world, EasyCare plans on giving horses and horse owners the best Edge in alternative hoof care.
EasyCare is pleased to announce it's sponsorship of a workshop with Dr. Robert Bowker, DVM, of Michigan State University. (To find out more about Dr. Bowker please click here for a description of his work from The Horse's Hoof web site) This workshop is being held in conjunction with Mike and Chris Ware of Equethy in Australia. It is for professional hoof care providers and veterinarians who deal in barefoot rehabilitation and is scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2008.
“Attending are professional trimmers some who are traveling from as far away as Western Australia, Qld and the Northern Territory" says Chris Ware. "It is fully booked already and we are looking forward to having a wonderful weekend with Bob who is keen to present his latest research and explain how it relates to hoof care."
As part of the weekend's lectures, Andrew Bowe ("The Barefoot Blacksmith") will also talk on his work with seriously foundered horses and Mike Ware will talk on the many aspects of using the EasyCare range of hoof boots for the rehabilitation of hooves with serious issues and present the new range of boots.
We feel it will also be an amazing opportunity for professional trimmers from all over Australia to discuss this ever expanding new career. All the proceeds from this workshop are going to Dr. Bowker for his new research.
On the following Friday Professor Bowker is scheduled to teach the first module of the brand new diploma in Equine Podio-therapy course commencing in Melbourne at the National College of Traditional Medicine.
The Equine Podio-therapy course is the reason Dr. Bowker is in Australia. This is the first time this vast field of equine care has been delivered as a diploma-level course and it will create a whole new career path for those who wish to work in the field of full time professional hoof care dealing with serious hoof problems. This is a ground breaking course and at present no other course has been offered which deals with natural hoof care as a specialty therapy. To have Dr. Bowker teaching the first module is wonderful for the first intake of students.
Other lecturers are Andrew Bowe, a Master Farrier of 20 years experience who runs Australia's leading rehabilitation center for foundered horses, Dr. Alison McIntosh a veterinarian and equine chiropractor and barefoot trimmer who has long championed the cause of barefoot rehabilitation for serious hoof issues, Wayne Anderson, also a Master Farrier, barefoot trimmer, but more recently he has followed his passion as a natural horse educator and trained with Buck Brannerman in the States and Mike Ware of Easycare Down under a professional trimmer who will also bring to the course his business skills from his "last" life!
"Dr. Bowker's role in this course is largely due to the generosity of EasyCare's Garrett Ford who has kindly offered a grant towards Dr. Bowker’s non profit research," says Chris Ware. "This has greatly assisted us in bringing him here and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Easycare for their ongoing support, generosity and vision.”
EasyCare Dealer Reps, Cathie Hook and Debbie Schwiebert had the privilege of recently meeting Joe Camp at a Pete Ramey clinic he hosted last November in Valley Center, CA. While there they learned that he was writing a wonderful new book. Now Joe Camp is one step closer to the release of this new book titled, "The Soul of a Horse". The book is slated for release in April but you can secure your copy now and receive an autographed personally inscribed bookplate as well as one-third off the listed price! Joe is a strong proponent of Natural Hoof Care and has lots of terrific information on his website. Check it out and reserve your copy today!
I found this interesting video on BNET where Dr. Kerry Sulkowicz, founder of The Boswell Group, explains the differences between "A" and "B" players of a sales team. Check it out, and find out what type of sales player you are.
Sharon O'Brien-Lykins of HorseDesigns.Com in Penn Valley, California created this fun video of her trimmer, Michelle Smith, of Nevada City, California.... Here is what Sharon had to say, "She (Michelle) trims about 200 horses around here and is an excellent trimmer. I used to trim my own horses but got too busy and I'm so happy to have heard of her! She recommends the EasyCare products and Hoofjack, to her clients, too."
Hoof Care Practitioner Patrice Sager of Lost City, WV sent these clips in from You Tube and they really do say it all. Educating your clients is key to selling hoof boots. EasyCare has an excellent website for educating yourself, clients and sales staff in order that they may truly understand the significance of the barefoot lifestyle; how and why EasyCare hoof boots and Comfort Pads are used and why they should play a part in every barefoot horse's life.
EasyCare has a very broad advertising campaign to promote our products and dealers. If you are not on our dealer search you may be missing out on potential business. Here are just a few magazines where you will find our advertisements...
Take some time to check and see if you are listed on the dealer search, it may just help you sell more boots. Remember, these are just a few magazines where you will find EasyCare ads, don't miss an easy opportunity to have a customer locate your store.
The Black Heritage Riders are going strong as Miles Dean and Sankofa along with Reggie Gough make their way on a journey riding horseback from New York to LA! Miles Dean, executive director of the New Jersey-based non-profit organization set out on a 6,000-mile trek from New York to California in September. The 58-year old elementary school teacher is on a mission to educate people about African-American contributions and achievements. Dean tries to average about 30 miles each day he is on the road and he hopes to reach California by February, which is Black History Month. Hoof Care Practitioner Carrie Christiansen of Browns Mills, NJ provided Miles horses with a good trim, boots and education on booting. Dean's horse sports Old Mac G2's in the front and Easyboot Epics behind, all with Comfort Pads. Check them out in action and click here to track their progress!
As most dealers know, the most important factor when buying boots is sizing! We are always trying to make sizing as easy as possible, we have very helpful information on our website. Our latest tool is our hoof boot size calculator, this cool new calculator makes it even easier for your customers to make sure their horses are properly fitted! Make sure to visit easycareinc.com often for more helpful information.
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