From The Horse's Mouth

Boot Maine-ia: 9/30/09

On Saturday the 19th, several fellow members of the Mid-Maine Equestrian Search and Rescue (MMESAR) unit visited me for a weekend of pleasure riding. Here is Joe, tied next to Zephyr to keep him company while I gave his front hooves a quick trim prior to putting Easyboot Gloves on. Even with a fresh trim, I had to go with the size 2s, the largest I have. Those flares on his hoof walls are really interfering with the fit. After trimming, we tacked up.

When we left the property we rode .3 of a mile up the paved road to the trailhead of the historic Ice Road trail, which was used many years ago to haul ice on horse-drawn sleds from Hancock Pond to local ice houses. The trail is one of my favorites, but I think I may be the only local horse person who uses it, so in the summer time it gets ragged. I’m not even sure it’s used for much snowmobiling in the wintertime! There’s some mud, a couple of short go-arounds for downed trees, and a few downed trees to step over. I have to be honest, I enjoy the obstacles, it makes for good training on surefootedness. Zephyr can, and does, trot most of that trail.

We crossed several paved roads on this trail, then came out on a paved road, which we followed for maybe half a mile until we reached a small river with drinking access next to the bridge. Zephyr sucked down about 3 gallons of water, I think! Even Joe got in on the action; Jill hadn’t been sure what he’d do when faced with water. It took him a minute but he got there!  Love this first picture…

Check out Joe’s Cavallo Simple Boots! Jill is considering switching to Easyboot Gloves, she liked the looks of those gaiters better than the ones on the SBs. The SBs are rubbing his heels so we spent some time discussing trimming for hoof boots, and the evils of hoof flares.

I had to lead through the next section of trail, it’s a really neat trail but not well known and the owner likes it that way. To keep it hidden, not much is done in the way of trail trimming. I hadn’t been through in about a year, so there was more dead wood than usual. Zephyr got to show off his mad skillz as a chainsaw horse! Not really, no chainsaws in sight… but when you can grab a dead tree in one hand, grab the breastcollar’s wither strap in the other hand, and, without steering, urge the horse forward while pulling at the dead tree (resulting in the tree breaking in half with a loud CRRACK and falling on the horse’s rump) with the horse staying calm, I think you’re entitled to brag. No pictures from this section, silly me.

We popped out on a lovely 2-mile stretch of dirt road. For a road with no houses on it, there was a surprising number of vehicles! All trucks, of course, given how rough the road eventually gets.

We emerged into the blueberry barrens and were all overcome with the sense of how lucky we were to have such great weather, great company, great horses, and great places to ride!  The footing was everything from sandy dirt to granite ledge, but Zephyr was quite comfortable in just his front boots.

This stone house is an old homestead. I wish I knew more about it than that! All I know is that it’s at the top of the hill, and from the far side, it has a killer view. You can see all the way to Bangor!

The trail back included a long uphill on a rocky section of the dirt road. I was pleased with how comfortable Zephyr was on the rocks, despite being barefoot on his hind hooves.

When we were almost home, we stopped at Hancock Pond for a drink and a splash. Zephyr’s boots did not make a squelching noise when Zephyr stepped out of the water this time, so I think the squelching is a good indication of when the boots are too tight in the heel!

When we got back home, the boots looked great. New gaiter style on the right hoof, old gaiter style on the left hoof (reversed in photo). Still not getting the new gaiter as tight as I want, but it’s better, and clearly it’s working.

All in all, I think we rode about 14 miles, and since we mostly walked, it took us about 4.5 hours.  A great day!

Transition Tuesday Week 20

Transition Tuesday Week 20:

That Was Then, This Is Now

A Warm, Late September Morning

I pulled Redford’s shoes 14 weeks ago and I’m still trying to justify my hesitation in doing so. With shoes he had a tendency to demonstrate some tender footedness over rocky terrain, even with shoes, pads and EquiPak. I was not convinced he would be a good barefoot contender.

Redford just before his shoes were pulled.

His feet were dry and the hoof capsule was beginning to look tubular and much longer than it should have been. The arid Arizona summer conditions were already beginning to take their toll on the moisture content in the sole, and the hoof was breaking away. We fixed the breaking hoof wall by adding some hoof cement.

When I first pulled his shoes his feet were tender for a while, but that soon changed as the feet began to retrieve their natural shape.

Redford’s front feet today.

I took this photo of his right front feet last night. His feet are rounder and the length of the hoof capsule is shorter. His feet are not dry or flaky or brittle, and there is a concave shape showing in the quarters of his hooves. He stands more squarely now than he used to, and I no longer need to use interference boots on him.

Look at the waves on the inside quarters: there is some funky stuff going on beneath the surface.

Red’s first week without shoes.

Compare the angles of the hoof in the photo above to Red’s feet today. His breakover is very different now and is continuing to change quickly.

One of the most noticeable factors in the transition process is the speed of hoof growth in working horses compared to the speed of those who are working irregularly. The hooves of the horses who are not working appear to grow at less than half the speed of the working horses. The horses who are working regularly are definitely making the transition more quickly.

Red’s right front foot in his first week barefoot (the redness is the Ricken’s hoof hardener). The separation of the hoof wall is the result of White Line Disease.

The same foot last night: he has made significant progress and the White Line Disease is almost completely grown out.

Red’s feet are so much better – even after four months of searing heat and no moisture. I’m looking forward to taking him to the Man Against Horse race this weekend in Prescott Valley. I went to the race in 2004 and had a great time so I’m really looking forward to going back. I’ll be riding him in Gloves because I plan to take him to the Grand Canyon XP on the following weekend in Glue-Ons and I don’t like to keep a horse in the glue-ons for much more than a week. Besides, the Gloves are so easy to put on and remove.

Riders and horses at the start of the race last year.

As a parting thought, it is interesting to compare this previously shod horse to a young horse who has never seen a steel shoe in his life. Rain has been with us for seven weeks now – he is three years old and a real pleasure to have around.

Rain’s feet: he spent most of his life in the Dulles area of Oregon. Look at the width of his frog.

I am fascinated by the lack of contraction in the heels of this young horse. His frog is nice and wide and the hoof shape is round. I wonder if the other horses in the herd will get to this point? The striations on the base of his foot are from ponying him last evening in Gloves along our road. We have been working him mostly barefoot, but we also want to get him used to the boots.

Rain after his evening feed.

Rain likes play with his feed tub while he waits for the other horses to finish. Last evening he put it on top of the barrels in the round pen. I’m hoping to teach him to do the dishes before the New Year.

Keep up the boot legging!

Kevin

2010 hoof boot product line up and EasyCare catalog

The 2010 EasyCare catalog is in the works.  It's all coming together quickly and will include many improvements to the current hoof boot line up and a couple surprises.  The HiTie will once again be EasyCare line up.  We are excited to incorporate the HiTie back into the product mix and plan to add a couple new HiTie accessories. A new HiTie website will be up shortly at www.hitie.com. 

The 2010 year is shaping up to be a good one.  Our new catalog and hoof boot line will be announced at the WESA dealer trade show.   We will also attend several US and international consumer shows.  Look for our 2010 tradeshow and event schedule to be updated and posted soon.

The process of gathering good images for the company catalog website, catalog and advertisements is always fun.  I've added a couple of the images Gabe and I captured this weekend.

EasyCare Hoof Boots and Football

With the college and NFL seasons in full swing, there has been many EasyCare hoof boot sightings. 

The Kansas City Chief's mascot "Warpaint" was spotted in Boa Horse Boots the opening weekend.

USC's Traveler has been spotted in Old Mac's.  

Traveler has also been seen in Easyboots.

Boa Horse Boots on the Horsemen Arena Football mascot. 

Crowd control at the NFL and college games is performed by mounted officers using EasyCare hoof boots.

Let us know if you see any EasyCare sightings this football season.  Send photos!

Bryce Canyon report from Kerry Greear and Hawk. 1st place five day horse!

I had not done an endurance ride since Ft. Schellbourne.  Life just sometimes gets in the way of our fun and the endurance ride our family manages, the Ft. Meade Remount, took many hours in July.  But the lure of motorcycles including riding dirt bikes in the Dixie and attending the vintage races outside SLC as well as the beauty of Bryce and Zion convinced my husband, Mike, to head south with sister Colleen and me to Bryce.  I was also excited to see Raven, my granddaughter, who lives in Cedar.

We left the Black Hills on Saturday and did the 50 at Happy Jack (Laramie, WY) on Sunday.  That was beautiful, lots of mist in the am and beautiful rock formations.  We used Gloves with Goober Glue for cush and finished 3rd and won BC.  Hawk looked and felt great, always wanting to go but never pulling on me.  The cush from the Glue was evident on crushed granite roads we spent some time on during the first 25 mile loop.  In 2005 I did that ride in steel and could feel Hawk's feet sliding around----that day the boots made for a great ride for his legs!

We traveled to Bryce on Monday and Tuesday then Hawk was able to rest Wednesday while we explored Bryce.  I was delighted to reconnect with Brenda Benkley whose company and horse's gray butt I enjoyed on the California Loop at Tevis in 2005.  That evening we hooked up with Garrett Ford and "the crew" and 1-2-3-4 all GlueOns were in place with Goober Glue for cush and Adhere to hold on the boots.  I loved the "seal" of Goober Glue to prevent any sand from entering the boots. 

Thursday through Monday Hawk and I went out every day with the goal of finishing and having a good ride.  Hawk and I have almost 3,000 miles in endurance together plus about that in trailriding.  He knows what to expect from me and I know what to expect from him.  He is awesome on trail winding around, I always go slowly on rocky downhills and get off and let him follow me on most downhills.  Bryce had quite a few areas that even I can "jog" to take stress off Hawk's legs.  We were steady travelers most days and finished in the top 10 on 4 of the 5 days.  After day 4, I knew we would be in contention for the fastest overall time but it didn't alter my plan----steady and careful.  I finished 5th day 5 with Rick Leonard while our horses wanted to canter and we talked to them about our willingness to wait another ten minutes for a cold beer!

The Glue Ons not only stayed in place well, they sealed out any sand.  The cush was evident in Hawk's movement on hard road and over considerable rock during the 250 miles.  We iced, liniment, hand walked him every evening but he had almost no fill.  We battled a large bite under the saddle area that his sister gave him prior to the trip but my Specialized Saddle and lots of Desitin helped that and we were able to prevent the scratches that affected many horses. 

Bryce is a beautiful ride with significant changes in terrain, scenery throughout every day.  There is wonderful water and grass along the way for the horses.  Lunches were in wonderful places and the atmosphere throughout the entire ride was positive, fun and focused on the horses.  Mark was one of the best vets I've ever experienced at a ride.  There were a few incidents and injuries during the ride but all in all very few when you think of how many days, miles, and the type of terrain.  As a nurse practitioner, I try to always focus on prevention whether in camp or on the trail.  I was glad I didn't have to utilize my skills to any degree on the trail.

Hawk once again showed his morab "morability" on this 300 mile endurance adventure.  Now he is back to running with his friends in the pasture, being a ladder when I see a few apples I want to pick, and babysitting kids and new riders.  We do plan to go to the Moab ride and try to do all 3 days.

THANKS FOR THE GLUE ONS AND GOOBER GLUE.  What innovative products that ARE WORKING.  I'm a believer.

Hawk (Summerwood Silverhawk) and Kerry in the Black Hills of SD

First and BC at Calero Classic

Jeremy Reynolds and Mya were first place and Best Condition at the Calero Classic. 

Amazing results for the Easyboots product come in daily.  If we haven't posted your results or story please hang tight and we will post soon. 

Transition Tuesday Week 19

Transition Tuesday Week 19:

Our Own Little Paddock Paradise

One of the items Dr. Tomas Teskey talked about at some length during his presentation in Arizona in August was the importance of keeping a horse moving to ensure a healthy hoof. In Jaime Jackson’s latest book, Paddock Paradise, A Guide To Natural Horse Boarding, he describes the methodology used in a paddock design to imitate the constant movement of horses in the wild.

Lined up just after the morning feed enjoying their Bermuda hay.

We used this theory to inspire our own paddock set-up last week. We have five horses that are using one large paddock just over one acre in size. We are located on the outskirts of northeastern Scottsdale, Arizona, which means there is no grass: just lots of decomposed granite, several trees for shade and a wide sandy wash that runs through the property and makes for a comfortable horse bed at night.

One of several Ironwood trees on the property: they create useful shade during the day in the hot desert sun. The bark also withstands anything a herd of horses’ teeth can do to it.

We secured the feed tubs to the fence along one of the short sides of the rectangular paddock. It is directly opposite the water trough, which means the horses have to cross the entire long side of the paddock to get to the water. With daytime temperatures well over the 100 degree mark all the way into September, the horses drink a surprising amount of water. That means they are adding up miles by crossing back and forth along the paddock, through the wash and back up to the water countless times during the day.

We have a three-year old gelding, Rain, who just came down from Oregon in August. He brought with him all the excitement and anticipation of working with a young horse – including the need for a roundpen. We usually set up the roundpen in a different area than the paddock, but with the theory of a paddock paradise in mind, the roundpen is now smack bang in the middle of the horses’ area.

Looking north: the 60’ roundpen is set up in the middle of the paddock.

The design works well because the horses all have to go around the roundpen to get to and from the water or hay. When herd dynamics dictate movement, the horses closer to the bottom rung often get to go all the way around the roundpen to get to the other feed tubs. It has become quite entertaining to watch. They run around the perimeter of the paddock in the cool morning temperatures, and we have been encouraging them to do the same at sunset. They can put on quite a show and really get some speed up.

Looking southwest: the water trough is under the tree near where the trailers are parked. A soft, sandy wash separates the water from the rest of the paddock.

Another view looking to the southwest with a better view of the roundpen. The hay barn and stalls are off to the right.

We use our stalls twice a day to feed soaked, rinsed beet pulp with low starch feed and vitamins. The only other time we have used the stalls is if a horse is injured or is being newly introduced to the herd. 

Looking northwest – the lineup. Rain is in the center of the photo.

Speaking of movement, we have enjoyed adding Rain, the young gelding, to the herd. It is nice to work with a horse that has never had shoes on: his feet are wonderfully round with large, flat frogs. We ponied him around the area on Sunday for the first time and got him used to the sensation of working in Gloves. He did just over a mile at a walk and trot and did really well. He needs to lose a few pounds and this should help the effort. Redford is the most diplomatic of the horses in the herd, so he got used for ponying after a ten mile loop into Tonto Forest from the house. I snuck in a ride on Far – it is the first time I have been on him since Tevis.

Redford and Rusty ponying Rain. You can see both horses are barefoot in the hind and both are wearing Gloves on the fronts.

For more reading about Jaime Jackson, visit www.paddockparadise.com. For more information on the Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices, go to www.aanhcp.net. For links to hoof measuring tips and other hoof protection products, check out the EasyCare website here.

Keep up the boot legging!

Kevin

A week of firsts

Alyxx had a week of firsts! A great week of family and work wrapped in one. 

We went straight from a family vacation at Lake Powell to the Virgin Rim Endurance Ride.  More than half of the horses on day one and day two were fitted in Easyboots.  Easyboots won the first and second day and also received best condition on both days.

Alyxx water skies at 2 1/2 years old.

Alyxx catches her first fish.

Alyxx hits the slide.

Alyxx crews for mom and dad at Virgin Rim.  Mom finishes 3rd (Easyboot Glue-Ons) and dad 4th (Easyboot Gloves) on the first day.  GE Cyclone gets Best Condition (Easyboot Gloves).  Christoph Schork and Dian Woodward tie for first place.  Kevin Waters in 5th place.  First five horses in Easyboots. 

Alyxx helps the Duck mark trail.

Cyclone and I navigate an ocean of sheep.

Lisa and Inferno.

On the second day I had the opportunity to ride with Kevin Waters and his awesome horse Tahoes Thunder.  It was a special day for Kevin as he logged his 20,000 endurance mile.  Kevin and Tahoe were first place and best condition.  Congrats to Kevin and Tahoe!

Kevin and Tahoe lead us out.

New EasyCare Team Member- Miriam Rezine

EasyCare is proud to announce the addition of Miriam Rezine to the EasyCare Team.  Miriam will be spending September and part of October in Durango, Colorado to learn about the EasyCare hoof boot line.  She will be using the entire line of hoof boots on several horses and will also compete in a couple endurance events.  In mid October she will move to Tucson and join the EasyCare customer service team.

Lisa Ford (front) and Miriam Rezine head up a trail in Durango.

"My name is Miriam Rezine, I am 24 years old and just graduated from University California State Monterey Bay with a degree in Human Communications. I have been riding horses since I was about 6 years old. I have trained in several different equine disciplines including western pleasure and hunter jumpers but my heart has always been in endurance. I competed in my first limited distance ride when I was 13 years old, and although I took a long break to explore other types of riding, I am glad to finally return to the trails I love so much. 

I am very excited to join the EasyCare team and look forward to helping customers!"

Transition Tuesday Week 18

Glue-Ons: Even You Can Put Them On

Ten Easy Steps to Glue-On Bliss

Gloves: think of the miles ahead.

It has been an exciting season for Easyboot with the introduction of the Gloves and the Glue-Ons to the market. I remember a few people riding in the boots at Death Valley at the end of December. Then there were some serious contenders using them at Old Pueblo in southern Arizona in March. I watched a fitting demonstration there for the first time. I was intrigued and felt for the first time that I might even try them for myself one day.

 

Making the leap to booted success.

Fast forward to the revered Tevis cup in August and the unequalled success of the Glue-Ons there, then on to Bryce Canyon XP five weeks later where boot users consistently predominated in the top ten, and took home the best condition award on four out of the five days. Last weekend the boots got the crowning glory of taking first place and best condition at the National Championship 100 mile event, and best condition at the 50 mile event. It sure makes you think about the benefits of barefoot principals and booted protection in the sport we like to call home. I think Gloves are an excellent product for training and 50 mile races. I think Glue-Ons are also worth serious consideration and I have really enjoyed every one of the low maintenance rides I’ve had with them.

 

A freshly applied set of Glue-Ons

 

There were line-ups at Garrett’s rig every evening at Bryce XP for Glue-Ons to be put on competing horses. I chatted with some of the horse owners and bystanders about the process of putting on the boots during the week. Although the Garrett/Christoph team make putting the boots on look pretty swift, I can assure you that putting on the boots is not beyond your own capacity. Let’s recap my own experience before leaving for Bryce. I am not a hoof care professional – I’m not even that handy! But I did manage to get each horse booted in 45 minutes. Click here for the company’s official instructions on preparation, application and removal of the boots.

 

1. Get the right sized boot: order a Fit Kit based on simple hoof measurements and then order the boots that make sense for your horse.

 

 

 

2. Make sure your horse has had a trim recently and the feet are in good order. Pick the feet and brush off any additional residue with a wire brush.

 

 

 

3. Using a rasp, rough up the outside of the hoof wall to give the glue additional tooth.

 

 

 

4. Dry the hoof wall using a heat gun.

 

 

 

5. Extract five pumps of Goober Glue into a Tupperware container and mix glue according to the current recommendations by Chris Martin.

 

 

 

6. Using a spatula, apply the Goober Glue to the underside of the hoof.

 

 

 

7. Apply EquiPak Adhere to the inside wall of the shell. It helps to have someone else to hold up the horse’s leg, but you can also use your thigh to hold up the leg.

 

 

 

8. Put the boot on, make sure it is on straight, and then lift up the horse’s opposite leg. Use your finger to make a seal with the bead of glue around the top and rear of boot. Hold the leg up for 60 seconds, then release.

 

 

 

9. Have fun: go ride a five-day or a 100 and enjoy booted comfort for horse and rider.

 

 

 

10. Take off the boots within ten days using a large flathead screwdriver – the hoof will obviously be healthier if it can breathe.

 

You may have a slightly harder time taking them off than putting them on, but that is actually the point of the exercise, isn’t it?

 

Keep up the boot legging!

 

Kevin

Easyboots top ten and BC at the 50 mile AERC National Championship

Easyboots had another great day at the 50 mile AERC National Championship.

1.  Heather Reynolds was 3rd place and also awarded 50 mile Lightweight Nation Champion!  Heather and MaKazin also received the FEI Best Condition. 

Heather and MaKazin

2.  Jeremy Reynolds was 4th place overall.

3.  Christoph Schork was 8th place overall.

4.  Dian Woodward was 11th place and was also awarded 50 mile Heavyweight Nation Champion!

5.  Dave Rabe was 45th place overall.

There were several other riders that I believe were in Easyboots but I didn't list them because I'm not 100% sure.  Read more about the event here. 

Punch marks on the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-Ons shells?

We did some mold revisions to the Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Glue-Ons last month.  The purpose the of the revisions was to add more thickness to the toe area of the shells.

I just noticed the front punch marks were eliminated from the shells when we did the mold revisions.  The front punch marks are used to install Power Straps on the shells. The punch marks have been added back to the outside of each shell but we do have some inventory in circulation without the punch marks.

This is what the front punch marks should look like. 

This is what a shell looks like without the front punch marks. 

If you receive an Easyboot Glove that does not have punch marks at the front it is still very easy to install a Power Strap.  Simply put the punch inside the shell and punch in the middle of the recessed area.

Punching the hole for the Power Strap from the inside.  No outside punch marks needed. 

Easyboots win BC at AERC 100 Mile National Championship!

Just heard that Monk won BC at the AERC 100 mile National Championship!  Congrats to Monk, Chris Martin and Lindsay.  In addition a big congrats goes to Chris for thinking outside the box and developing new training methods.  Chris can also be thanked for testing and developing Goober Glue. 

It's been a crazy summer for wins and BC's in hoof boots!

Easyboots win AERC 100 mile National Championship!

Monk owned by Chris Martin and ridden by Lindsay Graham win the AERC 100 mile National Championship in Easyboot Glue-Ons applied with Goober Glue.  Chris and Monk have been using Easyboots and Goober Glue for many months with great success. 

Chris is responsible for tinkering with different types of adhesives and now manufactures and sells Goober Glue.  

Congrats to Monk, Chris, Lindsay and Goober Glue.

Monk and Lindsay finish first at the AERC National Championship in Easyboot Glue-Ons and Goober Glue!

New testimonial section on website

EasyCare has a new testimonial section on the main website that allows consumers to upload testimonials quick and easy.  Log on and submit your Easyboot success story now.  All qualifying testimonials receive a free hoof pick!

Garrett and Cyclone on the way to a best condition in the Easyboot Gloves.

Transition Tuesday Week 17

Boots At The Front And At The Back

Bryce XP 2009

Bryce Canyon XP.

I managed to squeeze a couple of days between work obligations to get up to the Bryce Canyon XP this weekend. I came home feeling blissed out after seeing so many beautiful vistas.

Preparing a boot for application.

We used Easyboot Glue-Ons for the ride. We applied them on Thursday morning before work and left on Friday morning to make the 8.5 hour drive to Bryce. Some riders seem hesitant about applying the Glue-On boots themselves, but let me tell you: if I can put them on, anyone can! Each horse took no longer than 45 minutes each to apply the boots. More on that next week.

Not all of the trail looked like this, but I was pleased to be in boots.

I rode with Rusty on Day 3: I took Redford and Rusty rode Rocky. We used some experimental glue on the boots and they held up really well. We started at the front of the pack and kept up a steady pace all day. The horses moved out nicely over the rocky roads and seemed to have a lot of fun.

I estimate that about a third of the riders each day were using boots.

We finished in 8^th and 9^th place. It was supposed to rain most of the day, so the Duck changed the trail and kept us on good footing trails. It made for a fast ride: we finished in a smoking 5h20. Both horses looked fantastic at the end. We showed for Best Condition, even though the Duck said we did not have a chance against Garrett! His horse looked awesome.

There was lots of green grass along much of the trail.

It is fascinating to me to see that boot users are spread throughout the pack. I used to have the sense that boot users tended to ride a little slower and accumulate more miles. Now the boot users are at the front of the pack; at the back of the pack and spread out nicely in between.

Garrett applies boots to a horse after dark.

After the ride meeting, Garrett spent a couple of hours applying boots to some first-time Glue-On users and to a couple of converts. He and Christoph Schork worked well after dark and managed to gather quite an audience.

I rode Redford again on Day 4 and had a blast. I enjoyed the stunning scenery and the good company of strangers out on the trail. The views really are quite breathtaking, and the long day was full of many moments of pure exhilaration. Dian Woodward and Christoph Schork tied for first place and Dian got BC. They were two of at least four riders who finished in boots in the top ten. Barb Debi got third place in her first ever Glue-On attempt, and Kevin Waters was not far behind her, also in Glue-Ons. Kevin was riding the same horse he rode at Tevis, and would go on to ride all five days on him.

The views make your heart sing.

The scenery makes you feel free and very much alive.

Boot users everywhere.

Redford finished strong at about 4:20 PM – he was a monster most of the day. I came home on Monday – Day 5. It was a drag to leave all those wonderful trails before the ride was over, but I am glad I made it up there and I had to get back to work. When I got Redford off the trailer, I was surprised at how little swelling he had in his legs. He used to get huge windpuffs when I rode him in steel shoes. There is almost no swelling in his legs now: the reduction of concussion obviously makes a significant difference.

Keep up the boot legging!

Kevin

 

Easyboots perfect at Bryce Canyon XP?

What a perfect week for Easyboots at Bryce Canyon XP!

Day #1

-1st Place Tie- Christoph Schork (Easyboot Glue-ons) and Garrett Ford (Easyboot Gloves).
-Best Condition- GE Cyclone in Easyboot Gloves.

Day #2

-1st Place - Dian Woodward (Easyboot Glue-ons)
-2nd Place Christoph Schork (Easyboot Gloves front and Easyboot Glue-ons back).
-Best Condition- Belesemo Inferno in Easyboot Glue-ons.

Day #3

-1st Place Tie- Christoph Schork (Easyboot Glue-ons) and Garrett Ford (Easyboot Gloves).
-Best Condition- GE Cyclone in Easyboot Gloves.

Day #4

-1st Place Tie- Christoph Schork (Easyboot Glue-ons back and Easyboot Gloves front) and Dian Woodward (Easyboot Glue-ons).
-Best Condition- TC Moonshine in Easyboot Glue-ons.

Day #5

1st Place Tie- Christoph Schork (Easyboot Glue-ons) and Dian Woodward (Easyboot Glue-ons).
-Best condition- We don't know yet?  If the best condition horse is wearing Easyboots it will make for one heck of a perfect week.

Overall 5 Day Best Condition Horse

Kevin Waters and his awesome horse Golden Ali.  Ali was fitted with Easyboot Glue-ons.

Overall 5 Day Fastest Combined Time

Kerry Greear and her horse Hawk.  Hawk was fitted with Easyboot Glue-ons.

The Bryce Canyon XP event should give all the barefoot and hoof boot doubters something to think about. 

Easyboots excel at the Bryce Canyon XP

I just returned from the first three days of the five day Bryce Canyon XP.  Over the years this has been my favorite event and I was anxious to return.  I spent the afternoon before the event helping riders with boots and was shocked at the number of riders in Easyboots, Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Glue-Ons.  The three days I attended the event there were 5+ riders in the top ten each day and I would guess close to 20 riders in Easyboot products each day. 

On the first 50 mile day Christoph Schork and I rode the majority of the day together.  We ended up tieing for first place.  Christoph rode Double Zell in Easyboot Glue-Ons and I rode GE Cyclone in Easyboot Gloves.  GE Cyclone was awarded Best Condition.

A good look at Cyclone's Gloves at the first vet check.  Cyclone is my main horse and has been ridden all year in Easyboot Gloves.

On the second day I spent the majority of the day riding with Kevin Waters, Miriam Rezine and Linda Morelli.   Kevin and his horse Golden Ali were using Easybooot Glue-Ons, Miriam was riding my horse Spyder in Easyboot Glue-Ons, Linda was using Renegades and I was using Easyboot Glue-Ons on Belesemo Inferno.  Kevin, Miriam and myself were all using glue-ons applied with new glue-on techniques or adhesives.  All boots that were applied with the new techniques performed perfect.

On day two, Dian Woodward finished first (Easyboot Glue-Ons) and Christoph Schork finished second (Easyboot Glue-Ons on the back and Easyboot Gloves on the front).  Miriam finished 4th, Linda finished 5th, I finished 6th and Kevin Waters finished 7th.  Belesemo Inferno was awarded best condition.

Kevin Waters and Ali trucking down the trail.  Kevin runs darn good for an old guy.

Kevin (off the horse) and Linda head down the trail.

Miriam and Alliance under the pink cliffs. 

Christoph and I rode the third day together and again we tied for first place.  GE Cyclone was awarded best condition again. 

Christoph tailing up a climb.  The root system on the dead tree behind Christoph was pretty cool. 

The highlight of the week was hanging out with old friends, making new friends and touching base with Dave and Anne.  Dave's trail marking crew is now hanging ribbons on cows ears.

Yes, that is a ribbon attached to the cows ear!  Yes, its an XP ribbon with a clothes pin. How do you follow that trail?

Easyboots are kicking butt at Bryce Canyon 5 day

Easyboots are kicking butt at the Bryce Canyon 5 day event. 

1.  Day #1.  1st place and best condition.  5 or 6 horses in the top ten.
2.  Day #2.  1st place and best condition.  6+ horses in the top ten.
3.  Day #3.  1st place and best conditiion.  6+ horses in the top ten.

Details and photos to come.

Easyboot Gloves In The Back Country!

Tamera Arnold of Better off Bare put Easyboot Gloves to the test in the back country!  She recently went on a week long ride in Ashley National Forrest in Northeastern Utah.  10 horses logged appoximately 45 miles in their Gloves.  They rode through large meadows with boggy sticky mud and never lost a boot! Tamera says in the past it was so bad that they'd loose 2-3 shoes!  They also rode in some pretty rocky terrain.  "By far this was the best trip ever taken with any booting product," she says. 

Her photos below say it all.  Thanks for sharing your photos and Glove success with us!

  

New hoof boot video page

We have a new hoof boot video page up and running.  The page allows you to view sizing, fitting and removal by each product.

Take a look at the new page here. 

Transition Tuesday Week 16

Week 16:

A Taste of Research and Development at EasyCare

Prototype boots at 10,800 feet.

There is magic up in the mountains north of Durango,Colorado as you head towards Silverton. It is the kind of magic you felt all around you when you were a kid. It creates in you an awe of your surroundings and a sense that you are more alive and more aware than you have ever been. The aspens rustle in the wind; their white bark leaves a chalk memory on the palm of your hand as you brush by it and the contrasts of primary colors stimulate your eye. The peaks stitch their patchwork from one valley into the next, calling you ever upwards towards their summit. It is powerful stuff.

I had the privilege this weekend of seeing some of the field testing going on behind the scenes at EasyCare. I was impressed with the ongoing commitment of the team to perfecting the product and testing the various design elements to their limits. But more than that, there is genuine excitement about the current technological advances in boot design and what the evolution means for us all, whether we are hardcore endurance enthusiasts or riders who just love to be out on the trail with our horses. We all benefit from this.

The staff at EasyCare are testing all kinds of subtle and not so subtle prototype component changes in the Gloves as well as various (and virtually limitless) choices of adhesive for applying the Glue-Ons.

A boot user’s fantasy. Each of these boots will play their own role in shaping the evolution of the Easyboot product line.

All but one of the horses we rode this weekend have been barefoot for some time: their feet look healthy; they have good hoof angles, nice wide frogs and good concavity to their soles. One of the horses used for boot testing was shod until two weeks ago and his feet are remarkably different. It was good to see first hand that these boots work for feet at both ends of the spectrum of transition.

Cleaning up the feet on the horse that is new to barefoot.

Work started with a little clean-up of the feet. A hand grinder was used to balance out the hoof wall: it was fascinating to see this method and seemed to be less challenging than using a rasp, providing you knew what you were doing. The feet were cleaned with a wire brush – no additional cleaning or drying took place.

The hoof wall is rasped in preparation for gluing on the boot. It will be interesting to observe changes in the angle of the hoof wall as this horse adapts to barefoot.

We removed Glue-Ons from one of the horses before re-applying a different set. This shoe had Goober Glue applied in the sole area. You can see how this boot could be re-used: the Goober Glue peeled right off the boot, leaving very little need for clean-up.

This is one of the horses that has been barefoot for some time. The feet are healthy and hard even in the wetter pasture environment of the Durango valley.

Compare the angles and lack of waves at the coronet band here to the foot of the gray horse, above, that is just now transitioning. Which foot do you want to put miles on?

The EasyCare team leaves no stone unturned: look at all the various types of glue they are experimenting with.

We tried several different types of glue on several feet with the Glue-Ons. Some of the glues require an additional step in mixing before applying, and some just go straight on the foot out of the tube. Each glue took a different length of time to set up, and each glue had a different index of softness once it had set up. Check back at the EasyCare website to get the most current fitting and application advice.

On with the boot.

I got to ride Cyclone – what a cool horse. He had some prototype Gloves on the front and Glue-Ons on the back to test a couple of the glue options.

We rode many miles at great speed – trotting and cantering up and down some very rocky trails.

We pushed the horses and the boots all weekend. Try as we might, none of us could lose a boot.

These were some fun twisting trails – we even came upon some elk.

The trails in the Durango area provide challenging mountainous terrain with a variety of conditions to ride in.  There is a good combination of rock, water, mud and everything in between.

Day Two

Cyclone’s feet get a good soaking in the deep mud and water.

There are some remarkable views from up there.

I came home feeling very alive and brought with me some good memories: 20-somethings doing yoga in the street at the farmer’s market; splendiferous mountains; good food; clean air: a healthy lifestyle for humans and horses alike.

Do the right thing: keep up the boot legging and create your own magic.

Kevin