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Urs Truttman and Carlos compete in Old Mac's in several disciplines in Switzerland. Dressage, Jumping and Carriage Driving to name a few. Carlos is a 17 hand Holsteiner who has been barefoot for life. The studded Old Mac's give Carlos the traction and support needed to compete on a high level. Traction on grass is no problem.
Carlos is one sweet looking horse.
It looks like the hoof boot and athletic tape technique was started/invented by Duncan Satchell of Australia.
I went home early from work today and tried the athletic tape technique with six Easyboot Glue-On shells. I used them on all four feet of Inferno and the back feet of Spyder. I applied Power Straps to all six shells before starting the athletic tape technique. I think the power straps and the rear heel of the Glue-on shell make this technique possible.
Here are a few shots of me taping the feet. I taped around the hoof wall and around the bulbs below the hairline.
I then slide the Easyboot Glue-On shells on the feet. The shells went on fairly easy and the Power Strap gave them a super snug feel. Here are a couple shots of the shells on the feet. Red Power Straps on the size #1, blue Power Straps on the size #0 and silver on the size #0.5.
Off we went on a 6-7 mile ride with Easyboot Glue-On shells, Power Straps and athletic tape holding the boots in place. Nothing else to hold the boots on. We trotted 90% of the loop, did some cantering and some walking. It worked! All six boots stayed in place for the entire ride. As the ride went on I increased the pace and the boots never failed. Pretty sweet little trick.
I washed both horses well when we got home and the boots and tape got plenty wet. I didn't remove the boots and I'll see what type of bond they have tomorrow and then the following day.
I'm not sure how long or how far hoof boots will stay on using this technique but I did test them fairly well tonight. Regardless if the athletic tape technique will work with just a shell it's a great tool in the hoof boot bag of tricks.
Here is where I think it can be helpful:
1. Used with an Easyboot Glove. The athletic tape will lock an Easyboot Glove in place for the most difficult terrain.
2. Use with an Easyboot Glue-On shell in a turn out situation. Nothing above the hairline and easy to apply. No glue needed.
3. Use in dressage. Lightweight shell applied when protection is needed.
The best thing about the Glue-On shell and athletic tape is the profile. Take a look at the photo below. There is not another hoof boot option on the market that is closer fitting, lighter weight and slimmer in profile. I love this photo. Really shows how far boots have come.
I saw a couple posts from Australia regarding the application of Easyboot Gloves with sports tape. At first I just read through the posts and didn't pay much attention. Then I received a couple e-mails from other Aussi endurance riders who tried the technique. They said the technique really worked and almost glued the boots in place.
I tried the technique today in the office with a plastic horse leg, Mueller Athletic M Tape and an Easyboot Glove shell. I tried to duplicate the application methods used by the clever Aussi riders. See photos below.
Wrap the hoof with the athletic tape. I applied the tape to the areas of the hoof that would be covered by the Easyboot shell and stayed below the hairline. Sticky side of the tape against the hoof.
After the hoof is wrapped slip on the Easyboot Glove or Easyboot Glue-On shell.
The technique works amazingly well. The Easyboot Glue-On shell is super secure and feels glued in place. It's very difficult to remove the shell, it takes a bunch of strength to budge it and you can't twist it. I'm super impressed and believe it may keep a shell in place without glue and without a gaiter.
I'll give it a shot today on a real horse on a real ride. It works so well I'm gonna give it a shot with the Glue-On shell first. I'm not sure if it will work with the Glue-On shell for all conditions but it will make a huge difference on an Easyboot Glove. This technique used with an Easyboot Glove will be incredible combination!
Thank you Australia. Who was the first rider who tried this? I need to send you a boot care package for thinking outside the box.
I have a decent quantity of Dome Comfort Pads designed for the low profile of the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On boots. Our Comfort Pads sell like hot cakes and everyone keeps asking for pads that will work in the Glove and Glue-On. We have a bunch of them going out to testers this week.
The concept behind this pad is to give the hoof extra support and loading without lifting the hoof out of the boot.
I'll keep you posted on the feedback we receive.
Dian Woodward and Christoph Schork of Global Endurance have been posting impressive results in Easyboot Glue-Ons. Over the last two weekends horses ridden by Christoph, Dian or clients of Global Endurance have achieved the following.
Easyboot Glue-On results from Color Country Endurance Event
3rd Place day 1. Christoph and DWA Express
1st Place day 2. Christoph and DWA Powerball
2nd Place day 3. Christoph and Double Zell
3rd Place day 3. Emily Bradly and DWA Powerball
Christoph and DWA Express pictured below. Steve Bradley Photo.
Easyboot Glue-On results from Antelope Island Endurance Event
1st Place day 1. Christoph and DWA Express
2nd Place day 1. Marcy Till and DWA Powerball
1st Place and Best Condition day 2. Christoph and Stars Aflame
The second place finish on the third day of Color Country when Christoph rode Double Zell marks the end of a 17 ride winning streak. Christoph and "Zell" had won 17 consecutive rides. I'm not sure if that was an AERC record but I would bet it was close. The best part of the story is how the streak was broken.
Christoph and Zell pictured the day the streak was broken. Steve Bradly photo.
Emily Bradly's horse coliced the day before and Christoph not only offered Emily his horse DWA Powerball but offered to sponsor the junior rider. Christoph and Emily had a great day but Christoph couldn't do what he needed to keep the streak alive. The sponsoring and mentoring of the junior rider was more important. Christoph is a class act. Congrats on the streak and congrats on letting it go over opportunities that are more important.
Does anyone know the longest AERC win streak without being pulled? I would bet 17 is the record or close to it?
Jeremy and Heather Reynolds continue to have success in Easyboot products. They attended the Shine and Shine only two day event over the weekend and ended up with 9 of their horses competing. Jeremy and Heather rode two of their inexperienced horses on Saturday. On Sunday they rode more experienced horses and both finished in the top 5. Jeremy won BC and high vet score on the second day. Several other horses owned by Heather and Jeremy were ridden by clients.
Heather Reynolds and Gem below.
Jeremy Reynolds taking Smitty into a vet check.
Easyboot Glove Power Strap update. We have a limited quantity of all colors and a good stock of black power straps available for purchase now. Check out the shopping cart section of our site here. When these run out we will get more in about three weeks.
The response to the Easyboot Glove Power Strap colors has been much bigger than expected. Based on the response EasyCare will produce the Power Strap in the ten colors below. Black, Blue, Green, Red, Purple, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Silver and White.
Other colors are easy to add if we see the need. All colors will be available for sale in roughly 3 weeks. Enjoy.
Installation instructions can be found here.
The Easyboot Rx has now been on the equine market for a bit over three months. Feedback has been wonderful and sales are robust. Although initial feedback has been very positive, we have seen some boots come back that have ripped in different areas of the upper. The feedback has given us the opportunity to make some improvements. Our next order of Rx boots will have a much stronger mesh material and reinforced gussets at the high stress areas. The material is also more breathable.
I've attached a couple photos of the new mesh material in a pink. The Easyboot Rx will remain black, the pink material was for testing only.
The long wait for the Easyboot Edge is just about done. We are scheduled to receive our first shipment next week and will start filling all back orders in sizes 0, 1 and 2 immediately after they arrive. The size #3 are running three weeks behind.
The Easyboot Edge should be a great trail riding boot with easy application and removal. It will also be a great boot to use if you want to use comfort pads. It's a bit heavier than the Easyboot Epic. In my opinion it will not be a good boot to use in long distance sports because of the extra weight. My personal favorite for long distance is the Easyboot Glove.
We delayed our initial launch to add some additional padding and support in the tongue area. The first design had a solid tongue which caused discomfort in a couple horses.
They are packaged in pairs and are right, left specific.
Take a look at the Easyboot Edge page to learn more.
Now that the Easyboot Glove Power Strap mold is complete we are working on packaging and installation instructions. I'm not sure yet but we may introduce the Power Strap in colors. Colors will give people the option to color code boots for each horse. In addition because the Easyboot Glove is super low profile and close fitting it's hard to see boots on a horse. The colors will allow the boots to stand out if you want.
I don't believe we will ever offer any of our hoof boot designs in colors. Colors complicate inventory, increase inventory carrying costs for manufacturer and dealers, increase inventory delays and out of stock situations and in the end drive up product costs. I believe in the old Henry Ford motto "Any color-so long as it's black".
Colored power straps allow consumers to have some color options without the negative inventory ramifications caused by colors. Here are a couple photos with some test colors. If you like the idea of colors or would like to see another color please let me know.
Hope everyone had a happy Easter weekend. We had a wonderful day with family.
Jeremy and Heather Reynolds horse "GT" wins Best Condition in the 75 mile event. GT was ridden by a rider from Japan and was fitted with special/R&D Easyboot Glue-Ons.
GT is on the left in the photo below. Jeremy and Smitty are on the right.
Chris Martin's horse Monk wins the 50 mile Git R Done event in Easyboot Glue Ons.
Quick update on the EasyCare $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest. We are now a bit over 4 months into the 2009 ride season and into our 5th season. At the end of the year EasyCare will have given away over $50,000 to endurance riders we participate in hoof boots. Here are the 2009 results to date.
I've had some questions lately about the 2009 contest rules and the bonus cash. We did a 2009 $10,00 Hoof Boot Contest press release early in the year with the 2009 changes. Click here to view the 2009 changes.
The questions I continue to receive revolve around the following.
1. Question. What is the difference if I use four EasyCare hoof boots or two EasyCare hoof boots? Answer. Mileage will be counted at 50% for horses completing the entire distance wearing two EasyCare hoof boots.
2. Question. Can I use more than two horses? Answer. Yes, but riders will only be eligible to receive rewards based on their two highest mileage horses.
3. Question. What does the * mean next to a riders name. Answer. These are employees or affiliates of EasyCare and not eligible for awards.
4. Question. When can riders collect bonus cash? Answer. Riders are eligible for bonus cash after completion of 300 miles (482 km): After
300 miles (482 km) riders will be paid $1.00 per mile in 100 mile
increments. When a rider reaches 400 miles or 643 km in the contest
they will receive $100.00 cash, at 500 miles or 804 km riders will
receive an additional $100.00 cash, etc. There is no limit to the bonus
cash. 2009 Bonus Miles: EasyCare will give riders the opportunity to
earn bonus miles during the ride season. Bonus mileage will be given to
completed events in new EasyCare hoof boot designs and to compete at
certain events in EasyCare hoof boots. Mileage will be counted at 50% for horses completing the entire distance wearing two EasyCare hoof boots.
5. Question. I've heard some riders in the contest have received free boots to test? Answer. This is correct. One of the best things about endurance riders is the wear and tear they put on boots. We love to have endurance riders test product. If you are $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest and want to test product please let us know.
6. Question. I don't think some of the rules are fair, what should I do? Answer. The $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest is not a sanctioned contest, it's not part of AERC, and it has not been voted on or decided by a committee. It's a fun contest developed by EasyCare to encourage riders to use hoof boots in endurance. Riders sign up for the contest voluntarily. EasyCare has developed the rules in order to gain the most bang from our $10,000 in cash. In the end we get boots used in extreme conditions and by horse and rider teams who log big miles. We then learn from the results and feedback and produce better boots for endurance riders and riders of all disciplines. EasyCare reserves the right to change, further define or amend rules during the contest year.
Thanks for participating and helping EasyCare make better hoof boots! Riders who are eligible for bonus cash will be receiving payments in the next week or two.
I went over to the Git R Done endurance event to help some riders install Easyboot Glue On hoof boots.
Tennessee Mahoney and I spent some time installing glue on boots to Pearl's front and back feet. Pearl has some awesome barefoot feet and isn't new to hoof boots. Tennessee and Pearl have been one of the leading barefoot/booted endurance teams over the last couple years. Depending on the footing Pearl goes with or without boots and has received Best Condition totally barefoot on more than one occasion.
Tennessee worked Pearl in the round pen after we installed boots and I had the opportunity to see her move around. She's one of those horses who moves effortlessly and has no wasted energy. Nice, nice horse.
Learn more about Tennessee and her program by visiting Remuda Run. Tennessee and Pearl having some fun in the round pen.
Pearl showing off her Easyboot Glue-on boots.
I got to relax a bit while Jeremy and Heather Reynolds showed me their Easyboot Glue-On installation techniques. Jeremy had some different methods and I learned a bunch watching him.
I was super impressed with the Reynold's horses and learned more about their program and some of their training techniques. Sounds like they have a stable of great horses. Jeremy's horse Smitty is probably the most imposing horse I've seen in a long time. Huge bone, great feet and he's built like a tank. Jeremy's done some amazing things with Smitty in the past and said he's yet to tap his full potential.
Jeremy and Heather are working on a website that will be up soon. They have some nice horses for sale, take on horses for training and do endurance consulting.
Jeremy and Smitty doing an easy preride. Look at the chest on Smitty. Smitty is every heavy weight riders dream.
I also had the opportunity to spend some time with Chris Martin and Monk. Monk has been racing in Easyboot Glue-Ons and has some great results. Monk's last race was a 4th place finish at the Twenty Mule Team 100.
Chris and Monk.
Chris has been working on and testing a new glue for the Easyboot Glue-On. Chris' "Goober Glue" has a very nice density to it and from what I learned is a bit easier to remove from boots. Chris has some additional testing to do but if results continue to be positive we hope to partner with Chris and make Goober Glue available through EasyCare.
Chris spent time showing me several of Monk's boots that had been applied and removed several times using the Goober Glue. Can't wait to get my hands on some and help Chris with the testing.
Here are some photos of Monk's boots after Twenty Mule Team and several installs.
The Power Strap is about done and will be released as an accessory for the Easyboot Glove very soon. Here is a quick photo session to show you how to install a power strap. It's an easy process that takes a couple minutes.
1. First, cut and punch the Power Strap to the correct length. If you have a size #1 Easyboot Glove cut and punch to the #1 mark.
2. Second, punch two holes in the front of the Easyboot Glove at the dimpled areas.
3. Last, install the Power Strap to the Easyboot Glove shell using the included hardware.
4. Done. Go ride.
EasyCare
will be doing a hoof boot demo at the Color Country Pioneer and the Git R Done
endurance events this coming weekend.
I continue to get questions about the Power Strap and how it improves fit and performance of the Easyboot Glove. The Power Strap does several things to the Glove.
1. It helps the upper portion of the Glove shell fit tighter around the hoof. This tighter fit helps keep dirt and debris out of the boot.
2. The Power Strap helps improve fit on feet with flair or imbalances.
3. The Power Strap helps keep the Glove snug and centered when used in extreme conditions.
To illustrate how it improves performance I've attached a couple photos of a horse fitted with Easyboot Gloves using the Power Strap and a couple without the Power Strap.
Photo of Easyboot Glove without the Power Strap. This horse has hard to fit feet. Notice the gap at the side. The Glove would work on this horse but would pick up debris.
Photo of the Easyboot Glove on the same horse with the Power Strap. The gaps are now gone and the boot fits much more snug. Look at how much better the fit is.
I pulled a couple Easyboot Glue-On shells off one of my horses last night. The hoof boots were applied using Vettec Adhere and Vettec Equi-Pak CS. CS is used to pack the sole area, provide cushioning and prevent thrush.
The shells have been in place for roughly 8 days and have been through a bunch of sand and some water. The photos illustrate what a successful install should look like and how the CS fills the sole cavity.
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