Tightening up the bungees
If you are having a hard time getting your Bare adjusted (see video) it might help to take the gaiter off and then start first with getting the adjustment done. This is a photo showing the gaiter removed on one side. Now it is a lot easier to line up the holes how you want on each side and then pop the gaiter back down and do the remaining screws.
I find it is a lot easier to ride in the Bares one or two times before making any adjustments. The boots come on the middle setting on each side, so if you have difficulty getting them on when they are brand new, you might consider loosening them up to the last hole. Once used, they can slowly be tightened up to allow for a more perfect fit. Click on photo to enlarge.
I'm glad the Bares have been working for Cheif, but mine have been a nightmare.My Beau is in a size 2 with comfort pads, and he has torn 2 gaiters, and they rub his feet somehow, when we go down hills, he tries to buck, and HAS NEVER OFFERED TO DO SO, out of boots, and when I lead him down he still tosses his head till we get to the bottom. his hoof care practitioner said its alot of pressure on the heels, we have altered the pads and used duct tape, and other crazy things, I hate to admit to on here, My hoof care guy said Beau would be a great boot tester, because he has destroyed 3 already.. I have had them professionally fitted, and I have re-tightened them,and tried to properly adjust them. they just hurt him . What can I do?Please help.he cant be ridden w/o the boots, and I want him to transition, but WITHOUT discomfort.Sincerely, Karen
Posted by: Karen Sanford | June 27, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Hi Karen -- can you email me with Beau's hoof measurements -- hoof width, length, toe length and if you can his angles? If you have any photos that might help too. Thanks, Karen
Posted by: Karen | June 28, 2006 at 12:50 PM
My friend Walter and I live in the Rocky Mountains and our trails are often "Rocky". We have torn 5 gaiters and have lost one easyboot bare on the last 3 trails. Walters horse has 4 boots, mine has only 2 boots on the hind feet. It is always the hind boot/gaiter which gives us trouble. Boot/Foot sizes are regarding to the description correct. The hoses pull of the boots and than break the soft neopren. Any ideas?
PS: Easy Care Inc. was friendly enough to replace a few gaitors, but that cannot be the solution.
Posted by: Gerd | September 06, 2006 at 08:15 PM
Hi Gerd -- You may want to double check your sizing. Check the tips page for the Bares on the EasyCare website: http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_bare/easybare_tips.aspx The template can help you figure out if the sizing is correct. I always try to get the smallest size boot on that I can. Good luck! Karen
Posted by: Karen | September 12, 2006 at 10:28 PM
I am trying to find out where on the hoof should the top of the bare boot be. My horse is in a size 2 at the last setting on the bungee. There seems to be rubbing on the hooves on each side where the bungee screws are. It is not laying on his coronary band but just beneath it. It seems the hoofwall is being rubbed a lot too.
Could the boots be too tight though I am able to get them on? Also, should they be lower on the hoof?
Jackie
Posted by: Jackie Thurston | October 23, 2006 at 06:31 PM
Hi Jackie: I think your boots are okay as long as they don't go up above the hairline. If it's really close, measure and see if you might be able to use a 1 instead of a 2.
As far as the screws rubbing -- I have had that happen to my horses on occasion too. I use duct tape and put strips of it on the inside of that area in the boot. I usually do two or three layers of tape and that solves the problem. It also helps the boot slide on and off easier too.
Hope that helps! Karen
Posted by: Karen | October 24, 2006 at 08:43 PM
I have tried to use my Boa boots on my jumper but they make his pasterns bleed when he breaks over. I'm very frustrated and looking into the easyboot epic or bare instead. I ride hard on trails and jump courses and I don't want his hoof "protection" injuring him.
Has anyone else had this problem? My aunt spoke of similar issues with her performance barefoot horses too...
Posted by: Hannah | August 19, 2007 at 03:39 PM
Hi Hannah - I'm sorry to hear of the problems you've had with the Boas. Other riders have done well using Old Mac's G2 (see this link: http://www.easycareinc.com/education/articles/eventing_barefoot.aspx
I've done a lot of endurance riding with regular Easyboots and also with Epics and Bares and have had good luck.
Here is a link to more information on how to choose a boot for your horse: http://www.easycareinc.com/education/whatboot.aspx
Hope that helps and if you have any other questions let me know. Good luck! Karen
Posted by: Karen | August 21, 2007 at 02:15 PM
Ive got some new Easyboot Bares for my horse, one fits fine on the tightest setting but the other one has become a bit loose (on the tightest setting) ... is there anyway to make them fit a bit better. Ive ridden in them so I cant take them back now.
Posted by: Maryanne | January 20, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Hi Maryanne: First, make sure that both sides are on the tightest setting possible.
There are a couple of things that you could try to get a better fit on the boots around the top edge of the boot.
1) You could put a smaller size bungee on
2) You could wrap the hoof with vetwrap
3) You could apply something as a filler around that area of the boot - plumbers putty, or sticky back foam insulation (in a strip, or cut to fit).
If the boots fit well otherwise, then I would first try option #3 and see if that works. Here is a post with photos showing the plumbers putty: http://easycareinc.typepad.com/karen/2006/09/using_plumbers_.html
Good luck! Karen
Posted by: Karen | January 22, 2008 at 01:07 PM