Easyboot Glue On With Gaiter

I had a hunch that if we could get the Easyboot Glue-On shell right it would not only work as a glue on but would also work very well with a gaiter.  As we worked on the glue-on molds we made sure to add features that would allow the shell to accept a gaiter.  I had a chance to test my original assumption today.

I fitted both rear feet of one of my horses and set out on a very tough ride.  The shells are held on by the gaiter and a snug fit only.  No glue, no buckles, no internal hardware.  The trail climbs over 2,000 feet in 7 miles, has several boggy areas and a bunch of downed timber.  It's a tough ride on both horse and rider but I believe it's one of the best boot testing trails around.  I believe the steep trails put the most torque and stress on boots. 

Here are a couple photos before departing.

I continued to check on the boots as we ascended the steep trail.  It's so steep in places you need to give horses a minute or two to blow and cool down along the way.  Boots continued to look good.  No twisting, no turning, no problems at all.  As I became more confident I increased the pace in the flatter areas and went through the center of the bogs rather than around them.  The boots continued to look and perform perfectly.

Here are a couple photos along the way.

Not only was my hunch correct but the boots performed better than I could have hoped.  The Easyboot Glue-On should be a huge success and will now give people the option to use with a gaiter when they don't want to spend the time to prep and glue.  In addition the lack of buckles eliminates any potential cable and buckle concerns.   

Here are a couple photos after we returned back to the barn.

 

Comments

[Jenny Moncur]

Hi Garrett,
these look really good!
I am very interested in these boots as an option for both using at home and glued on at rides.

Any idea how long the boots stay in place when glued?
Would they be suitable for multi-day rides?
time frame for release?
Thanks
Jenny Moncur

[martha]

These look great.
I am a Team member and would love to try these out!
Without having any hardware they might solve my problem of periople rubbing from the tapers on my horse's hinds. It happened so bad back in May that the right hind even bled alittle. And now both hinds have a very noticable dents in the hoof walls.
I think with the Edges being a lower profile, they may also work for us. I have trimmed the tapers and am using alot of duct tape to prevent anymore rubbing. But I sure wish you would hurry up and make some of these cool new invention available. You have been teasing us for months now with all the blogs on these new products.

Martha Nicholas
Buckley,Wash

[Garrett Ford]

Jenny- The bond between boot and hoof stays solid for about 7-10 days. After 7 days the glue bond starts to break down. The gaiter option is nice and eliminates glue for training rides.

Release date should be late 08 or early 09.

I'll get some your way when we get ready. Thanks for the interest.

Garrett

[Garrett Ford]

Martha- Not trying to tease you just making sure we get the proper testing complete. 09 should be a banner year for EasyCare and hoof boots.

I'll update release dates when all testing is complete and I know when we will have inventory ready.

Thanks for the interest.

[Karen B]

WOW These look great. Less bulk for horses with a tendency to forge (mine). A lower profile so the boot doesn't rub the coronary band as it does my mare. Will team easyboot members get to try these? I know I'd love to test these!!!! Karen B

[Sarita]

Hi Garrett,

These look great! How is the gaiter attached? There doesn't seem to be any bulky hardware inside the boot to attach the gaiter to. I think that would really help my horse with his round hooves.

Do I remember hearing that you are considering a new gaiter (lower profile)?

I'm anxious for all of your new products! Can't wait to try them!

Sarita

[Jessica Goonan]

So after the glue comes off, how do we get the glue out of the boot to re-use it?

[Phyllis Mattox]

I look forward to these comming out.I have been using boots(old macs and Cavellos) for years and my Foxtrotter doesn't gait in them very vell.I think she won't have any trouble gaiting in these.

[Mattie Cowherd]

Hi Garrett,
I am looking forward to seeking the Glove and glue-on in action.

I have two horses in particular that would probably really benefit from glue on... any chance that a late-comer tester could get sent a few? I'm trying to heal old compensative injuries from a trimming standpoint and have had some great successes with casts but feel that casting materials are not very effective for very long... they wear out fast in our Colorado ground and reapplications can be different that old ones.

It would probably be much more beneficial to use semi-permanent boots like these. Then I could leave the boots on for a while, with the necessary shims and pads, until the horse has had a chance to heal. It would allow the muscular systems a chance to rebalance while the horse moves. A longer temporary treatment would be beneficial for these horses... I've seen good results with horses that are shod and am trying to adapt the methods for biomechanical balance to barefoot horses with old injuries.

~Mattie

[Garrett Ford]

Mattie- They will be available in all sizes in roughly 30-40 days. I'll get you out a pair when all the sizes are complete.

Your comments about a semi-permanent boot are interesting. Many uses for the therapy side.

[Mic Rushen]

These look fantastic. I wonder how they will perform in constant wet sucky mud? I'm in West Wales (UK) and so far haven't managed to find a single boot that will stay on my Icelandics in the conditions here. Have you tried them on any gaited horses yet? I'm looking forward to getting some!

[Garrett Ford]

Mic- Not sure about sucky mud yet. I think because of the slim profile they will do better than any other hoof boot design. I'll know soon as I have a couple mud tests lined up.

Have had them on some gaited horses. Because of the one to one fit they work better than any of our other boot designs.

Would you be willing to put a pair to the test in Wales?

[Mic Rushen]

Oh yes please, definitely! That would be fantastic! We ride mostly on roads, gravel tracks and bridleways (which are very muddy), and also on the beach and in the sea. Have a look at the website for photos etc of the surrounding area.

[Garrett Ford]

Mic- You have a deal but you need to promise some serious mud. I looked at the URL. Awesome looking country. The coast photo is great.

I will be shipping boot to year in early January. Put them to the test on the Icelandics. Take lots of photos.