From The Horse's Mouth

Easyboot Glue-On Cuff Update

The Easyboot Glue-On Cuff continues to move forward and we have made some mold and hardware modifications that will make application and removal very simple.  For those of you that are not familiar with the Easyboot Glue-On Cuff, the "Cuff System" gives horse owners the ability to use Glue-On shells but gives them the ability to remove and apply them at any time.  The unique Cuff System allows the horse to be barefoot at all times and the Easyboot Glue-On shell can be slipped on the hoof for riding.  Slip the shells on before riding and then remove them and let the horse be barefoot when the ride is done.  Application and removal of the shell when using the Cuff System is done is less than one minute per boot.

The Cuff System will be a huge step forward for all the people who have reservations about leaving a glue-on boot in place for extended periods of time.  The low profile shell fits below the hairline and the system weighs almost half the weight of a standard iron shoe.

Here is a short video showing how easy it is to apply the shells once the Cuff has been applied to the hoof. 

I've made a couple changes to the hardware that will allow users to do the application without a screw driver.  The new thumb screw (pictured below) can be tightened and loosened with your fingers and the large head size eliminates the washer.

Couple photos of the new thumb screw.

The new hardware and molds are about done.  Look for the Cuff System to be out late summer.  Some of the Team Easyboot Members may have them at events in early July.

I've seen many cool hoof boot concepts over the years but this is one of my favorites!

Easyboot Glue-On Cuff Removal

The Easyboot Glue-On Cuff test is complete.  The Glue-On Cuff adds a very unique application method to the Easyboot Glue-On shell and allows horses to remain barefoot and still have the benefits of a below the hairline boot.  I'm excited about the possibilities and believe this will be one of EasyCare's biggest patents. 

My trimmer is coming tonight so I decided to remove the "Cuffs" from Cyclone's front feet.  The Cuffs have now been on for a touch over 4 weeks/30 days, and the bond is still exceptional.  The first couple photos show the bond before I removed them.

I used a screw driver and a rubber mallet to remove the Cuffs.  I started at the heel area and worked forward.  The bond was still solid and it took a bit of effort.  The Cuffs would have stayed in place for 2-3 weeks easy.

After removal the feet looked excellent. I was amazed to see the permanent marker outline I used to install the Cuffs still in place.

The Easyboot Glue-On Cuff experiment was a huge success.  I think it has great potential in the boot/barefoot/horse world.  I have a couple small tweaks to make but expect to see Team Easyboot Members testing them soon.

Easyboot Glue-On Cuff update after Old Pueblo endurance event

Another Easyboot Glue-On Cuff update. 

I did the second day of the Old Pueblo Pioneer event on GE Cyclone and finished 6th.  He still has the "Cuffs" on his front feet.  These are the same cuffs I applied to Cyclone on February 15th. 

The bond between the cuff and the hoof wall is holding up very well.  There is no sign that any portion of the cuff is ready to come loose.  The holes in the shell are still lining up well but I can see the hoof has worn roughly 2-3mm. 

At around mile 20 of the 50 mile event I noticed one of the screws at the side of the shell was missing.  It suddenly dawned on me that I forgot to put Equi-Pak on the screws to act like Loctite.  I haven't had a chance to pick up the removable Loctite so I've been using Equi-Pak on the screws.  With all the excitement before the event I forgot to take care of my own boots.  After loosing the first screw I stopped at one of the water tanks and tightened all the screws.  They were all loose. 

Another mile or two down the trail and I could see another was backing out on the same boot.  Rather than keep repeating the process I removed the shell and put on an Easyboot Glove.  The Glove fit well over the cuff.  Because I only had one Glove I tightened the other screws down tight and continued on.  The screws on the second boot stayed well but I still had to tighten them several times.  As they say in Hawaii "another lesson learned".

Other than the "Loctite" lesson the Cuffs are performing better than I expected.    Here are some photos taken on 3/9/09 after removing the boots.

Shell on the hoof.  Notice where the front washer is now and where it was.  This is the how much the hoof has worn and how much I had to elongate the hole in the shell. 

The Cuff before cleaning.  A bit of sand came in the front. 

The Cuffs after cleaning with a wire brush.  The bond between cuff and hoof is still super solid.  No signs of them coming loose.

Good News and Bad News from Valley of the Sun 50

I went up to the Valley of the Sun Endurance Ride Friday and participated in the 50 mile event with GE Cyclone.  Cyclone and I didn't have a great day but got through it.

Bad News First. 

I purchased GE Cyclone from Global Endurance roughly 18 months ago.  Cyclone was an accomplished endurance horse when I got him and had just come off a 4th place finish at Tevis.  I've had equally impressive results with him, as a team we have three Best Condition Awards in five starts.  He's a great horse and GE really shaped him into what he is today (if you want a horse that can compete now give Dian or Christoph a ring).

Today was a different type of day for Cyclone.  He was a bit short in the rear at the 25 mile vet check.  The vets and I both agreed it would be better to pull him from the race.  I went back to the trailer and started packing to come home and decided to take him for another walk before we departed.  He was moving very well and I couldn't see anything at a walk, trot or circles.  I rushed him back to the vets before my hour hold was over and all four vets watched as he trotted and circled.  They all agreed he looked great.  I was clear to go. 

Although he was moving well he didn't have a great second loop.  He wasn't drinking like he usually does and was just a bit out of his game.  I ran all the hills and sandy washes to lighten his load and spent extra time giving him time to drink and cool him off.  We ended up finishing 5th place (I believe) but he didn't look like the regular BC horse he is.  Just wasn't his day.  I've personally had days like this athletically and you always question if it's better to push on or continue toward your goal at a lesser pace. 

Many lessons were learned and taken from the experience.  There are many things I could have done better. 

The Good News.

The ride was beautiful and well managed. Congrats to Irene Murphy and staff.  

The first two booted horses in the 50 mile event used Easyboots (1st place and 5th place).  Sue Nance and her horse had an awesome day.  First place and best condition.  I don't know too much about the horse but I was very impressed!  That horse moves down the trail effortlessly. 

The Easyboot Glue-On Cuff finished the first 50 mile event.  The Easyboot Glue-On cuff worked awesome today!  The cuffs have been on Cyclone for 17 days now.  They have done roughly 60 miles of conditioning rides in addition to the 50 mile event today.  When I vetted Cyclone in on Friday all the vets were pretty curious about the new design.  I actually had a screw driver in my pocket and removed one of the boots right there for them.  All the vets were pretty impressed.

After the ride I pulled the four screws that hold the shell to the cuff when I got home.  Cyclone is now turned out with his buddies bare foot.  I'm gonna try and do another 50 next weekend with Cyclone and the same cuffs. 

Photos of Cyclone's front feet and the Easyboot Glue-On Cuffs after removal.  Cuff is still holding on strong and the holes in the shell are lining up well.

I used Easyboot Glue-Ons on Cyclone's back feet.  Cyclone wore a hole in both of his back Glue-On boots at the event.  The boots had roughly 60 miles of conditioning rides before the event and then did a 50 mile event today.  They didn't hold up to the toe dragging Cyclone. I actually think all hoof boots would have this issue unless they we either super thick or had a steel insert.  I prefer to keep our shell light and thin.  The toe dragging horses of the world will put holes on the toes of our light weight shells.  If I was using the cuff on the rear feet I could have just slide on some new shells.

I pulled these shells when we finished and did my final vet check in Easyboot Gloves. 

Couple photos of the rear boots with holes in the toes.  Second photo shows the wear of the sole.  As you can see Cyclone is harder on the toe area than the sole.

 

Barefoot Horse Hoof Boot Riddle

How do you give your horse all the benefits of a Glue-On below the hairline hoof boot and give your horse the benefits of being barefoot all day except when ridden?

Use the Easyboot Glue-On Cuff! 

Quick update on the Easyboot Glue-On Cuff testing and R&D. 

I installed a pair of Easyboot Glue-On Cuffs on one of my horses front feet on February 15th.  The "Cuffs" have been on now for 15 days and they performing better than expected.  The cuffs are glued to the vertical wall of the hoof and a have a t-nut embedded in the cuff.  The t-nut then accepts a screw that allows you to add or remove a below the hairline hoof boot when needed.

The beauty of the design is that the horse is still barefoot and has all the benefits of a barefoot horse.  In addition you have all the benefits of a glue-on boot. 

 

The horse with the cuffs installed is spending his days in a large 2 acre paddock.  He does a bunch of movement in a day and is constantly self trimming his feet.  I've been riding him three times per week and install boots when I ride him.  Boots are removed after riding and he is turned back out with just the cuffs on the outside of his hoof wall.

Here is a quick video showing how I install the shells before a ride. 

Another video showing how I remove the shells after a ride.