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

Comments

[gene limlaw]

Chris Martin's reccomendations is where I got confused. They use GG on walls of boot but say keep it off sole.

[Kevin Myers]

Gene,

Sorry for the confusion. I think it makes most sense to use GG on the sole and another product on the boot walls. But I have also tried GG all around and it worked very well.

Clear (as mud)?