Here is a tutorial on the different ways cable adjustments can be made on Easyboots and Epics. The ideal adjustment is one that will require more strength to push the buckle down than most people can do with their hands -- you really need to step on it with your foot. If you can get the buckle down too easy, then it likely will not stay. The difference between keeping your Easyboot on or not is often directly related to a very minor difference in cable adjustments. The first photo shows how I adjust my cables prior to putting the boots on. This gives you more slack so the boot will open up wider and it does make putting the boot on (or taking it off) a lot easier.
Click on any photo to see it larger. The second photo shows the cables adjustment in the standard way -- up thru the center groove in the buckle assembly.
The third photo shows the cable adjusted in the loosest setting possible. This works for horses that measure in the upper #'s for that size boot. I have found that using the bottom groove on the buckle as shown in this photo is also the best setting to use to avoid cable fraying or breakage. The main way to avoid that is to get the cable really snug each time you use it.
This fourth photo shows the cable adjusted in the 2nd from loosest setting.
This next setting tighter shows the cable up thru the center with one part, and the other part going around to the side. You could wrap around either side.
This cable adjustment is on the tightest setting at the top. I like this setting the best if I can get it, but if it doesn't let me use the lowest buckle groove I will use one of the other settings. See the next photo to see why getting the cable adjusted properly is so important.
Looking down at the foot with the buckle down and the cable adjusted. This shows how the top of the boot is pulled in close around the top of the hoof. This is really important because it not only keeps the boot on, but it keeps stuff out of the boot.
Another view showing how the boot is nice and snug around the entire top edge of the hoof. If you should ever need to replace a cable or buckle on your Easyboot or Epic, you can download instructions from our downloads page here. You can purchase the parts thru a dealer or thru our online store. Click here and then select "Hoof boot Accessories", then "Easyboot Buckle Screw Set" or "Cable and Buckle" (select 2005 or newer, or pre-2005.
How can you tell if you have a 2005 or newer Easyboot? It will have a tongue just like a regular tennis shoe whereas the older boots are all one piece. Any questions? Just ask!
You can also click on this photo album to view these photos.
The only thing I've noticed is that the cables seem to stretch on the Epics. You mentioned that the third setting seems to be the best to minimize stretching and fraying of the cable. Is there anything else than can be done to minimize stretching? Size wise we seem to have the right boots but the cables drive us nuts. We are thinking of switching to the bares for this reason.
Posted by: Suzi | July 28, 2006 at 03:05 PM
Hi Suzi -- most likely it is the boot itself that is stretching. If the cable stretches it will fray and break because it is steel cable. You may just need to adjust the cable tighter. You can order the parts for a Bare front and change your existing boot over if your Epic is a newer model. Let me know if you have more questions. Karen
Posted by: Karen | July 29, 2006 at 11:23 PM
One of my easyboot epics has become too loose. I used to have to use my foot to close the catch but now can do it with my hand. Problem is that it is on the tightest setting. What can I do about this?
Posted by: nicky pumphrey | December 02, 2007 at 09:12 AM
Hi Nicky - try working your cable around the top of the buckle assembly as shown in the photo that I posted to link to. (http://easycareinc.typepad.com/photos/easyboot_cable_adjustment/easyboot_cable_settings_005.html) You can view the entire album on cable adjustments and see some of the other ways to adjust the cables. If you have the cable wrapped around both sides and it is also in the tightest setting on the buckle itself and it is still too long then you can shortn the cable itself. That will require unscrewing the buckle, cutting the cable and then getting a new copper end piece to crimp over the top of the shorter cable. You should be able to get the copper piece at your local hardware store, and if not then you can get one through EasyCare. Let me know how it goes.
Posted by: Karen | December 02, 2007 at 11:22 AM