Using the EasyCare Fit Kit to determine proper sizing for the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On

The EasyCare Fit Kit is a wonderful tool to determine the proper boot sizes in both the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On product ranges.

The shell used in both the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On products is flexible and has a great deal of stretch.  Although the measurements are a good starting point, the Fit Kit will really show if the new range fits your horse's feet.  If your horse’s measurements aren’t perfect, based on the size charts, don’t panic.  The flexible upper makes sizing easier and more forgiving.

When the Fit Kit arrives try the boots on the horse’s feet to determine the perfect boot size. Your Fit Kit will contain three shells. 

Each shell has only 4mm of width difference between the next shell size.  For reference, 4mm is the width of 3 dimes.  This tight 4mm gap between sizes helps insure a snug fit. 

What should you look for in a good fit?

1.  The perfect boot size can be pushed on the hoof.  It should be a bit of effort and you will feel the shell flex as it goes over the hoof.

2.  The boot will be snug around the hoof wall and no gaps will appear. All portions of the shell will be below the hairline.

   

3.  The V at the front of the shell should expand like the shell in the photo below.

4.  The boot should fit snug and will be difficult to pull off the hoof.  A good fit will give you the impression that the shell will stay on the foot without glue or without a gaiter.  It should fit like a "Glove".

5.  The hairline at the heel of the horse should be no more than 1/2 an inch above the shell.  If the shell is over or close to the rear hairline trim the shell down.

6.  It should be very difficult to fit a hoof pick between the shell and the hoof.

What should you look for in a poor fit?

1.  Gaps (small or large) can be seen between the upper boot portion and the hoof.

2.  The V in the front of the shell does not expand.  Viewing the photo below the V on the left boot has failed to expand (poor fit).  The V on the right has expanded and is a good fit.

3.  A long heel (a heel that measures more than 1/2 an inch above the shell at the rear hairline).  A horse with long heels may have success with the Easyboot Glue-On shell but will not have success with the Easyboot Glove. 

What can you do to turn a bad fit into a good fit?

1.  Have your horse trimmed by a hoof care professional.  Make sure they are conscious about barefoot trimming methods, toe length and heel length.

2.  Chances are good that after trimming you will have success with the Fit Kit.

3.  Some feet are not the right shape and don't have the correct angles for the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On.  Don’t worry, an Easyboot, Easyboot Epic, Easyboot Edge or Easyboot Bare will be a more adjustable hoof boot option and most likely fit.

Comments

[Natalie H.]

Looks good...I think that will help. Maybe add one note about too tight a fit (like having a big "bulge" on the side where the foot is pushing the boot out..like you showed Terri and I when we tried the next size down that was too tight)

[Megan Matters]

Hi Garrett
I'm a barefoot trimmer and my husband and I both ride endurance booted. We live in north N.S.W. Australia.
I've been reading about the glove for a while now and getting pretty excited by what I'm seeing. The fit kit will be a great tool for trimmers advising clients, take the guesswork out of boot fit.
I know it's what everyone is asking, but when can we expect the glove to be available. Like many I am putting off buying much needed new boots as they already seem outdated compared to the glove.

[Veronica Deubert]

Hi,
I've been excitedly looking forward to the release of the glove and glue on. I've been hoping and praying for a boot that will fit my dressage horse with LF 5.5"L x 5.5"W, RF 5.7"L x 5.5"W. I was so disapointed to see that the glove sizes are not in his range. Do you anticipate any future sizing that might accomodate my horse?

[Garrett Ford]

Veronica- Yes! We need to get the more common sizes released first. Expect bigger and smaller sizes by April or May.

[Lauren]

What do you use to "glue on" the boot? VetTech products? Which one? Instructions for removal? I'm excited to try the glove. I'll look for you at Warners Garrett.

[Garrett Ford]

Lauren- We are using a couple of the Vettec products with success. Vettec Adhere and Vettec Sole-Guard both do well. We are also using some of the Vettec Equi-Pak CS.

Depending on my next couple of days go, I may do the glue process on one of my horses feet at Warner. I can show everyone just how easy the glue-on application process is.

We will have full instructions and videos up in a couple days. All new proucts, new product instructions, new product sizing and shopping cart will be updated on the main EasyCare site before Jan 15th.

[Endurance Granny (aka Jacke Reynolds)]

Hi Garrett, I called Easycare with some questions about the gloves / glue on boots but was referred back to you for a few more questions I had the customer service rep did not have an answer for, so here goes.

My horse has always been barefoot and trimmed in a barefoot style. Hence, her hooves have a pretty round shape, wider than they are long in some instances. For instance LF and RF are 4.5 X 4.5 her LR and RR are more normal shaped at about 4.5 X 4.75.

Will the gloves fit a horse with the round hoof shape of a barefoot horse?

Can you remove the gaiter from the glove and glue it on for competition?

Thanks! ~E.G.

[Debby]

Great looking catalog. You guys really know how to dot your I's and cross your T's.

Debby H

[Garrett Ford]

Jacke- Sorry for the late response. It's crazy busy here.

Yes the Gloves and Glue-On's will fit a round foot. Both shells have a great deal of flex and stretch. A Fit Kit is a cheap and simple way to assure a perfect fit.

Yes you can remove the gaiter and glue the shell on for an event. Once the gaiter is removed from the Glove you end up with a Glue-On shell.

Hope that helps.

Garrett

[Lauren]

Garrett, Thanks for the fit kit that I got from you at Warner Springs. The sizes seem to fit very good but on one hoof there is a small gap right at the sides of the heel bulbs. Obviously that hoof has a narrower heel area. Is that small amount of gap O.K. in the back? The next smaller size fits tighter in the heel area but the length is too short. I guess i could shorten the toe of the hoof but I'm happy with the hoof now, so I was wondering if the gap is O.K. I plan to glue the boots on for a 2 day ride coming up end of Jan.

[Jonna]

I just ordered my 1.5 size FitKit today and look forward to trying the Glove for my Barb Stallion. I started conditioning him for endurance last season and he has a few hoof issues I hope to resolve with this boot. Can't wait for it to arrive so I can try it out.

[Ute Miethe]

Hi Garrett,
I am very exited about the new Glove design - too bad they do not come in size 4 yet. My WB requires that in the fronts.

As a barefoot trimmer I also have a few additional questions....

I understand that the Glove is generally not a good fit for horses with high heels. How will the Glove accomodate changes that will occur with proper trimming/diet and exercise, like lateral , medial or toe flaring, heel contractions and hooves that still have a more elongated shape and long toe?

With Epics there seems to be quite a bit of tolerance and needing a different boot size after the hooves changes is generally rare. How well can the Glove accomodate such changes?

Thank you!