From The Horse's Mouth

New EasyCare hoof boot videos

We are launching a new series of hoof boot videos that feature different EasyCare team members explaining key benefits of our different hoof boot designs.  The idea is to have a professional yet casual video that gives dealers and  consumers the ability to learn more about the EasyCare Team and at the same time the EasyCare hoof boot line.   

I'm super proud of the team of people that work together at EasyCare.  We have an awesome, hardworking, fun and knowledgeable group.  I hope you enjoy the videos and they give you a chance to learn more about our team.

When the videos are complete they will be located on each products page.  Here is one of the first videos.  Debbie Schweibert talks about the Easyboot Rx. 

Easyboot Rx gets some improvements

The Easyboot Rx has now been on the equine market for a bit over three months.  Feedback has been wonderful and sales are robust.  Although initial feedback has been very positive, we have seen some boots come back that have ripped in different areas of the upper.  The feedback has given us the opportunity to make some improvements.  Our next order of Rx boots will have a much stronger mesh material and reinforced gussets at the high stress areas.  The material is also more breathable. 

I've attached a couple photos of the new mesh material in a pink.  The Easyboot Rx will remain black, the pink material was for testing only. 

EasyCare Hoof Boots featured at Valley Vet

We just received the spring Valley Vet Catalog and were pleasantly surprised with the exposure that has been put on the EasyCare hoof boot products.

There is a full page photo of Debbie Schwiebert (EasyCare's hoof care practitioner and vet sales rep) on page #3.  On page #4 the Epic, Edge, Grip, Bare and Comfort Pads are featured.  On page #5 you will find the Easyboot, Glove, Rx, Glue-On, Old Mac's G2 and Boa.  

EasyCare has many great dealers and distributors but Valley Vet stands out as one of our best.  Valley Vet stocks inventory, they have knowledgeable buyers, they carry a wide range of our products, they advertise and they pay quickly.  They are an incredible partner and a asset to the equine community.  Valley Vet is a great company!

Listen to Julie and Lori talk about some of the great new products Valley Vet now carries.  Here is a radio episode from Stable Scoop where Valley Vet talks about the new Easyboot Glove. 

Take a look at page #3 of the Valley Vet catalog below.  Debbie and Cyclone take in the Durango scenery.

Easyboot Rx continues to be tested in Germany

The Easyboot Rx continues to be tested in Germany by Manuela Volk and her Arabian stallion Gharim.  Gharim thinks the Rx is a racing boot not a therapy boot.  Not a bad test, if the Rx holds up and stays on for this kind of abuse it should have no problem functioning as a therapy boot. 

WOW! Check out Gharim running full out in the Easyboot Rx. 

Easyboot Glove, Easyboot Glue-On and Easyboot Rx are here and ready to ship!

Photos of hoof boot boxes are pretty dull but our first shipment of new boots is here!  The arrival marks the end of a process and the start of several others. Countless hours of design, redesign, testing and follow up testing have gone into the new designs. It's interesting looking back at when many of these boots started, how they evolved and how they perform now.  It's a long involved process. 

The Easyboot Glove, Easyboot Glue-On and Easyboot Rx are here and ready to ship.  Pre-orders have been hot and heavy.  We are already out of some items.  Check with our EasyCare dealer network for inventory.  If you can't find what you need, be patient we will have more soon.

On another note I believe I've perfected a new lower profile gaiter for the Easyboot Glove.  The Glove is our best boot and works awesome like it is now but the new gaiter makes it even better.  The new gaiter is lighter weight, lower profile and makes the boots more secure.  Best of all I think the new gaiter solves the problem a few folks had with gaiter rubbing issues! It will work on the Glove, Epic, Edge, Bare and Grip. 

Another hoof boot is also in testing and looking good.  I'll update more here soon!

Easyboot Rx test results from Germany

Over the past couple months we have sent out several hundred pairs of Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Rx's.  Test results continue to come in and are very encouraging for both products.  The Rx results have been very good, but I'm a bit worried people are going to start using the Rx for more than just a medicinal/therapy boot.

EasyCare is fortunate to have a great group of boot testers around the world.  I've recently had the opportunity to add Manuela Volk and her beautiful stallion Gharim to our group of testers.  Manuela has some impressive horse knowledge and has been a great addition to our test group.

Take a look at how Gharim is moving around in the Rx.  Looks like he's in a riding boot not a therapy boot.  If a horse can move around a paddock at the pace below, the boots will surely work in a therapy situation!

Thanks Manuela and Gharim!

HoofGroove and EasyCare discuss new product launches in Switzerland

Easyboot Edge, Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Rx hit Switzerland.

On Friday 1/22, I had the opportunity to visit Zurich, Switzerland and EasyCare distributor HoofGroove.  The quick visit contained a several hour boot fitting demo, business discussions and dinner.  Sibyle’s horse Jack was an awesome demo horse and was fitted in all the new EasyCare hoof boots.  HoofGroove was very impressed with the new designs and pleaded with me to leave as many samples as possible.  Expect EasyCare’s new line to hit Switzerland mid February.

Jack stood with us for roughly an hour without halter and without being tied.  Pretty cool.

 

 

 

Garrett Ford

www.hoofbootnews.com

HufShop Partner Conference in Germany

Several months ago Claudia and Bernd Jung of HufShop asked if EasyCare would be interested in attending a Hufshop partner conference.  The theme and purpose would be to build better partnerships and communication between Hufshop, Hufshop dealers, Hufshop consumers and EasyCare.  My answer to Hufshop was “absolutely”.  My internal thoughts were “heck yes” and “I wish all our international distributors took the same initiative”. 

After a quick visit to Zurich with Hoofgroove, I headed to Frankfurt then jumped over to Murrhardt.  The conference started Saturday mid-day and was attended by 30+ Hufshop dealers and practitioners.  Dialog and conversation flowed quickly and well despite language barriers.  I was immediately impressed by the attendee’s knowledge of barefoot horses, hoof boots and market conditions.   I personally learned a great deal about the challenges of keeping a horse barefoot in the wetter German environment. 

We spent the afternoon talking about the history of Hufshop, direction of Hufshop, EasyCare/Hufshop partnership and partnerships between Hufshop and dealers.   Conversations were positive as everyone discussed how these increased partnership opportunities in the end help horses!

 We ended the night with a great Italian dinner and drinks.  Conversation about horses, barefoot trimming, hoof boots, the economy, and fuel prices continued well past mid night.  New friendships were established, knowledge grew in many areas and partnerships increased. 

I want to personally thank Hufshop and everyone who attended.  Great group of people and a wonderful weekend.  Thank you Germany.

Check out more about the weekend at the Hufshop Blog.

Garrett Ford

www.hoofbootnews.com

 

Easyboot Rx hits the trail

The Easyboot Rx is one of our new boots that will hit the market in 2009.  It's a therapy boot with a soft upper, padded sole, padded inserts and plenty of ventilation.  It's intended use is stall bound horses or horses with minimal turnout. It provides support and relief for horses suffering from chronic lameness, laminitis, founder, navicular and other lower limb/hoof problems.

Just to test the design a bit more I decided to take the boots on a trail ride today.  Not the intended use for the boot but I figured let's just see if they fail.  Let's see how fast the sole wears out, etc. 

The Easyboot Rx actually performed pretty well on the trail.  We did roughly 3-4 miles of walking and trotting in the boots will no ill effects.  If they can go down the trail they should be fine for therapeutic use.  I'll see how they hold up for a 10 mile ride next.

Photos and video from the short ride.  They held up much better than I thought.

Easyboot Edge and Easyboot Rx 360 Degree Shots

I did a couple shots showing a 360 degree view of all our new products.  Take a look at the new Easyboot Edge and Easyboot Rx in a 360 degree view.

Easyboot Rx unveiled at the AAEP Convention

The Easyboot Rx was unveiled at the AAEP Convention Dec 6-10.  The new light weight therapy boot was well received by everyone who visited the booth.  Veterinarians were most impressed with the light weight design and affordable price tag.  

The Easyboot Rx will be available in early February 2009. 

Pictured in the EasyCare booth is Debbie Schweibert, Gil Goodin and Cathie Hook.  Thank you Gil Goodin for all your help over the week!