From The Horse's Mouth

Barefoot horses and barefoot people

Take a look at the similarities between barefoot people/horses and what's going on in the running shoe industry.

"Recent research suggests that for all their high-tech features, modern running shoes may not actually do much to improve a runner’s performance or prevent injuries. Some runners are convinced that they are better off with shoes that are little more than thin gloves for the feet — or with no shoes at all."

Check these shoes out here. 

Hoof Boot testing in Durango over the weekend

Rusty Toth, Kevin Myers, Miriam Rezine and I did some boot testing in mountains of Durango today.  Six different glue-on application methods and some new R&D gaiters for the Easyboot Glove.  We have another ride planned for tomorrow.

Rusty wins over Alliance with a carrot straight from the garden.

The views around town are stunning.  Testing boots is tough work.

Discussing barefoot horses and hoof boots over wine and burgers.

Press Release for the 2009 Tevis Cup

Hoof Boot Success at the 2009 Tevis Cup

EasyCare owner Garrett Ford described the The 2009 Tevis Cup as a "sink or swim" moment for the company. Riding a wave of success generated by this year's release of 4 revolutionary new hoof boot designs, Garrett attended Tevis this year not only to compete, but also to put EasyCare's name on the line. He and several company representatives were at the staging camp at Robie Park in the days leading up to the race, fitting and applying Easyboot Glue-On hoof boots for anyone competing in the race, free of charge. The idea was to show the endurance riding world that these new hoof boots were up to the challenge of what is regarded as the toughest endurance race in the country, if not the world. In all, 19 horses were fitted with Easyboot Glue-Ons.

Check out a full photo gallery.

Installing boots at Robie Park

The Tevis Cup is a 100-mile endurance race that takes horse and rider through some of the most breathtaking and rugged terrain on the planet. The course starts before dawn at Robie Flats, high in the mountains above Lake Tahoe, and finishes 100 long miles away in Auburn, CA. The fastest riders finish around the 17 hour mark, with riders coming in throughout the night and well into the morning hours.

Dave Rabe and Christoph Schork arriving at Robinson Flat.

Because the race is so hard, and because the vet checks set up at regular intervals along the race course are so strict in ensuring the horses' health and well-being, the average completion rate for Tevis over its 50+ year history is around 54%. Yes, that means that only about half of the riders that enter actually end up finishing the race. Most are pulled at a vet check because their horse doesn't meet the many stringent requirements for heart rate, soundness, gait, etc. Others simply can't complete the grueling course before the 24-hour cutoff time expires.

Tevis barefoot good luck.

Of the 19 horses that were fitted with EasyCare Glue-On boots, 14 finished the race, including two top 10 finishes: Tennessee Mahoney and Salty came in 6th, and Megan Doyle and Kanga Roo finished 8th. Garrett and several members of his riding group finished around 30th place. Complete ride results can be found here. The finish rate for booted horses was 73%, well above the 54% average, showing once again that hoof boots have earned their rightful place in the endurance riding world and are here to stay.

Tennessee and Salty

Easyboot Glue-On applied with Goober Glue

EasyCare has been working on the glue-on process for a couple years now.  We have a very good set of instructions for glue-on application that have worked extremely well for hundreds of riders and thousands of installations.  Although our current application methods are working we continue to seek better methods.  Methods that are better for the horse, quicker and easier on the pocketbook.

Chris Martin has been working with the Goober Glue for many months now.  He continues to try different methods and most recently has been mixing a bit of water with Goober Glue to accelerate the curing process.  I have been using the Goober Glue as a packing (I think it's the best boot packing material available) but I have only used the Goober Glue for a couple full installs due to the longer set up time.  I did a complete install yesterday using Goober Glue and the new instructions posted by Chris Martin. 

I have to say that I'm impressed with the Goober Glue and the new method really speeds up the process.  Here are a couple photos that show the new method.

I used a small plastic cup and squeezed in five pumps.  Next I added a 1/2 teaspoon of water.  The key to the whole process is mixing the Goober Glue and water together.  The better you mix it up the quicker the set time.

I purchased a small paint mixer and added it to my DeWalt.  The mixer and DeWalt really mixed the Goober Glue and water well.  I think the mixing is the key!

The next step is to use a putty knife and apply a thick bead of Goober Glue to the walls of the shell.  The boot is then slipped on the hoof.  Give the boot a quick twist to smear the glue.  Then twist back to center and let the horse stand.

Put a small bead around the top of the shell.  Use your finger to spread it out and make it look nice.

What you didn't see in photos is I also used the putty knife to apply the Goober Glue to the sole area.  This makes the install a bit trickier but it was a non issue. 

I was surprised how quickly the Goober Glue set.  It was very tacky and set in roughly 5 minutes.

So whats the big deal with Goober Glue?  Why are we spending time with this process if the current process works so well?  I'll list the reasons below.

1.  I believe the Goober Glue is the best packing available and provides the perfect cushion and support for our barefoot horses.  This support removes peripheral loading inside the boot and gives the sole and frog the support the doctor ordered.   Read more here.  

2.  Goober Glue is very tacky and sticks very well to the hoof and Easyboot Glue-On shell.  It sticks so well to the sole of the hoof that very little moisture gets inside the shell.  On one of my last installs I peeled Goober Glue off the hoof, the bond was so good that no water was between the sole and Goober Glue.

3.  Goober Glue sets with water.  Much easier to work with when the hoof is wet.  No need for denatured alcohol.  In fact denatured alcohol is bad for the Goober Glue set up process (recently learned that).

4.  Goober Glue is easy to remove from the shell after use.

5.  It has a nice price point and can be used in a standard caulking gun. 

6.  The bond between shell and hoof wall is flexible.  The Goober Glue will elongate many times before the bond breaks. 

The only thing I don't like is the set up time.  Mixing with water makes the set up time much quicker and mush less an issue. 

To learn more about Goober Glue and how to purchase click here. 

Boot Maine-ia: 8/21/09

Do boots work on the east coast.  Heck yes.  Boot Maine-ia is hoof boot perspective from an East Coaster.  Sharon Levasseur will be posting her experiences under Boot Maine-ia.

Boot Maine-ia: 8/21/09

On Sunday 8/16, I was horrified to see damage and bruising on the hairless part of the skin on Zephyr’s heels on his hind feet.  I couldn’t take pictures that night, but this is what they looked like the next morning.  I applied Equine Relief as soon as I saw the damage, and it looked SOOO much better in the morning!  Instead of raw soft skin, it looked like a nice dry/hard frog.  That’s what you see in the pictures below.  I couldn’t even see any bruising, even though it was obvious the night before.

I have no idea what caused it, it appeared overnight when he was spending his days hanging out with his cow/horse friends in the pasture down the road.  His last glue-ons were removed two weeks ago (on 8/2), otherwise I would have suspected the heels of the boots had been too tight.

Please forgive/ignore the mud on the bottom of his hooves that makes them look wonky.

EasyCare was about to send me a set of the new EasyBoot Gloves with the prototype gaiters, and I needed to double-check sizes.  He’s been wearing size 1s on his hind feet, but due to the bruising/damage I was considering whether he should bump up to 1.5s instead.  So on 8/19 I trimmed his hind feet in preparation for a fresh fitting.

Here’s both hooves after their trim.  I’m still relatively new at this, so feedback from knowledgeable professionals is welcome!  Looking at these pictures though, YES, I can see that his toes are creeping forward; it’s especially obvious on the left hind.

LEFT HIND: Farrier trim first(photo taken in early June), and my trim second (I’ve been trimming him since the June photos).

Right Hind:  Farrier trim first, my trim on second.

 

Here’s his right hind hoof in a size #1 Easyboot Glue on.  The first photo is the original version of the Glove, in June after the farrier removed his shoes and trimmed him, and the second photo is the new thick-toe Glove.  (I realize his hair looks brown in the new photo, but it was just the lighting and the dirty leg!)  I don’t know if his hoof got bigger in addition to the toe getting longer, or if the thicker-toe version is also less stretchy, but it definitely fits differently.  His hoof doesn’t go all the way in.

And here’s the same hoof in a size 1.5.  Again... farrier trim photo is first, mine is second.

 

My conclusion... it’s clear that his hooves are all a little longer than they were when I first did the fit kit.  I keep trying to get the hoof wall even with the sole, but when I do, he’s really ouchy on any kind of rocks or pebbles.  He may just need some hoof wall!  I’ll continue to take pictures and compare them as I go along.

 

Transition Tuesday Week 15

Week 15:

Adjusting Diet To Ensure A Sound and Healthy Barefoot Horse

Tom’s Thumb: our new favorite trail accessible from our own back yard.

The path to natural horse care has had several surprises for me. The last 15 weeks has been a fascinating journey: one of the biggest discoveries was how closely connected diet is to soundness. In his Checklist for Success, Dr. Tomas Teskey lists nutrition well above natural hoof care. He suggests the most important element of a healthy horse is feeding a high fiber, low carbohydrate diet.

Rocky and Redford heading back down a trail in the McDowell Mountains. You can see the city of Phoenix off to the distance.

Our feeding regime has definitely changed since we pulled the shoes on our horses. Rocky and Redford are easy keepers – prone to a healthy layer of fat over the ribs. They both showed some sensitivity to rocks and hard ground, even when they had shoes and pads.

Rocky: we are heading up to the top of the thumb visible just above his eye.

They showed similar sensitivity to hard ground when we pulled their shoes, although it seemed to come and go. Over the last month, we have changed the way we feed. We continue to feed good quality Bermuda hay. We have found a supplier whose hay is consistently long in stem and nice and leafy. The horses like it, too. They get enough to keep them busy all day and all night. I would like to feed it out three times a day, but a full time job in the city dictates a twice daily feed schedule. We try to balance it such that they do not leave any hay, but they also do not go so long without food that they become hungry. It seems to work out to about two good sized flakes per feed per horse, twice a day.

Far enjoys a morning feed of Bermuda hay. We feed in tubs to reduce the amount of sand ingested from the desert floor.

We also feed them a beet pulp/supplement mix twice a day. We buy the beet pulp in pellet form and soak it in the hours between feeding. We rinse out the soaked beet pulp just before we feed it so as to remove the sugars present in the molasses in many of the bags we buy. The easy keepers get a small scoop and the challenging keeper gets two small scoops per feed.

One of the descents on the training ride this weekend on the McDowell Mountain range.

Each horse also gets a low starch pelleted feed. We were feeding whole oats for some time but we eliminated that in an effort to reduce their carbs they were ingesting. We have been trying out a few different brands. We tried Cool Stance for a while – made from coconut meal. The horses were not overly impressed. We are currently trying the Triple Crown low starch feed. Each horse gets half a small scoop and they eat it willingly.   We add Equerry Choice as the vitamin supplement and during the summer we add about a tablespoon of salt to each feed. We also grind flax seed and feed about three tablespoons per horse per feed.

Our cache of Bermuda hay.

The most sensitive footed horses are showing the greatest change on the low carb diet with barely so much as a flinch when barefoot over rocky ground. We have been integrating one or two rides per week without any hoof protection. It really seems to encourage growth of the hoof and speed up their ability to go without protection. Their feet are looking better with each passing week; they are all showing a nice concave shape to the foot and better angles and stronger hoof wall with better angles. We look for more challenging training trails on the weekends and use the Easyboot Gloves.

Redford makes the climb up towards Tom’s Thumb: an 1,800 foot climb in three miles.

This week we found a new and very challenging trail just a few miles from our place that boasts more than 6,000 feet of climbing in less than 14 miles. At least half of the trail is very rocky. I think the climbing on this trail was more challenging than climbing up to Devil’s Thumb at Tevis! We were using older boots on some of the steepest and rockiest trails I have been on in recent memory. The tread on the boots just does not wear out and the boots did not twist or come off, even on these ridiculous trails. We continue to use athletic tape on the hinds which is an added insurance policy on the rocky, mountainous trails. The front boots go on straight out of the box and are holding up really well to any trail we throw at them. 

These boots have done about 15 miles of the Tevis trail in training, as well as more than 25 miles at Prescott and another 22 miles this weekend at Tom’s Thumb. There is lots of life left in them.

We’re taking Rocky and Redford to Bryce XP in a couple of weeks. Far is heading into week four of a three-month lay-off after Tevis. I’m finding it really hard to resist the temptation to ride him.

Keep up the boot legging!

Kevin

EasyCare hoof boot radiographs

I recently started using a great local vet named Ben Hufnagel.  He has a long back ground in feet (he's better with that last name) and corrective techniques.  We originally meet over a heath certificate but we soon started talking about hoof boots and how far they have come in recent years.  He's now trialing boots on his Icelandic and has a bunch of stuff to apply to corrective cases.  In his words "Hoof boots are on the tipping point"

We did a series of radiographs today with every EasyCare hoof boot.  It was a fun procedure and really shows whats going on inside a hoof boot, thicknesses around the walls and break over.  It will take me a bit of time to get them all up and adjusted but here is a quick idea of what they look like.

View of Cyclone's hoof without a hoof boot. 

View of Cylone's hoof in an Easyboot Glue-On.  No glue.

View of Cyclone's hoof in an Easyboot Glove.

View of Cyclone's hoof in an Old Mac's G2.

New Glue-On technique for Goober Glue and other slow setting adhesives

I've been experimenting with Goober Glue and a couple other adhesives that set slower than the Vettec products.  The Goober Glue type products are great but because they take longer to set are more difficult for total glue-on application.  Most horses have an issue standing still for 30 minutes.  One twist or pivot during the set time compromises the bond.  

The thing I like about Goober Glue and the longer setting adhesives is the holding power and the softness of the glue.  The Goober Glue has the best shock absorption qualities of any glue I've used.  These adhesives are also easier to remove from the shell when done making multiple reapplications a non issue.

I had an idea over the weekend that actually worked out very well.  I used Goober Glue inside the glue-on shell but used a gaiter to keep the shell in place during the set up period.  So essentially I used the Easyboot Glove to start the process and then after a couple hours I removed the screws and gaiter which converted the Easyboot Glove back to the Easyboot Glue-On.  The process was quick, easy and no mess.  Very easy to do yourself without a helper.  Also a non issue on a horse that won't stand still.  No need to worry about the shells twisting during the set up period.

The process actually worked better than I expected. Here is what I did.

1.  Fold the gaiter back and put Goober Glue inside the shell.  I applied the Goober Glue pretty thick on the walls only.

2.  Goober Glue inside the shell, gaiter folded out of the way.  Hard to see the Goober Glue in the photo.

3.  I then applied the adhesive directly to the sole and leveled.  See method used at Tevis in previous blog post.

4.  Slip on the boots and tighten the gaiters.  Let the horse stand or turn the horse out in a small area.  The gaiters kept the shells in place and allowed the glue to dry without me stressing about twisting, turning or coming off.


5.  Another shot of the boots as the glue dries. 

6.  Remove the screws that hold the gaiter to the shell.  Set the screws and gaiter aside for the next application.  It took me a couple minutes to remove the 12 screws on the four boots (3 per boot). 

7.  The gaiters looked great after I removed them.  No glue on them and ready to be used on an Easyboot Glove or to repeat this glue-on process again.

8.  Done and ready to ride.  The t-nut stays with the shell and is glued in place.  I have some big conditioning rides planned this week.  I'll let you know how it works.

Of all the glue-on methods I've tried over the years this one is actually the easiest, the process is not messy at all and it can be done with one person at a quick or leisurely pace.  The Goober Glue type glues are very nice and actually have a great bond to the hoof.  I've been reluctant to really push these types of glues because of the set up time and the potential problems caused by longer set up times.  This method may be the answer that I'm looking for.

I'm setting aside these gaiters and will continue to use them for this process.  I'm curious to see how many uses I can get out of them but I guess it will be endless.  One thing to note: For this type of application a #1 gaiter can be used on a #0, #0.5, #1 and #1.5 shells.  

I like the process so much I've actually moved forward with the patent work.  Good stuff and another option in the arsenal. 

Auburn University Update

Adam Cooner LC/DC study at Auburn University PowerPoint presentation. This is a very important step towards studying and evaluating LC and DC development in live horses. Cool and informative 3d MRI and CT models.

EasyCare is proud to be part of the study and delighted to see how our small bit of funding allowed Adam to make a huge amount of progress over the summer months.  

Check out Pete and Ivy's page to down load the presentation under the "What's new on this site" area. 

I can't have my boots but this bucket is the next best thing.

Bigger Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Glue-Ons coming very soon

We have completed bigger molds in both the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-On.  We will be adding two larger sizes to the EasyCare range (#3.5 and #4) very soon. 

Hoof boot adhesives and packing materials

Glue-On hoof boot methods are getting better and better due to the improvements in adhesives and packing materials.  After returning home from Tevis I had the opportunity to test a couple of new materials.  Good stuff is coming!

Transition Tuesday Week 14

Natural Hoof Care Clinic

Dr. Tomas G. Teskey, D.V.M.

I had the unusual privilege last weekend of attending a clinic by Dr. Tomas Teskey. As well as being a gifted and passionate speaker, Dr. Teskey is one of today’s leading authorities on the equine hoof and barefoot horses. I left the clinic with the impression that perpetuated shoeing of horse is not dissimilar to an addiction developed over time. We know it is not right, but we are afraid to break the habit. At Week 14 in my own transition experiment, and with a couple of significant accomplishments under my belt, I can assure you that a few boots in your tack room will allow you to make the switch.

Dr. Teskey presents his clinic in Cave Creek, AZ.

I have transcribed my notes for the benefit of the reader but remember that I am not a trained professional, and in no way do I attempt to represent the views or opinions of EasyCare or its staff.

Natural hoof care goes hand in hand with natural horsemanship philosophies and techniques. Both respect the natural abilities and welfare of the horse. A sound horse is one that can comfortably walk, trot and canter with animation and impulsion on unfettered feet. Protection for hooves, as needed, should be achieved with hoof boots: they provide dynamic, complementary shapes that allow the hoof to expand and contract with the movement of the horse. As passionate as Dr. Teskey is about barefoot, he underlines that hoof protection in the form of boots is a necessary tool for today’s working horse.

The morning was dedicated to the discussion of the barefoot hoof and he asked us to keep in mind the acronym PACES when thinking about the role of the hoof in the overall health of our horse. The afternoon was spent dissecting the lower leg of a horse. It really helped me better understand the mechanics in the lower leg of the horse.

P = Protection: the hoof protects all internal structures when it is healthy.

A = Adjusting Architecture: the hoof must be shaped correctly and be allowed to twist and torque in all directions to protect the horse and do its job in general.

C = Circulation: Robert Bowker at Michigan State University has a theory on equine foot physiology. His hemodynamic flow theory proposes that blood flow through the network of tiny capillaries in the heel region of an unshod foot plays a vital role in shock absorption of the hoof.

E = Exfoliation: of keratinaceous protein. Different environments produce differently shaped hoof capsules due to pressure.

S = Sensation: the horse literally feels his way along the ground and enjoys surefootedness by doing so. Feeling and touch are critical to safety; proprioception (the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts) is essential for survival. The traction provided is exactly therefore specifically designed for a specific and changing terrain.

Horses that self trim provide us one model and many ideas for trimming our horses. In other words, the type of trim is actually determined by the work the horse is doing. If you ride more, you probably have to trim less. When working with the unshod hoof, leave as much of the dead sole as is – don’t flake it off to the live sole because it will defeat the horse’s ability to exfoliate.

The soundest hooves are those designed through performance: weaknesses are not perpetuated in the long run. Domestic hooves can be conditioned beyond the performance level of feral hooves: horses are athletes and their ability to excel whilst barefoot is mind-boggling.

Dr. Teskey describes each component of the lower leg and the role it plays.

The Shoe

A shoe prevents natural movement of hoof walls but does not prevent downward movement of the coronet. Shoes are fixed to the hoof in the non-weight bearing, less expanded state – thus the sole is held in a vaulted position against the descending coffin bone. In the weight-bearing position, the hoof can expand in width up to ¼” more than the hoof in the non weight bearing position. The shoe eliminates this expansion.

Before and after: contracted heels can open back out. Shod hooves are disallowed torsion and flexion. Professor Smedegard (Netherlands, 1997)

determined that the shoe’s force on abrupt impact with the ground all at once prevents natural break-over and defeats normal mechanism.

Stone bruises, Dr. Teskey claims, are often not stone bruises: they are the effect of the coffin bone slamming into the sole and creating pain. The lack of torsion and flexion in the shod horse creates less circulation of blood and the heels begin to contract, creating pressure on the navicular bone. The steel shoe prevents flexibility and the intricate structure of the hoof and the way it reacts to concussion can become significantly compromised.

The nail holes used to apply shoes compromise insulation. In a study by Luca Bein, (1983, University of Zurich) a shod foot moving on asphalt at a walk is subjected to three times the impact force of an unshod foot moving on asphalt at a trot. Nail holes also allow the invasion of bacteria and fungi through nail tracks to inner wall and white line areas.

Corrective shoeing.

Corrective Shoeing For Under-Run Heels

There are no physiologic phenomena that direct hoof horn to grow towards steel, no matter how wide-set you set the shoes. Placing nails forward from the heel areas is erroneous. The geometry present in the hoof underpass definable mathematical changes upon weight bearing.

Shoes create a change in hoof momentum: shod horses suffer from an increased incidence of interference injuries. Lack of movement fails to drive the pump that promotes normal and adequate circulation in the hoof. More blood comes in and out of hoof with movement: negative pressure in every step pulls blood through the coffin bone and towards the hoof wall. Circulation is restricted in a shod hoof and is forced to travel via an alternative route.

Thermographic studies (Dr. H. Strasser, 2000) indicate that a shod hoof creates Ischemia (a less than adequate blood supply). Shod horses’ hooves are relatively cool and lower temperatures lead to reduced metabolism.

Less blood = less shock absorption (Bowker 1999)

Less blood = fewer nutrients = weaker, slower growth

The hoof is highly vascular: as dense as the liver and spleen.

As the coffin bone contracts, the navicular bone actually becomes pinched and the blood vessels are compromised. The navicular bone acts as a valve.

Most shod horses are toe strong and heel weak – people who think their horses cannot grow heel may be wrong – the heel may just be under-run. Heel problems are much more treacherous and much more diabolic than laminitis problems. Simply put, shoes are an important risk factor in the incidence of lameness of domestic horses. The data suggests they directly contribute to disease and handicap to a horse.

A contracted hoof capsule reveals the pressure created on the coffin bone.

Navicular Pain/Heel Pain

There is literally less space for the navicular bone in a contracted hoof. Navicular pain is from soft tissue damage and pinched coriums. Conventional farriery ignores the progressive deformities focusing on the symptom of lameness and shoes simply worsen the deformities. The only dependable way to bring the hoof back to soundness is to change the shape of the hoof by removing the shoes and implementing proper trimming.

Ossifications / Bony Changes

Ringbone is the result of chronic overstraining of soft tissue attachments and direct concussion to articular cartilage creating arthrosis of the pastern joint areas. Flexion in the hoof creates less stress on the pastern joint.

Sidebone is the ossification of lateral cartilage. Cartilage turns to bone because of constant injury or because circulation is diminished. Bone can and will actually decrease with the removal of shoes.

Conventional hoof care prepares a hoof for a laminitic crisis over time because pressure from steel on the outer wall causes shearing effect – the theory of peripheral loading.

Heel First, Then Toe

The heel must land first, and then rolling through the arch has to take place for the biomechanics of the hoof to work properly. Because so many horses are toe strong, they land with the toe – they are literally staying away from their heels. A strong digital cushion in the rear of the hoof is necessary for the hoof to be healthy. A steel shoe on a horse is akin to a board attached underneath the human foot.

Horses that trip or stumble may be trying to avoid landing heel first. It takes time to convince them – sometimes even after the pain is gone. The years of habit can be hard to break.

The same biochemistry is going on in the lamina as in Type II Diabetes patients. Nutrition is therefore very important. Historical traditional nutrition predisposes to insulin resistance/Type II Diabetes.

Conventional wisdom elevates heels – worsening stress on laminae – worsening circulation to the entire hoof. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) is not causing the rotation: it is the weight of the horse above it on a poorly aligned joint that drives the coffin bone downward after a weakening of the laminar connections.

The effect of raising a heel in a laminitic horse: more pressure on the coffin bone.

Elevating the heels to slacken the DDFT and stop further rotation actually helps the DDFT more easily accomplish this. Such a procedure is contra-indicated given an understanding of hoof biomechanics. Shoeing defeats what the hoof is designed to do: it worsens the problems. We simply cannot fix the problems using the same kind of thinking that formed them.

Checklist for Success (In This Order)

-        Nutrition: feed a high fiber, low carbohydrate diet.

-        Herd psychology: don’t underestimate the need for a horse to be in a herd.

-        Habitat & movement: keep the horse moving, using boots as needed to get the horse moving properly.

-        Hoof care from experience: mimic the self trimming hoof.

-        Teeth: a misaligned jaw will translate through the entire body.

-        Chiropractic: keep the horse in alignment.

-        Massage: keep the muscles healthy and supple.

-        Consistency: don’t stray from the plan.

See www.safergrass.org for info on good forage.

See it through and stick with it. It takes a long time to compromise the hoof and it can take a long time to fix it.

I’d like to express my gratitude to Kristin Walker for putting the clinic together and to thank the entire Teskey family for sharing their wisdom and their good home-grown food with us throughout the day.

A healthy foot in transition: this is the left hind leg of a neighbor and friend who is transitioning all six of her horses to barefoot.

Keep up the boot legging!

Kevin

Little bit of OZ in CO

Here is a quick report for all the Australians out there. 

Duncan McLaughlin and I have had a great time over the last three weeks.  We have driven across the western USA twice, ridden 100 miles together, applied hoof boots, trimmed feet, swam in Lake Tahoe, climbed 13,000 foot mountains, slack lined and used cattle shoots for dinner tables.  It's been a fun three weeks.  Duncan has been an incredible influence and leaves me a better horse person, better trimmer and better boot designer.

Thanks for the friendship.  Thanks for the great three weeks!

Duncan helping me trim one of my guys.

Duncan and I apply boots to one of the many horses at Tevis.

Duncan sharing some of the OZ wisdom at the Tevis awards.  Yes, that's a buckle in his left hand!

Little swim in Lake Tahoe after Tevis

13,000 feet on the top of Engineer.  Can't do that at home. 

Hoof boots, endurance races, triathlons and mountain bike races

The last month has been one of those months that looks impossible on paper, The type of month that's hard to tackle if you don't take it one step at a time.  It's been a blur of work, boots, travel, Tevis, Xterra Mountain Championship and TransRockies. 

Tevis was an incredible experience for barefoot horses and hoof boots.  EasyCare had 20 riders in the event and a 73% finish rate.  When you compare that to a 54 year average of 53% it's a huge accomplishment.  Almost 20% greater chance of finishing if you use hoof boots! 

With the crazy month in the books its full steam ahead with boot development and hoof boot improvements.  Here is what we are working on and what you can expect in the near future.

1.  New Gaiter Design for the Easyboot Glove.  We are very close to finishing the new design and just need to make a couple tweaks.  The new design has a new pattern, new materials and better fit.

2.  Larger Size Gloves and Glue-Ons.  The #3.5 and #4 size Easyboot Glue-On and Easyboot Gloves molds are complete.  I'll be testing next week and they will be released very soon.

3.  Glue-On Cuff.  With Tevis behind us the Cuff is front and center with testing.  The Glue-On boot that can be removed at anytime.  I'll post more soon.

4.  New Gaiters design for the Easyboot Epic, Easyboot Bare, Easyboot Grip and Easyboot Edge.  As soon as the Glove design is perfected we will move forward with a similar design on the boots above. 

5.  Glue-On application, adhesives and removal.  We will continue to tweak, refine and improve our glue-on procedures and materials.  Tevis taught us a great deal and we have several new adhesives and packing materials we are testing.

Lots of good stuff in the works. 

Transition Tuesday Week 13

Quoting Julie Suhr:

How Will You Know How Far You Can Go Until You’ve Gone Too Far?

 

Far and I took on the ultimate challenge last weekend and I daresay we are both stronger beings as a result of it, and I have yet to find my own answer to Julie Suhr’s question. I have felt drawn back to the Tevis trail since riding it two years ago on a wonderful horse leant to me by a generous friend. There is not a more challenging trail and there may only be a few trails on earth more beautiful and more liberating than the Western States Trail. I have yet to find them. I rode in Easyboot Glue-On boots this year, and the difference from riding in steel shoes was quite remarkable.

 

Far: who could resist?

 

Far is one of those horses you know will only cross your path once in your life. I am fascinated in his curious mind and by a fire that burns in him very deeply. He grew up in the large open spaces of the mountains in the interior of British Columbia and he loves life.

I have transitioned three of my own horses to barefoot in the last 13 weeks and I have been around many other horses in the area who have decided to make the move from steel shoes to barefoot. Each horse responds very differently to the change and Far has been the horse who has adapted the most easily of them all. His movement barefoot and in the Gloves and Glue-Ons seemed immediately more comfortable for him than in steel shoes, and his feet look better than they ever have. It seemed fitting, then, to take on the challenge of the Tevis trail: what better test for the latest in many years of equine boot technology?

 

A pre-ride to the American River Crossing.

Far and I managed to pre-ride most of the last 17 miles of the trail into Auburn in various sections with Leslie Spitzer in the week prior to the ride. We went up to Robie Park on Thursday – and I’m glad we did. We got a better choice of camp spots and it gave us a chance to get the Glue-Ons applied by Garrett and the EasyCare Team before pre-riding the first few miles of the trail. Far was a monster on the pre-ride on Thursday and I wondered if he would be too much for me at the start line with 180 horses around him. It weighed heavily on my mind.

The Glove fits.

 

 

Vetting in at Robie Park.

 

Race day: getting dressed at 3:40 AM.

 

The start was smooth – other riders were polite through the controlled walking section to the official start line. He had a quick moment of panic when he crossed the first footbridge and stepped his left hind off the bridge entirely – just long enough to realize he would not be able to touch the ground with that leg before pulling it back up and continuing on. That was one of the few times I looked down to see if the boot was still on – it was. I was further back in the crowd than I wanted to be – the speed was already slower than I wanted and I knew we had to get ahead of some of the groups if we were to ride to the strategy we had planned.

 

We managed to dart past about 40 riders before we got down to the ski-hill road: we were riding in tune with each other, each of us knowing what the other wanted. He felt strong – very strong – and we walked and trotted up the Squaw Valley towards Emigrant Pass before coming to the first water and hay at High Camp at 13 miles. He demonstrated almost none of the tripping I remembered from the previous year and the boots felt like they took the much of the concussion out of the hard-packed road. It was like jogging in running shoes.

Approaching High Camp.

 

We pulled into Lyon Ridge at 25 miles and trotted through. I refilled water bottles, let Far eat and drink for a few minutes and continued on up and over Cougar Rock. What a rush to be back on that rock with a horse I know and trust so well. The boots took all the slip out of the rock – it really felt like we were riding on suction cups across the rock face as we climbed. I looked back over my shoulder and enjoyed the breathtaking views. What a sight: those images will keep you coming back for more.

 

 

Cougar Rock

 

Far ate up the miles to Robinson Flat voraciously, flying down the road as it rose and sank all the way to the first hold. In the prior year the road seemed like an unforgiving section of trail because it was so hard. This year I hardly noticed because the foot lands so much softer in boots. I was soon sittting in the shade of a pine tree enjoying a tuna salad sandwich and a Starbucks Double Shot. My trusty crew made up of rusty, Bill and Leslie all know me and the horse well enough that i did not have to think.

 

Arriving at Robinson Flat.

 

Cooling off before presenting the vet at Robinson Flat

 

We walked and trotted our way down the 1,700 foot drop to the infamous Swinging Bridge. I got off and hiked the steeper sections. We spent a few minutes down at the bottom while he drank from the river and I crossed the bridge on foot. As the bridge began to swing ever so slightly, Far’s pace quickened considerably and I found myself holding him back behind me. For a moment I though he might start to run, but we got to the other side without incident and I remounted for the 1,565 foot climb up to Devil’s Thumb.

Far taking a pause from drinking under the Swinging Bridge

 

I stayed for ten minutes at the Deadwood vet check while he ate and drank before setting off down the 2,665 foot descent to Eldorado Canyon.I remembered the trail as being somewhat scary because of the drop-offs, but I have so much trust in this horse that it seemed like we were meant to be there, adding up the miles at a good speed. Far felt fresh and eager and we were soon approaching El Dorado Creek. Far tanked up on fresh water and then we set off back up the canyon towards Michigan Bluff.

I tailed him about 90% of the way up. I arrived at Michigan Bluff fairly dazed, but Far looked great and the trusty crew was there to give me encouraging words and steer me in the direction towards the Chicken Hawk vet check. We trotted along the road with the comforting feeling of the boots gripping the asphalt. Far felt like a freight train – strong and willing and eager. The boots just seemed to give more spring to Far’s already lofty gait.

We paused for a while at the Chicken Hawk vet check: he vetted through with lots of spring in his trot before setting off towards the milestone of Foresthill. Climbing up Bath Road is such fun – people are lined along the street in the chairs – they clap and cheer when you arrive. One of the people in the crowd asked me if I was using spray-on boots. Glue-Ons are probably the closest thing I suppose! Far vetted through without any issues and I enjoyed the hour hold immensely by eating a tuna salad sandwich and a huge bowl of home-made fruit salad.

 

Waiting to leave Foresthill vet check armed with headlamp and glow sticks.

 

I had fun this year trotting through the town of Foresthill– not even changing my speed as we trotted across the black-top, much to the shock of the volunteers who were convinced we would slip as we went from trail to road. I remember thinking the slight downhill grade last time was risky as the hind shoes slipped a little as we walked and trotted our way down to the trail. This year was very different – we skipped through town at a nice clip without even so much as a skid on the slick pavement.

Trotting through Foresthill.

 

I was fortunate to have more than an hour of daylight to get me through the most technical parts of this trail and I managed to make up some good time. I was grateful to catch up to Christina and to enjoy her good humor and good conversation. Dave Rabe would catch us a few miles before getting to Francisco’s in the soupy blackness along the rest of the California Loop. It was an enchanted night.

 

We arrived at the Francisco’s vet check at 11:19. The volunteers were punchy and the food for horse and rider was plentiful. The vets were plucky and so was my horse. Dave and Christina both agreed we should continue riding together, and off we set. When Christina got to the road, she trotted off and we stayed at a walk. We should have stayed with her: we missed the trail turn-off at the bottom of the hill and instead walked most of the hill up before realizing there were no ribbons and no glow sticks. We probably lost about 20 minutes in the process. We hand-walked and cussed our way back down the hill to the turn-off and rode the single-track trail for the three miles to the American River crossing.

Far pulled and pulled his way towards the Lower Quarry vet check. This was one of the points in the trail last time where my horse showed signs of soreness on the rocky road. Not this time. We vetted through at Lower Quarry at mile 94 at 1:56 AM. The volunteers were helpful and generous and each horse had the luxury of a loaned wool blanket on its rump. We paused for a few minutes, but the finish line in Auburn was within reach and we were eager to get there.

It would take us just over an hour to finish the last five miles of trail. We were riding to make sure the horses finished without issue and there are some technical sections down there in the blindness. Far marched his way up the final hill to the finish line. He drank, vetted through, and was pronounced fit to continue. The buckle was ours: what a horse: is he a horse!

 

At the awards ceremony receiving my buckle from the great Julie Suhr.

The shiny buckle.

If you have not taken on the challenge of the Tevis trail, you must do so: ignore the self-doubt. Riding that trail will make you feel more alive than you have ever felt. And next year, you can get a free ride entry from EasyCare if you do it in Easyboots.

 

Keep up the boot legging!

 

Your ticket to Tevis 2010.

Transition to hoof boots the day before Tevis 100

We get a bunch of questions regarding how long it takes to transition a horse away from iron shoes and into hoof boots.  How long will it take me to transition my horse to do a 50 mile event?  How long will it take me to transition my horse to do a 100 mile event?

Here's a short story from Laura Hayes and how she switched to Easyboots the day before Tevis.  Talk about a quick transition period.

"Bringing an unshod horse to Auburn to ride Tevis is a risk.  I am a retired farrier and had my tools, but had injured my back.  Worried that applying steel shoes would set me back and keep me from riding, I sought out someone to shoe Nerf for me.  Running into the Easy Care team was a fortuitous accident, and I was persuaded to try glue ons.

All I can say is WOW.  I loved the fact that Nerf could trot over rocks that I would not normally have trotted, and that he had grip on the slicker surfaces.  He glided effortlessly over things that I would not have thought possible without tripping or stumbling.  It felt good to not worry about stone and heel bruising.  The caulking that filled the bottom of his hoof, plus the tread on the boot gave a huge sense of security on the rugged Tevis trail.

We finished in 25th place, sound and happy with all four boots still as secure as when they were applied.

Thanks Garrett and Easy Care.  We are glue on boot believers!!

Laura Hayes and Rushcreek Nerf"

Off to TransRockies

Off to the Canadian Rockies to compete in the TransRockies.  Can't wait to see the beauty via mountain bike.

Hoof boots and feet after a 100 mile event

What do hoof boots and feet look like after a tough 100 mile event like Tevis?  Well, they actually look very good and from the looks could do many more 100 mile events.

Here are several photos of four boots that went through the 100 miles of Tevis.

All four boots look great.  Lots of tread remaining.  With all the rocks at Tevis I'm actually surprised they look this good. 

Inside view into the shells.  Most of the Adhere ends up on the hoof if they are applied correctly.  The Goober Glue peeled out of the inside.  These boots could be applied again with very little work.

When the Easyboot Glue-Ons are applied correctly the majority of the Vettec Adhere will stick to the hoof.  You can either leave the glue on the outside of the hoof wall or remove it with a rasp. 

Adhere on the hoof wall after removing the Easyboot Glue-On shells.


The hoof after removing the Adhere.  The feet look incredible.

The bottom of the feet look awesome.  No funk, no smell.  These boots and process really protect the foot.

Back feet a couple minutes after removing the hoof boots. No bruising, no abrasion, no issues.  I would love to compare booted feet to shod feet after the event.

Front feet after removing the glue-on shells.

EasyCare hoof boots have been used many times to complete Tevis over the years.  They have not only completed the event but have been used on the winning horse and the Haggin Cup horse.  The Easyboot Glue-Ons have now passed the test and will be another tool riders can use with confidence in the future.

Tevis by Sue Walz

Tevis was powerful this year. I was carrying my dad's ashes & for the first time riding Tevis without him leading my crew. I went into it not knowing if Raven was up to his previous ability. Two years ago he ran in the top ten all day before he was pulled at Quarry with a thorn in his knee. He was two years older now & had lost his competitive edge.

He started out strong from Pen One & we flew into Squaw Valley & up to Granite Chief. He was going well, but without his usual fire. We tackled Cougar Rock & he took it well! I was pleased to see how the EasyCare Glue On's gripped the rock! Definitely my Tevis hoof wear of choice from here on! Going into the canyons Raven was slower. After passing the dead horse I was much more cautious. What an awful accident & terrible for the rider! I had Raven walk most of the rest of the canyon trail. That put us behind in time. When we got to Chicken Hawk he just wasn't pulsing down well.  I had already planned to rider option at Foresthill if we got there.  So the pull came 4 miles earlier. I had a great crew! Kara & her mother, Pam. Sharlene & her family, I had met her at the Ed Ride. Also my friend Jeff came up last minute & helped! Steve jumped in when needed, too. Thanks to all!

I was satisfied with how the ride went. I'm retiring Raven to 50's & will concentrate on conditioning the mustang. Raven has been an incredible 100 mile horse.  It hurts to see that end.

Sue Walz

Not Tevis but.....

I did 100 miles this weekend on my gelding with Easyboot Gloves and Glue-ons!



We did two 50's at the Pink Flamingo Classic (www.pinkflamingoclassic.com) in Cascade, Idaho. The ride is managed by two of my very good friends and as always, was amazing!

I originally glued on 4 Gloves the Tuesday before the ride. It was super hot (high 90's) when I was applying them and I think the glue balled up at the toes in the front boots and began to set before I could get the foot fully seated in the boot. I finished the process thinking it would be fine, but didn't sleep well the next few nights knowing the breakover just wasn't right. I got to ridecamp the Thursday before the ride and took Eddy out for a spin. He just wasn't feeling great and kept tripping like he does in shoes. I decided to pull those front boots and after doing so immediately felt much better. That listen-to-your-gut thing is so true!! The next 100 miles in his Gloves he felt 100% normal and didn't catch his toes at all like he had the day before.

I put on his Gloves with the new prototype gaiters the morning of the ride, using athletic tape for an added precaution. It always takes a bit of effort to get the boots on in the mornings when it's cold but I have my technique down pat. The Gloves performed flawlessly that day, I couldn't have been happier! I took them off after finishing the ride at about 1:30 and iced legs, no stocking up what-so-ever! While the footing of this ride is amazing (NO rocks) a lot of it is on harder dirt forest roads, and tons of downhill. Still no swelling the next morning!

I did the same thing the next day and had the same results- perfection! The hinds stayed glued-on solid (in fact, they are still on) and the front Gloves stayed put 100% of the time and no rubbing! These prototype gaiters rock and I think will set the Gloves even further ahead! The boots and gaiters wore extremely well. I was planning on putting them aside for training rides after 100 miles on the decomposed granite soil but looking at them closer they look great! Definitely not ready to retire yet!



My gelding is big and powerful and hits the ground HARD, something that could be problematic with steel shoes due to concussion. The boots soften the blow and after doing a ride in boots he doesn't stock up like he used to in shoes. I couldn't be happier with these boots, and think my golden cross will be Gloves up front and Glue-ons behind. I have been wanting to move up in distances this year but my boot/foot problems were holding me back. I am finally feeling confident enough to plan for a hundred!! Thank you Garrett for sticking with me and Eddy and getting us all set up!

Happy riding, Amanda Washington

Transition Tuesday Week 12

Giving Back To The Community: EasyCare Supports Barefoot Horses At Tevis

Far Gets A Tevis Buckle on Week 12

Members of the EasyCare team work on Far at Robie Park.

I was very impressed last weekend with the outreach activities EasyCare offered at the 54^th annual Tevis Cup. Several members of the senior management team flew into California. They brought with them truckloads of Easyboot Glue-Ons, tools and glue necessary to apply boots to 17 competing horses at no cost to the riders.

Imagine the planning that goes into getting ready for Tevis: getting up to Robie Park and preparing you and your horse for one of the highest profile endurance races in the world. It is a lot of work, and takes rigorous planning and a lot of help from your friends. Garrett and Christoph, both of whom were entered in the race, spent much of Thursday afternoon and all day Friday selflessly rasping and trimming horses’ feet; prepping them for the gluing process and applying boots.

Members of the EasyCare team provided support and kept the materials and equipment flowing. Each of them was willing to take the time to answer questions and explain what they were doing. Every horse was given the attention and care it would receive as if they were riding the horse themselves. It was quite a process to witness and testament to a philanthropic corporate identity. There was quite an audience and some interesting discussion about the barefoot lifestyle, training and nutrition. The success of the booted horses is creating momentum for a broader development in natural horse care. I am excited to be part of the wave: there is so much to learn and so much to be gained.

I was one of the lucky riders to benefit from the boots and support – and one of the lucky ones to cross the 100-mile mark at the finish line at Auburn on Sunday morning with a sound horse. I had tested the Glue-Ons in race conditions at the Descanso Endurance Ride in May and up at Groom Creek over a 65-mile training weekend in the mountains. I already had enough confidence in them to use them at Tevis, but I confess that having the company management team applying them added another level of confidence. It also proved to me that this is a process any of us can easily master.

It had rained and hailed for some of the afternoon on Thursday – the ground was wet and Far’s feet were definitely softer and moister than they usually are in Arizona. Garrett and his team were set up down near the vetting area on a bed of straw. We had each made appointments and we all lined up at the right moment to get the boots fitted.

Deconstructing The Application of Glue-Ons

1. Each hoof was trimmed and balanced. Any toe or growth that needed to be adjusted was removed with a rasp.

2. Denatured alcohol was liberally sprayed onto the hoof wall and sole.

3. Once the foot was completely clean; each foot was dried for a few seconds with a heat gun (I bought mine at Ace Hardware for $25).
   

4. The hoof wall was rasped to give the glue more tooth.

5. Goober Glue was liberally applied to the sole and was spread out evenly using a spatula.

6. EquiPak Adhere was applied to the inside of the boot shell walls and the boot was then fitted to the hoof.

7. A thick bead of EquiPak Adhere was applied around the top of the boot to create a seal.
   

8. The horses were encouraged to stand quietly for 30 minutes to let the glue set up.

9. Any excess glue (or straw!) that had seeped up near the heel bulb was removed the next morning.

Far went on to ride some of the toughest 100 miles of wilderness trail I have ever had the pleasure to experience. We descended 23,000 feet and climbed 19,000 feet. We trotted at 14 mph up and down hard-packed service roads, we picked our way through boulder fields and bogs and we cantered through the forest trails. We waded through rivers, climbed cougar rock and stumbled our way along precipitous mountain trails in the thick, soupy darkness of night. We climbed and descended along precarious canyon trails no wider than a horse. We crossed blacktop roads at a full trot with the satisfying silence of a cushioned grip and not once did I ever wonder if the boots would stay on.

Removing The Boots

1. Using a long-necked flat head screwdriver, we pried the seal open and pushed the screwdriver down to the bottom of the hoof wall.

2. Using some force, we peeled the boot back all the way around the hoof.
   

3. We then pried the boot off. It took us no more than five minutes to remove each boot.
   

4. The Goober Glue did not stick to the sole of the hoof and it provided a very soft cushion to the base of the foot. The EquiPak Adhere lived up to its name: the seals remained unbroken and there was seemingly no moisture in the boot. There was no sign of rubbing or pressure on the heel bulb.

5. These boots are ready for another 100 miles.

Thank you, EasyCare staff, for allowing me to conquer one of the greatest and most liberating challenges of my life. A full account of my ride will follow next week.

Keep up the boot legging!

Kevin

 

 

Tevis 2009

Tevis 2009 was a special experience for me.  I have been away from the sport of endurance for many years and forgot about the relationships, friends and endurance family that goes back to early 1980.  Everywhere along the trail I saw friends and family from the past.  The hugs, handshakes and smiles were incredible and made the 100 miles of difficult trail flow by. 

My first Tevis experience was crewing for my father in 1982 and then I had the opportunity to ride as a junior in 1984.  In 2001 I got the run bug and did the Western States 100 mile run.  I now have 5 of 6 horse finishes and 1 for 1 run finish.

Heading into Robinson Flat with good friend and many time Tevis finisher Godfery Sullivan.  Godfrey was a VP at Apple and has helped me a great deal with EasyCare along the way.

My Tevis prep started months ago when I promised Duncan McLaughlin a horse for the event.  Duncan was coming from Australia so I knew I needed to get some horses ready as my main goal was to send him home with a buckle.  Duncan was to ride my horse GE Cyclone but a chain of events put him on GE Lady and Christoph Schork of GE Cyclone.  I was going to crew and then got a call from Kevin Waters.  Kevin wanted me to ride his horse Tahoe's Thunder.  The complicated horse swapping got more intense when Dave Rabe didn't vet through and Christoph, Kevin and Dave discussed some possibilities.  I was going to step down and Dave was going to ride Tahoe.  After further discussion Dave wouldn't let me give up my ride so we decided that Dave should ride Zell.  Zell is one of Christoph's backups.

The days leading up to Tevis were tougher than the event.  I had the opportunity to help many riders install boots and really educate each rider on the new glue-on techniques.  This took the majority of my time and the regular tack, crew and feed stuff for my own Tevis event were postponed until the late hours of the night. Duncan and Christoph were there every time I needed help. 

 Duncan and I install boots before the event.

Christoph and I install more boots.

Kevin, Duncan and I ended up riding together from the start.  Our strategy was simple.  Take care of the horses the first 60 miles and then start riding.  We all did a bunch of miles on foot, spent extra time in the vet checks and sacrificed our bodies instead of our horses.

Duncan taking on some fuel at Robinson.  He's a bit dirty!

The middle of the ride was a low point for Kevin, Duncan and I.  We all were a bit spent from doing the canyons on foot and each of us was behind on liquid and calories.  Although we all looked like crap the horses were looking great and continued to PR right through each check.  We continued on our plan and looked at Foresthill as the goal where we would start using the horses.  

Kevin coming into Chicken Hawk

Tahoe and I about to depart Foresthill.  Mom and Dad helping me get ready.

Foresthill was the turning point for all three of us.  We all ate well at the check point and the horses all looked great.  As we departed Foresthill in roughly 75th place I knew we were in for a great ride.  We trotted down the pavement in silence as the hoof boots absorbed the road.  All the horses were perky, forward and comfortable.

When I was kid we had a summer house in Foresthill and I know the California Loop section well.  We put Tahoe in the lead and we barreled down the trail in the dark.  We started passing riders and more riders.  The horses continued to move well and we continued moving up in position until the finish.  

All three of us came across the finish line getting pulled by Tahoe.  He was freight train from Foresthill in and got us all there safe.  We made it to the finish line but we still needed to vet through.  The horses all vetted and off we went for the victory lap!

Duncan with his buckle and the mic.

Kevin Waters shaking hands with Julie Suhr. 

Mission accomplished.  Boots and barefoot horses made a big statement.  Kevin is 1 for 1 at Tevis, Duncan is 1 for 1 at Tevis and Tahoe is now 9 for 9 in 100 mile events.

I want to thank my Mom and Dad for getting me into this crazy sport and for all the help along the way.  You guys are the bomb.  Brian, Gabe and Debbie (EasyCare Team) were amazing.  Christoph and Dian and the whole GE gang have been awesome teachers and great friends.  Sean and Tennessee Mahoney are now like family.  Sean, you are always one step ahead and the best hand I've been around.  Duncan McLaughlin was the reason I was here this year and came over and taught us all about feet, massage and horsemanship, Thank you Duncan.  Mike and Debbie thanks for the crew help.  Godfrey and Suzanne you are always there and the best crew.  David, Thank you.  And last thank you Kevin and Johanna.  Thank you for trusting me with the special horse and thank you for the friendship and support.

2010 will be crazy!  Everyone wanting to ride in four EasyCare hoof boots will be offered a paid entry by EasyCare.  Start riding in boots now and lets see if we can get to 50+ riders. 

PS- My legs may need a year to recover.

Sink or Swim

There are points in a company’s or an individual's life that are sink or swim moments.  Times when you have to stick your neck out and show your peers you will succeed or fail.  Tevis Cup 2009 was a sink or swim moment for EasyCare, hoof boots and in a way barefoot horses.

The Tevis Cup is arguably the toughest and most grueling one day horse event in the world.  Over the years it has a 54% completion rate, half of the riders never finish.  I know great horse people who have 5 or more starts and have never finished.

Christoph and Garrett apply Easyboot Glue-Ons before the event at Robie Park. 

I’m not sure of the total start numbers for the 2009 event (roughly 150) but EasyCare had the following riders start with Easyboot Glue-Ons, Easyboots, or Easyboot Gloves.  The list below is not inclusive because there were several other riders that I saw during the event that also used boots.

1. Kevin Myers #129
2. Marina Bredda #54
3. Laurie Birch #39
4. Sue Walz #191
5. Lucy Trumbull #170
6. Christina Kramlich-Bowie #112
7. Garrett Ford #5
8. Duncan McLaughlin #25
9. Tennessee Mahoney #119
10. Larry Cooper #59
11. Anton Reid #28
12. Christoph Schork #79
13. Kevin Waters #175
14. Dave Rabe #141
15. Laura Hayes #98
16. Kathy Webb #177
17. Megan Doyle #65
18. Allan Horn #104

Dave Rabe and Christroph Schork (two of the best in the sport) coming into Robinson Flat.

Original unaltered Easyboots also finished.  Dr Neel Glass did the Tevis several times back in the 70's in Easyboots as well.

Of the boot starters that I’m aware of 13 out of the 18 finished.  A 72% finish rate.  An awesome day compared to the 54% overall finish rate stats.  Two horses in the top ten.  Only 5 horses showed for Best Condition, 2 of the 5 that showed for Best Condition were booted in EasyCare boots.

1.  6th Place Tennessee Mahoney

2.  8th Place Megan Doyle

3.  22nd Place Anton Reid

4.  24th Place Christina Kramlich-Bowie

5.  25th Place Laura Hayes

6.  29th Place Garrett Ford

7.  30th Place Kevin Waters

8.  31st Place Duncan McLaughlin

9.  32nd Place Kevin Myers

10.  33rd Place Dave Rabe

11.  40th Place Marina Bredda

12.  59th Place Kathy Webb

13.  64th Place Allan Horn

Kevin Waters and Golden Ali coming into Chicken Hawk.

It was a great day for barefoot horses and EasyCare.  Results were impressive, we had a great completion rate, legs look amazing after the event, we were all happy.  Sink or Swim, We swam!

Tennessee and Salty at the awards.  6th place and looking great!  The smile on that gal says it all.

Tennessee showing boot wear after the 100 miles of rough trail.  Looks like the boots could do several more 100 mile events.