Still snow in Manitoba

Hi fellow team members!

The snow is slowly going here in Manitoba, Canada. I have attached a pic of my TWH  horse Spirit & I from last weeks first ride of the season. Spirit is the horse I wrote about in my article on the Blog about founder.  He is recovering nicely.. in part thanks to BARES.  I am hoping to have some Edge boots for next winter to get a better "grip" on winter riding. 

I am hoping to go do a demo of Easy Boots at a big clinic/symposium event being held Apr 18-20 here at the Keystone Centre to promote the boots etc. If we have time to get it together on short notice!  If we do, I will post pics & video of the demo.  Happy Trails everyone....yehaw.. spring is here at last! Barb Fenwick 

Comments

[Bruce Goode]

Hi Barb,

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to conduct a hoof boot demonstration at an open house hosted by the Back Country Horsemen of BC. The event took place at the Kelowna Riding Club in Kelowna, BC, attracting over 50 spectators. Even though I had very little time to put it together, the demo was well received and prompted a surge of interest in natural hoof care and hoof boots.

Here is a summary of how I presented the boots in the hour time slot alotted. Prior to starting, I had to hunt for a barefoot horse with recently trimmed feet. I picked an older gray mare that was scheduled to be used later that day for a packing demonstration. I lunged the horse in the arena in front of the crowd so they could observe the natural gait of the horse without boots. Then I talked a little about the health and financial benefits of keeping a horse barefoot, using boots when required to ride on terrain rougher than that of their daily living environment, etc.

My demo was simply an expanded version of the "mini-clinic" I give for horse owners who have hired me to perform set-up trims and custom boot-fitting for their horses. I related some history about improvements to the EasyCare product line throughout recent years (some spectators still had negative views on boots based on experiences with original EasyBoots many years ago!). I related the success I have experienced using boots on my working ranch horses and to condition endurance horses.

I discussed safety considerations and proper donning techniques (how to avoid damaging gators and buckles), before booting the mare's front hooves with a pair of Epics and pads. I always use Comfort or Dome pads in boots to stimulate healthy internal hoof structure development and to prevent peripheral loading. I used Epics for the demo, but also showed the crowd some Grips and the studded Bares I use for riding in icy conditions at home on the ranch.

Once the mare was booted I lunged her in both directions again. The crowd was impressed by the way at which this mare, who had never worn boots before, moved so naturally, even extending her stride, in the Epic boots. I then showed how to remove the boots safely and without causing cable damage. The final 15 minutes were spent answering questions from the spectators.

In all, it was a very successful demo. I had a table set up inside the club house to display various hoof boots, pads, EasyCare brochures, and my new Team EasyBoot banner. I was busy with a line-up of people wanting additional information and my business cards. The experience was very rewarding. Good luck with your demo!

Happy trails,

Bruce Goode
www.hooftrack.com

[Barb Fenwick]

Bruce,
Thanks SO MUCH for your rundown on your demo & display on Easy Boots you did at the open house. It gave me some great ideas & will help me with my format. I don't have my banner yet, so hoping I can at least get that before the event. I do my own barefoot trimming & have been using the boots for just 2 years...so not as experienced as you..but hope to be able to present the basics & show the Epics & Bares. I use the Bares, so am use to putting them on & off all the time..which helps because we know they are the toughest to get on & off. Any other tips or ideas? This is a fairly big venue, but my demo will be a "side show" to the main events, so may only get 50-100 people. Barb

[Bruce Goode]

Barb,

I would be pleased to answer any questions you have and help with ideas for your presentation. Feel free to call me in the evenings at 250-545-6948.

Bruce

[Jennifer Martin]

Hi Barb!

Is that a Barefoot treeless saddle? Just had to ask... I had my Barefoot saddle before my horse went barefoot. Both have given me a different horse! :-)

GL on your presentation!

Jen