Dealer of the Month

Movement: purely a moment in time, simple yet so complex.

Farrier and EasyCare dealer of the month, Ernest Woodward, knows movement is everything.

Ernest is passionate about movement and displays his talents for capturing it here.

You could say it was destiny. Growing up his stepfather was a veterinarian; his mother a dressage trainer. While in college, physics was his focus. As a farrier of 17 years, Ernest Woodward attributes his success to outside the box thinking and strives to push the envelope from the norm of farrier work and service. Ernest finds great interest in the challenge and detail needed in working with show horses and spends most of his time today dedicated to the needs of the dressage sport horse and therapeutic work.

Ernest joined the EasyCare dealer network in July of 2012, and says discovering the Easyboot Glove has changed everything. Previously, he felt there was not a boot on the market that could meet the demands of a competitive horse. Now he says he has that boot with the Easyboot Glove and can confidently recommend it to his sport horse clients. He also finds tremendous value in utilizing the Easyboot Rx and EasySoaker.

Tips for Success
Hoof care is a highly service based industry and Ernest feels whether you are a trimmer or farrier, professionals need to increase their connection with their clients and make more time to individualize each horse and client. A significant part of his business strategy is staying very involved in his realm of the horse community, from managing horse shows to serving on a local non-profit board. He spends thousands of dollars each year on research, time and tools, and fully utilizes social networking. The bottom line is simple - do great things for your clients and horses and make sure people are aware of what you are doing.

Rewards
One of Ernest's most rewarding experiences was recently teaching one of his clients from Canada to trim, enabling her to care for her own horse and maintain it barefoot when home. Ernest says, "To watch her not only take her competition horse barefoot, but to have the dedication to learn what was necessary to perpetuate her success was tremendously inspiring." He adds that his most memorable hoof boot experience was taking a horse from a $500 shoeing to barefoot and quickly seeing the results of a sounder horse and happier client. He does preface that it doesn't happen every time but when it does it is tremendously satisfying.

When we talk about the future of the barefoot competitive horse, Ernest feels the door has been kicked wide open for the dressage sport horse industry. He believes there are a lot of people that will have the courage to break conventional thought and try something new for their horse. Sometimes it may not be the right fit, but sometimes they might find a whole new direction for the horse.

Ernest resides in Cardiff-by-the Sea, California, with his wife and four-year old daughter while maintaining a practice of about 250 horses. He is also currently working closely with EasyCare on the EasyShoe project. Life is full for Ernest Woodward and we could not be more pleased to have him on the team!

To learn more about Ernest visit his Facebook page at Ernest Woodward - Farrier.

Green's Feed is a family owned and operated company in Reno, Nevada. The store was started by Bill and Mary Green 27 years ago and is managed by their son, Scott Green. The store sells everything from propane to western tack. The Green's goal was, and still is, to best serve their community with a wide variety of feed and farm products.

Left to right: Scott Green on Cuervo, Bill & Mary Green, Loren, Kathy, Cyndy, Joe and Pablo on Jitana

When we asked Scott how the hoof boot industry has changed over the years, he responded, "We started selling Easyboots in 1988. At the time, standard black was the most popular (now there are red and blue Gloves!) and hoof boots were primarily used if a horse was injured or lost a shoe. Since that time, we have seen the hoof boot market move toward every day, trail use and more."

Green's Feed attributes their success and takes pride in knowing their customers and their customer's needs. They offer an extensive line of hoof care products that include five different styles of EasyCare boots, the original Easyboot, the Epics, the Gloves, the Easyboot Trail and Soaker boots. Scott says the Easyboot Trail is his favorite boot because it is so easy to put on and is built for riding. They also carry Comfort Pads, replacement gaiters and cable kits. They emphasize that special orders are gladly taken. Some of their more successful marketing strategies are horse owner clinics. In addition, they have an extensive farrier clientele that rely on Green's Feed for specialty and therapeutic products. Overall, they attribute their 27 years of success to providing excellent customer service, which keeps their loyal customers coming back.

The Green's own six horses and the Green crew has the combined experience of over 100 years of horse ownership. The folks that work at Green's have done endurance, roping, parades, pack trips, cutting, ranch work, racing and trail work, so their combined areas of expertise covers most every riding discipline.

When asked where he sees the barefoot industry going, Scott's reply was, "Trimming to maintain barefoot horses has become very popular in the Reno area. However, some horse owners are not necessarily being educated by their hoof care practitioners as to proper hoof care. Horse owners in our dry climate can end up with severe hoof problems. With this unfortunate situation happens, we are here to help with feed supplements and EasyCare products to protect the hoof as it heals."

Scott says their favorite event each year that they look forward to is the American Endurance Ride Conference. Visit Scott and the staff of Green's Feed at 75 Bailey Drive in Reno, Nevada or on their website at http://www.greensfeedinc.com/.

Located just a few blocks off of I-5 in Olympia, Washington, Tack Room Too has been serving Pacific Northwest horse enthusiasts for more than 25 years. At Tack Room Too, they strive to provide the very best customer service along with quality products for horse and rider.

When speaking with Tack Room Too, this is what they had to say: “The hoof boot industry just continues to evolve. The boots keep getting lighter in weight, more streamlined, they are easier to use and are more user-specific. The more we learn about hoof function, the more the hoof boots improve.

It is important to recognize the barefoot movement as a new equine community that retailers need to serve. Customers who are barefoot advocates are invaluable for their knowledge and experience. Taking the time to listen to their needs helps us, the retailer, to provide the hoof boots and products that they need. Asking questions about how they use hoof boots, the pros and cons of the boots that they have used in the past, what type of riding they do and their horse’s reaction to hoof boots, helps us to gain a knowledge base to help the next customer. Riding our own horses to gain personal knowledge helps, but it isn’t enough – unless we have a herd to ride and the time to do so! So, customer feedback is very important.

We have worked with EasyCare for over twenty years and carry most of the Easyboot line –  the Original Easyboot, Glove, Epic, Glove Back Country, Easyboot Rx and the EasySoaker. We also carry most boot accessories. When the Easyboot Epic first came out, it was the boot to have. Making sure we had that boot in stock, helped us to gain more barefoot customers. As most retailers know, the Easyboot Glove rocked the house! It is our number one seller. And, the new Glove Back Country boot is an excellent choice for the new to barefoot customer. It is important to get a conversation going with the customer to know what kind of riding they do.

Stocking a variety of hoof boots is necessary to help match the boot to the needs of the horse and rider. Everyone here at Tack Room Too has a vast amount of horse knowledge in a broad range of riding disciplines. Some of us have experience with boots and the barefoot lifestyle. We find that with our love of horses, along with our years of experience in many areas, we are able to assist by always listening and caring about what is important to the customer – their horse and the choices made regarding the horse’s care.

Whether it is boots all the way and embracing the barefoot lifestyle or just having a spare hoof boot in case they lose a shoe, Tack Room Too strives to help with practicality and compassion. It is all about the horse and the enrichment they bring to our lives, on all levels.”

Tack Room Too hosts annual sales such as their Saddle Sale in March and their annual Fall Blanket Sale. Take a full online tour of Tack Room Too at www.tackroomtoo.com. Don’t forget to sign up for their mailers to stay informed of their monthly specials and sales.

EasyCare is very happy to welcome our newest dealers.

The Carolina Carriage Superstore is the largest supplier of carriages and harnesses in the industry. In their 18,000 square foot facility, they stock over 100 carriages, 300 sets of harnesses and all other driving essentials at all times. Not only are they a carriage shop, they also have a complete tack room full of saddles, other tack related items and stable equipment. They pride themselves on being the one stop shop where you can get the horse, the equipment, and the lessons needed to start or advance your riding and driving career. Owners, Jack and Gloria Moore and daughter in law, Kelley, have been involved with horses their entire lives and will be pleased to help you http://carolinacarriagesuperstore.com/about.html.

At Dickson Farmers Co-op, located in Middle Tennessee, they carry a full tack line from beginner to hard core performance riders. Dickson offers everything from basic riding bits to high performance pads. They also incorporate the nation’s leading name brands. Dickson Farmers Co-Op carries feed, supplements, farrier supplies and animal health products in a one stop shop location. http://ourcoop.com

Higher Ground Saddlery offers our E-Z Ride Stirrups on their saddles. Their saddles are built one at a time and put together by one set of hands. Quality control is held to the strictest standards. By offering over ten different saddle tree bars and being able to offer them in a variety of widths, your hard to fit horse may become not so difficult after all! Whether you are interested in a particular styling, an extra degree of comfort, or security in the saddle is your priority, they work directly with you to insure your needs are met. They also take great pride in putting only top quality materials into their saddles. Each saddle is built with the Amish craftsmanship everyone loves, right here in the USA. Saddles are hand assembled with the highest quality hardware.  Visit our website at http://trailridingsaddles.com/saddles/about-our-saddles.html

Trail Pals Horse Trailer Accessory Store is our newest HiTie Dealer. They specialize in hard-to-find horse trailer accessories and other trailer cross-over items that make trailers safer and more enjoyable for animals and owners. They feature the newest arrivals in horse trailer parts and accessories. Their selection of trailer accessories is ever-changing as new products hit the industry. Many are "cross-over" type items that can also be used in other applications. Trail Pals carries many hard-to-find and standard parts that are commonly attached to horse trailers, and most of the fasteners needed to mount them. http://horsetraileraccessorystore.com/trailer_ties.htm

 

We are very pleased to announce that Crazy Horse Saddles & Tack in Apache Junction, Arizona are EasyCare’s December 2012 Dealer of the Month. Owner Paula Chiodo has been in business almost 11 years and she has been riding for a very long time. Her background in the horse industry is trail riding, barrel racing and pole bending. She says that she did get caught up in the team penning craze for a few years and that her horses seem to enjoy that event. As an Arizona cowgirl, Paula adds another element to the hoof boot industry.

Paula told us that the success of Crazy Horse Saddles & Tack comes with many ingredients. In the almost 11 years in business, she has learned to follow the needs of her great customers. She makes sure that everyone is greeted as soon as they come in the door. They stock everything from simple everyday new and used tack and they also provide good working and training gear. Paula and staff member, Nocona Mellish, are capable of assisting customers with training techniques and well grounded foundation methods. They love to help their customers and customers have told them that is exactly why they love to shop at Crazy Horse saddle Shop.

Paula states, “I have clearly seen the need for hoof boots, especially in the past ten years. Not only are hoof boots great out on the trail, but they aid many of my customer’s horses that suffer from hoof trauma. People are being educated and want to learn more on how to help their equine friends in every way that they can. They need information on everything from diet to exercise to comfort for their horses feet.”

Crazy Horse has been selling EasyCare products for about ten years. Paula says that hoof boots are a large part of the Crazy Horse Saddle Shop. They take a lot of time to show their customers several boot options and guide the customer to the correct boot and the correct boot size. Crazy Horse carries the Original Easyboot, the new and improved Easyboot Epic, the Old Mac's G2, the Easyboot Glove, the Easyboot Trail and the EasySoaker.

Paula states, “The barefoot industry is only going to get bigger and better as horse people find out how to properly transition from shoes to non-shod horses. Look at how many lame, shod horses that there are out there.”

As to Paula’s marketing strategies, she says, “We have done some advertising in trade magazines and we have done some social networking. But, the bottom line to successful marketing is two things. Number one is repeat customers and, number two is word of mouth. I ask new customers every day how they heard about my little store. Most comments are that they heard about Crazy Horse from so and so or my friend at the Jackpot, etc. That's when you know that you are on the right track with your business.”  On November 17th, 2012, Crazy Horse hosted their Anniversary Sale and had a great turnout, finding new customers.

Paula and Crazy Horse Saddles & Tack also believe in giving back to the community by helping out with local events such as the local food drive.

Paula currently owns two horses, a Quarter Horse and a Paint and her personal favorite boot is the Easyboot Trail.
 
Though there have been many memorable events over the years, Paula says that one she will never forget was seeing a customer’s horse standing in four EasySoakers at one time. “What a patient horse, wish I had my camera with me that night!”
 
Paula says that they thoroughly enjoy the local rodeo in Apache Junction, the Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo. The rodeo arena is based below the famous Superstition Mountains. She says the landscape is as “Arizona” as we can get. “We celebrate with a parade, arts and craft shows, a carnival and all of the fair food this cowgirl can eat in one weekend!”

If you live in Arizona, visit Crazy Horse Saddles & Tack for some great hometown customer service and hoof boot help. You can also find Crazy Horse Saddles Shop on Facebook.
 

Beth’s Western Wear, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, became an EasyCare dealer on April 4, 2012, placed their first order on April 10, 2012 and opened the doors to their new store in May of 2012.  Since that time, they have done so well and placed so many orders that they have achieved new pricing level status through EasyCare in six short months.

Beth states, “Before we even opened our doors, EasyCare was on the top of our list as products that we wanted to sell in our retail store. We like to carry products that we have tried and believe in and the Easyboots are, by far, the best!” They have, personally, been using EasyCare boots for four years.

Beth’s Western Wear carries the Easyboot Glove, the Glove Back Country and, of course, accessories such as Power Straps and Gaiters. Beth says that her best seller is the Glove Back Country because it works best for customers that maintain a six week trim cycle. However, the Glove is always her first suggestion for those customers on a four week trim cycle. She says that she loves the sleek design and the “no nonsense” easiness of the Glove. Beth’s Western Wear maintains a Fit Kit in their store for fitting customer’s horses.

Beth’s husband, Steve, is a barefoot trimmer. After years of frustration with one of their horses hoof issues, they just knew there had to be other methods. They started searching for answers and came across one of Pete Ramey’s books, which started Steve on the path to becoming a trimmer. They found that within a couple trims, the same horse that was having the hoof issues, was back up and running. He was sound again and acting like a four year old, which is great because he was seventeen at that time! Steve has been trimming their own horses for four years now and they both say that they will never go back to putting shoes on for any reason. Beth says there is not a place that they have ridden in the United States, from the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming to the thick mud of the Shawnee National Forest, that the boots haven’t provided great protection for their horses. She said the first pair of Glove boots that they purchased for their TWH, Diamond, had approximately 2000 miles on them before the toe wore through. And, they only had to change the gaiters one time on that set.

Beth feels that their most successful marketing strategy is using their products. She said people see them out on the trail and they always ask about the hoof boots. People see that the boots work and that there is no reason for metal shoes. In fact, when packing for a trail ride, they always take their Fit Kit with them in case someone wants a fitting right away and they always carry brochures.

Steve and Beth own two Tennessee Walkers and two Missouri Fox Trotters. All of their horses are barefoot and they all have their own sets of boots. Beth’s personal favorite is the Glove.  Steve and Beth have been in the horse industry for over seventeen years and are avid trail riders, traveling all over the United States.

Beth states that she has watched the hoof care industry even more closely over the last four years and feels that huge steps have been taken to educate horse owners on hoof care and protective hoof boots. She feels that hoof boots have gone from “clunky” to very stream lined and very user friendly. She said that in the last couple of years, they have watched more and more people rethink putting shoes on their horses and letting them go barefoot with the help of boots.

Beth’s Western Wear’s On-Line Store is now open and you can visit them at bethswesternwear.com.
 

Our Dealer of the Month for October is Jeannie Wright of Wright Hoof Care in Ringwood, Illinois.

Jeannie started learning about barefoot hoof trimming in 2005. She said she was fascinated with the difference in her horse’s stride after his first natural trim and that is what got her started. She attended hoof care clinics and says she could not stop asking questions. She first started trimming her own horses, calling them her guinea pigs, while she received supervision from other barefoot trimmers until 2007, when she began trimming professionally. In fact, Jeannie worked in the legal field for 25 years and left that career in 2010 to become a full time hoof care practitioner. Jeannie became certified through the American Hoof Association in 2010. She currently has about 230 horses in her practice ranging from trail horses, jumpers, polo ponies, draft horses, minis, donkeys and one mule.

Jeannie feels her success as a trimmer is directly related to her passion. Helping animals has been a part of her life since she can remember: she attributes her success to proper training and guidance in developing her skills. Jeannie is especially grateful for the support and friendship of Ida Hammer, Eric Knapp and other trimmers, who help and encourage one another. She also spends time studying, especially Pete Ramey’s book, Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot, and she likes to carry on educational discussions with other trimmers.

When asked about her successful marketing strategies, Jeannie stated, “The horse world is very small, so an important part of successful marketing comes from personal relationships with my clients. Being punctual and actively listening to the concerns of clients are some the best things a trimmer can do. I work hard to meet my clients when they are with their horses so I can accommodate their individualized needs. In order to make sure that my clients have a great experience with their boots, I carry a range of sizes and styles. I also have the EasyCare brochures so that I can properly educate my clients and thoroughly answer their questions. For my own personal marketing, I also have a website, which is www.wrighthoofcare.com, which features before and after hoof pictures and explains my philosophy, education and background.

Jeannie says that horse owners have the most knowledge about their horses and situations and they love to share that information. She feels that horses also share their stories as to what areas are bothering them by how they travel and how they are ridden. Jeannie feels that listening and learning about each one is critical to her success with every horse and owner. She likes to discuss each horse’s needs, owner expectations and she likes to give her predictions of the hoof until the next time that she visits. She prefers a holistic approach and discusses diet, environment and exercise with the owners.

Jeannie feels that EasyCare has made the hoof boot industry change because its versatile products are exceptionally user friendly and are available to a wide range of riders. She feels that more people are realizing that boots can be a realistic option for them because EasyCare offers so many different types of boots. Plus, she feels that EasyCare has innovative solutions to common boot problems, like using Mueller’s Athletic Tape for additional security. Jeannie says that with boots that accommodate the various needs of horses and riders, EasyCare is on the forefront of the hoof boot industry.

Jeannie started using EasyCare products in 2009. She indicates that the Fill Your Truck program made it very easy for her to get started. She carries different style boots to include the Easyboot Glove, Glove Back Country and Easyboot Trail to accommodate every hoof and she also carries accessories such as Power Straps for the Gloves and Comfort Pads. Jeannie said that the Glove has been her best seller, but the Epics and Trails are popular among horses that are just transitioning out of shoes. When asked which boot was her favorite, Jeannie had to say the Glove was her favorite for natural hoof care. She also feels that the Easyboot Trail is great choice for transitioning out of shoes and for light riding. She feels that the Trail is perfect for horses that are slightly sensitive or working towards a healthier hoof. Jeannie also feels that Trails offer many different options when using the Comfort Pads.

When asked about her most rewarding experience, Jeannie said, “Every day in this line of work is rewarding, but I get really happy when a horse owner tells me that their horse has never moved so well, and that their trainer, friends and/or vet has noticed the improvement.”

Her most memorable hoof boot success story? “I took the shoes off of a newly purchased OTTB mare about a year ago. She was clearly uncomfortable in her back and back legs. Her owner used the Easyboot Trail right from the beginning for riding and turn out. This mare is now a sweet, comfortable and wonderfully-muscled horse. She has the best feet in the barn, according to her owners, and other boarders comment on them regularly. Her Trail boots give her the opportunity to more freely, protected from the sand and gravel outside, which she needed during her transition period. Being part of the team that restored her to healthfulness and usefulness has motivated me to continue to advocate for natural hoof care.”

Jeannie ventured into the horse world when she bought her first pony at age twelve. She laughs when she thinks back and says that her board was only $20 per month. She then had an Appaloosa mare for several years when she was in her teens. Husband, Larry, bought her TWH, Mikey, in 2001, which was when she was first able to really get back into horses since her teens. She now owns two Tennessee Walkers: Count, beautiful and young at age 26; and Mikey, sporty and fun at age 19. She recently purchased Mona, an 8 year old Missouri Fox Trotter mare. She boots her horses in exceptionally rough terrain and feels that she has the most success with her personal horses using the Easyboot Glove.

So, where does Jeannie see the barefoot industry going? “I think the barefoot industry is going to continue reaching into all equestrian disciplines. Barefoot success and education about alternatives to traditional shoeing are going to be key factors. Boots are a key ingredient in a horse’s ability to perform and be comfortable as well as in restoring horses to healthy feet. Right now, I believe that each barefoot success story increases awareness exponentially. A healthy hoof is beautiful in its design and function. I hope that is the norm in the very near future.”

Jeannie has just celebrated her five year anniversary as a Hoof Care Practitioner. Please visit her website at www.wrighthoofcare.com.

Gwynedd Saddlery is operated by Holly McMullen, who has enjoyed thirty years of success serving the Hunter-Jumper and Dressage equestrians in the Philadelphia, PA. area. As these disciplines migrated into central Wisconsin, Gwynedd Saddlery was available to enhance and support their growth, while focusing on the requirements of those horses and riders who ride the trails in Central Wisconsin.

The Saddlery is located at the top of Irma Hill in Irma, Wisconsin, on the 'dedicated green’ 78 acre Drumlin Farm. The farm includes a log home and stables built by Scandinavian Log and Timber Works. In addition to the Saddlery, Drumlin Farm is focused on reducing its Carbon Footprint by implementing the McMullen Process which produces renewable Electrical Power and Solid Sequestered Carbon Products. Off -grid renewable electrical power, recovered heat and recycled nutrients are produced from available bio- mass and recycling, composting, wind, solar and various livestock. The home and stables will be available as a convenient and comfortable destination for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts as well as a working example of alternative energy production and distribution.

"Easyboots have been on our shelves from their inception," said Holly of their inventory strategy. "We started carrying the Original Easyboot as a way to overcome the unexpected thrown shoe or to be worn for hoof-related problems." Hoof boots have certainly evolved for the better since first entering the market. “I must admit to becoming a recent convert to the boots for trail riding. In the early years, one would never have thought to ride in boots but use only as an excellent way to retain hoof integrity while heading back to the barn."

The current boot styles offer ease of booting up, comfort for the horse and technology that affords horse horse and owner a proper fit of the hoof in ail disciplines of your choice. Gone are the days of one fit, fighting with cables and clips or having your horse stand around while waiting for the farrier. Holly is now proud to say that she is a convert and believes the boots offer the horse a safe and comfortable alternative to shoes, regardless of terrain.

Gwynedd Saddlery is currently carrying three styles of boots: The Easyboot Back Country, the Glove and the Easyboot Trail. She believes the Back Country and the Glove to be the most popular, offering customers a Fit Kit so they can ensure a good fit before purchasing the boots. Gwynedd Saddlery has also found the Stowaway Saddle Packs to be very profitable.

When asked what she attributes her success to, Holly responds "First and foremost, being honest and having good character is the only way to go through life. My shop has been successful over the last 30 years because of high quality products, repeat customers and the knowledge that was gained from riding and helping customers. Word of mouth has been, and still is, the best advertising strategy for me. Also, offering a mobile store for the barns and horse shows proved to be very successful. And, recently, I promoted an advertising campaign for our town of Irma, Wisconsin. I promoted all the local businesses as a destination and I have found that by helping other businesses to grow, it led to my own business growing."

Holly’s most memorable boot success story is about one of her customers that came in hoping to be able to ride her aged horse on short trail rides that, unfortunately, meant traveling over some rough, rocky terrain. She was able to find the proper boot and fit, which enabled an old horse, to once again, have a job and a purpose sharing evening trail rides with her owner.

Holly owns five horses herself: two Warmbloods, a Morgan Shire cross, a registered Paint and a retired mare for the grandchildren. The retired mare wears boots when needed for comfort. Holly is finding the Glove Back Country to be the boot of choice for one mare, while the other is in conventional shoes.

Growing up in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, Holly had the unique opportunity to trail ride with friends and associate in some of the top barns of the 60’s for hunt. Holly says that she finds many of today’s young people ride only in the ring, while the “older, wiser group of us” have returned to, or are starting to, enjoy trail riding. Holly feels that the barefoot industry will be expanding as this aspect of the industry grows. “Being back country, loosing a shoe and not having your home farrier in the same state does not set the stage for a nice vacation or help a horse return to camp in a sound manner. Thanks to the EasyCare boot line, I can now say that I have been there, done that and won’t be in that position again. I also feel that the ease of the boots, combined with a better educated, open-minded rider has helped the barefoot industry and the products to grow.”

The Mid-West Horse Fair is the only large commercial event that Gwynedd Saddlery does as a shop, while still serving the other horse shows as a mobile shop. Helping the riders of Northern Wisconsin has proven to be a great pleasure. Their website, shopgwyneddtrailrider.com, has proved to be very successful in reaching other trail riders throughout the country.

Tack Shack of Ocala, as well as Tack Shack Too, are owned by Dave and Marti Haught and have been in business in Florida since 1987. In preparation for their Dealer of the Month article, we spoke with Julie, the General Manager, who has been with Tack Shack of Ocala for over eleven years. Trish, who manages Tack Shack Too, also gave her input and Ola gave us a lot of information from her perspective as the “on-staff” hoof care practitioner for Tack Shack of Ocala.

When asked about changes that they have seen in the hoof boot industry, they all agreed that the hoof boot industry has changed in that more horses are being transitioned out of shoes. “People are realizing that shoes are not the only option for horses with sensitive or poor quality feet. The “rehab” process is not easy for horses. In addition, there are a lot more options in terms of boot styles that will accommodate all horses in hoof boots. We definitely see the barefoot industry expanding. More and more people are realizing that feet can heal and toughen up if given the adequate amount of time. Horse owners are showing more patience because they see how much better their horses are in the long run. The owners are setting their horses up for a life of soundness.”

Julie, Ola and Trish all say that they attribute their success to many different factors. “We really listen to our customer’s feedback about their horses. We guide them to measure their horse’s feet properly and make suggestions on which boots will work best for their horse. Of course, all of this ties in with our great customer service, product knowledge and inventory. It’s exciting with EasyCare because there is always something new coming in.”

As to market strategies, Julie says that one of their best events is their famous “Horsey Yard Sale.” The Famous Horsey Yard Sale occurs four times a year in conjunction with a massive store wide sale at Tack Shack of Ocala and Tack Shack Too, which is their Western store. Their large back parking lot becomes an equine flea market with folks selling used tack, gently used stable equipment and all kinds of other things you never knew you needed! She said they have been doing these yard sales for over fifteen years and always have over a thousand people attending. Ola also added that they tend to feature the boots in high traffic areas, letting the community know that we carry EasyCare products. They do a lot of radio advertising and also post the information on their Reader Board.

Tack Shack of Ocala is relatively new to EasyCare products; however, Julie, Trish and Ola all have their personal preferences when it comes to favorite boots.

When we asked Ola, she said her favorite was the Back Country and the Rx boot, which would make sense because she is a hoofcare practitioner. Julie’s favorite boot is the Easyboot Trail, while Trish said definitely the Back Country. Even though all three have their favorites, you can find the Back Country, Trail, Soakers, Rx boots at the store. And if they don’t have the boot style you are looking for, just ask and they can order it for you.

Ola said one of the most rewarding experiences that she has had is with a horse named, Sassy, who really touched her heart. Sassy was severely foundered and in shoes when Ola started working with her. The owner contacted Ola saying that she wanted to try one more thing before saying goodbye to her baby. Ola took her shoes off and put her in EasyCare Rx boots with comfort pads. Sassy was trimmed every two weeks with small adjustments. After four months, Sassy trotted for the first time with no pain medications. During the whole rehab process, Ola and the owner never gave up because Sassy was always trying and in good spirits.

Combined, these ladies own six horses and have been riding for many years. They know the horse industry, they know the hoofcare industry and they have the expertise to know the horse’s and the owner’s needs. Come see them at Tack Shack of Ocala and Tack Shack Too or visit tackshackocala.com and let them help you.

The original Arizona Feeds Country Stores are known for their own Arizona Feeds brand horse feed and have been in the Tucson area for decades. With a change in ownership in 2008, two stores remain in Tucson, which are now independently owned and operated. In the spirit of Arizona Feeds Country Stores tradition, they still carry everything you might need for your horse, but they have also added a full line of animal and pet products.  With such a large variety of products, they have a very knowledgeable staff that can assist you.  

Arizona Feeds Country Store has been carrying EasyCare products for several years, with a definite emphasis on EasyCare boots in the last two years, thus experiencing a steady, solid growth. Josh Brown, Store Manager, feels that as customers have become more educated about the advantages of barefoot over shod, boots have become more accepted and mainstream. Josh also feels that a very educated staff providing product knowledge and excellent customer service has contributed greatly to their success. Josh said that as boots become more accepted, he believes that we will see them more and more in rodeo and racing.

Arizona Feeds Country Store is currently carrying the Easyboot Trail, Glove Back Country, Glove, Epic, Old Mac G2, the Easyboot Rx and EasySoaker boots. Their best seller is the Easyboot Trail primarily due to their customer demographic. The Trail is the easiest boot to put on and take off, and they fit most hooves very well. He feels that this works well for the new booters and pleasure riders, who make up most of his customer base.  

Tiffany Lidington, the Marketing Director for Arizona Feeds Country Store, shared some of their more successful marketing strategies. Reaching out to the community by attending local events has helped Arizona Feeds Country Stores tremendously. These events have given them the opportunity to let the community know about the great improvements that they have made to the store, products that they carry and has set them apart as an operator-owned store.

Tiffany feels that employee training has been instrumental in their sales of EasyCare products. Educating their employees about EasyCare products has lead to store employees being able to confidently recommend EasyCare boots to their customers. Advertising in local community horse publications has also helped to let customers know that Arizona Feeds Country Stores carry EasyCare products.

Arizona Feeds Country Store hosted an event in the Fall called the Bits and Boots Seminar, where EasyCare employees educated attendees on the benefits of EasyCare boots. They were able to answer specific questions that horse owners had and they even did boot fittings for customer’s horses on the spot! Attendees stayed for hours soaking in all of the knowledge that was given.

Arizona Feeds Country Stores' favorite event is called the Ag Expo & Spring Fling, which they host every Spring. They want the community to see the improvements that they have made and the great variety of products that they now carry. More 500 people attended the event this year and took advantage of the product specials, raffle prizes and seminars.

Arizona Feeds Country Stores has a strong sense of community, and dedication to their employees providing excellent training so they can offer outstanding customer service and an eagerness to see their customers educated and happy with EasyCare products. You can visit their website at afcountrystore.com.

Wild Hearts Hoof Care is based in Ventura Country, California. Sossity Gargiulo believes the hoof care industry is changing in such a positive way because there are so many more choices and the innovation is exciting. "I think it shows that alternative hoof protection is not a fad and is here to stay -- it works." She believes hoof boot designs are prioritizing a horse’s rehabilitation and comfort at the same time as ease of use for the owners.

Sossity owns two horses – a 13 year old Arabian/Trakehner mare named Faith out of her beloved (now passed away) first horse, an Arabian mare Hope. She also owns a 12-year old Oldenburg gelding named Jordan. "Faith is an amazing teacher," says Sossity, "and was the original reason I got into hoof care – and then all of the related elements of holistic horse care such as diet and lifestyle as well." Both horses have been ridden and shown in dressage, and have some trail riding experience.
 
She attributes her success in part to lessons learned from Pete Ramey through clinics, articles, videos, etc. "I feel like his approach has the right blend of science and art, and incorporating all of the pieces of the puzzle so to speak. I didn’t feel like I had to ‘unlearn’ certain things, which has been really helpful in moving me forward." She has also benefited from being a founding member of Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners, where she can learn from, bounce ideas off of and commiserate with other trimmers and members, participate in clinics and share case studies. "It’s a friendly group dedicated to helping horses and each other, with a holistic approach to hoof care. She is a board member of the American Hoof Association. 

Wild Hearts consists of Sossity and her husband, Mario. "Having a trimming partner has been a great experience overall: I love having the help, support, sharing and camaraderie. We each have our specialties and talents that we bring to trimming, and we hash out and debate theories and ideas, share tools, hold horses for each other, talk to clients together, and generally I just think we make a good team."

She says she could not be successful in this career without hoof boots and attributes a sizeable portion of her success as a trimmer to the boot industry for helping horses heal.

When asked about successful marketing strategies, Sossity says clients love seeing before/after shots of their horse’s feet. It also provides good educational opportunities for her as a trimmer. She gets compliments on her website regularly. "It may be homemade, but the information is from my heart and what is important to me, and I think people pick up on that. The main thing people like is all of the before/after photos, because they can recognize their own horse’s issues and see what types of changes are possible."

Sossity also distributes a monthly newsletter with articles relevant to her trimming business in some way. She includes a featured client or case study of the month, update on clinics she has attended or are upcoming, nutrition information, booting tips and tricks. "I've been doing them for about a year and a half now and even though they can be time consuming to do, they’ve given me a chance to talk about and highlight important, fun or interesting things." The largest portion of her customers is via word of mouth: the horse world is small and loves to share.

Wild Hearts has been an EasyCare dealer for four years. They primarily stocks Easyboot Gloves but also carry Easyboot Trails, Easyboot Rx and some Glove Back Country boots too.  She stocks Power Straps and assorted Comfort Pads. Easyboot Gloves are her best seller and her favorite hoof boot: "I love how sleek and low profile they are, while still offering great protection."

Sossity got her first horse when she was 19. Since then, most of career has been spent working in the horse industry - not in the field but rather in offices. Her most recent job before becoming a full-time hoof care practitioner was with a large biotech company. Her formal hoof care trimming training started in 2005 through the AANHCP and then PHCP. She was subsequently accepted by AHA in 2008.  

When asked about her most rewarding experience as a hoof care practitioner, Sossity tells the story of a severely foundered mare she had been trimming for several months. "We got her as a client when she was already foundered, and I had never seen her walk normally: it was always a pained crawl and only if she was really required to move." The mare had been in shoes with a club foot, metabolic and hormonal issues, and had subsolar abscessing. Even the normally optimistic vet was concerned she was not going to make it. "One day we showed up to trim her, and she just walked up to me like a normal horse, and pressed her head against my chest. It was so incredibly rewarding to have been able to be a part of her road to recovery."

To learn more about Wild Hearts Hoof Care, go to http://wildheartshoofcare.com.

 

Happy Feet Horse Care is based in Fairfax Station, Virginia and is owned by Nicole Ciarrocca. When Nicole first became involved in natural hoof care, horse owners were expected to run to their local tack shop or find a good deal on line, then guess the size of their horse’s hooves. “When I told people I was going to start carrying hoof boots,” says Nicole of her early days as a dealer, “I routinely heard ‘hoof boots don't work. They always fall off on the trail and I'm always losing them. They are a waste of money’.

 

That really motivated me to make sure that the boot not only worked for the horse, but for the owner too.” Now she gets calls from people who want her to fit their horse because they come across other clients on the trail who want to have them. Nicole’s most successful marketing strategy is having horse owners out on the trail proving that not only do boots work, but also their horses are happier because of it.

When asked to analyze her success as an EasyCare dealer, Nicole says she not only makes sure the boot fits the horse, but that the owner is comfortable using them. She shows them how to apply the boots, then lets them try putting on the boots for themselves. “I can teach them all my little tricks so they are more successful from the beginning.”

 

Nicole’s top seller is the Easyboot Glove, but she plans to stock the Glove Back Country as well. For more challenging fits and for large horses, she carries many other styles so they can get a hands on feel for the boot. She then measures and orders what they need. “When the boot comes in, I deliver it and make sure my client is comfortable using the boot before I leave.”

Nicole’s five horses are booted with the Easyboot Glove and color coordinated Power Straps so it's easy to figure out which boot goes with each horse. They have been barefoot and booted for as long as she’s owned them, from four months to six years.

Nicole was always curious, even as a child, why we put shoes on horses. “My logical mind back then knew that wild horses didn't have shoes, so why do our horses need shoes?” She never got her answer as a little girl. But 25 years later it came time to get her own horses. “That's when I came across Pete Ramey's book, Making Natural Hoofcare Work For You. I read that book and every hoof book I could get my hands on and I was hooked. Now I'm dedicated to helping as many horses as I can, even though the biggest challenge is educating the owner.”

When asked about her most rewarding experience she has had as a trimmer, Nicole remembers the winter that two of her own horses foundered on the same day. “I couldn't understand at first because I was doing everything right: very little green grass, hay 24/7 through slow-feeding hay nets on my very own Paddock Paradise; organic grain-free low NSC feed, barefoot, constant turnout.” With the help and guidance of Dr. Frank Reilly (www.equinemedsurg.com) she learned that her horses were insulin resistant. “And although everything else was right, I couldn't control the weather. Our mild winter with temperatures in the 70's then plummeting to the 30's caused an increase in their insulin levels that caused them both to founder. It really helped open my eyes to how much the health of the horse dictates the health of the feet.” Both horses were put on HEIRO and have fully recovered.

Nicole believes that the evolution of the barefoot industry is impacting everyone, including traditional farriers. “I met one of those farriers a few weeks ago. He found out I was a barefoot trimmer and he thanked me. He said that because of what we were doing and what we were learning, he has changed the way he shoes. He has gone from traditional, long toed shoeing, to short toes and natural break-over shoes. Other than that, he encourages them to go barefoot. He said he wanted to invent a shoe that could be strapped on like a sandal so the horse could have hoof protection but not have to use any nails. I told him to follow me to my truck and I introduced him to the Easyboot Glove. He was sold.

Nicole and her family love to camp and trail ride. Their goal is to get out at least once a month for a camping and riding vacation. Their favorite place is The Big South Fork NRRA in Tennessee. They try to get down there at least once a year and stay for one or two weeks.

For more information or to contact Nicole, go to happyfeethorsecare.com.
 

EasyCare welcomes three new retail dealers to the list of thousands who make EasyCare products available to customers across the world.

1. Hap Talman Stockman's Supply

Hap Tallman Stockman's Supply opened almost 50 years ago on an oil and gravel road called Overland in Boise, Idaho. It all began as a feed and vaccine store for horses and cattle. Today, Hap Tallman no longer walks the floors but his legacy lives on.

“This store has been established since 1962. We have been pleasing and displeasing our patrons ever since. We have made money. We have cashed bad checks, we have been cussed and discussed, knocked, talked about, lied about and lied to, held up and robbed. The only reason we stay in business is to see what the heck will happen next!”

2. The Wholistic Pet & Equine

The Wholistic Pet & Equine is situated close to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where the serenity and purity of nature is a daily experience. It was only natural that The Wholistic Pet would eventually evolve.

"Our company is based simply on a desire that a healthy lifestyle should encompass our most dependent and devoted family members, our pets." 

3. Sunset Acres Tack

Sunset Acres Tack has grown from one small room to three rooms and a storage trailer full of awesome deals.

"We’ve met great people at fairs, auctions and at our shop. We look forward to more of the same this year and hope to serve you better through our new online store."

Amanda Beno Marsh has a master’s degree in wildlife biology and wildlife and range resource management. She has had horses and worked with horses since she was very young. She has lived in California, Arizona and Utah and has spent much of her time surfing and rock climbing as well as riding horses. She loves thrills and adventure.

Amanda is now based in the Prescott, Arizona area, but works throughout the state of Arizona and in southern California. She attributes her success to always wanting more information and to further her education. She has a science background, which helps, but lists her foremost experience as the help she has received from Dr. Tomas Teskey, DVM.

Amanda has been trimming for approximately three years. She first started out as a farrier’s apprentice.  "After following him around for several months I decided that the natural approach to hoof care was more my style. I am a science minded person, and I researched the science. I saw results early on and the more I practiced and the more I learned the more I decided that natural hoof care was my “calling”.

Mountain Top stocks the Easyboot Epic, Glove, Edge, Trail, Old Mac's G2 and Comfort Pads. The Old Mac's G2 is her best seller and she generally pairs pads with the boots. 

Amanda trimming at a clinic in Wickenburg, AZ.

Without boots, Amanda says her job would be much harder and horse owners wouldn’t be able to see and feel their horses succeed as quickly as they do. "I always listen to my clients and pay attention to what they want," says Amanda. "I explain everything I do to horse owners and I keep them in the loop. I call to check in about horses on my rounds because I truly want to know how they are doing. I care a lot and that really shows."

Amanda hosted several free clinics and workshops in order to get her name out into the local community, but she says word of mouth has been the most important way for her business to grow.

She and her husband use EasyCare hoof boots on all of their riding horses. They ride barefoot as much as possible, but when the conditions call for hoof protection, they like to use the Easyboot Trail.

When asked about her most rewarding experience as a hoof care practitioner, Amanda tells the story of removing the shoes from the working ranch horses on the Date Creek Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona.  "Kimberley Knight and her husband Stephan worked hard during the transition process," says Amanda. "And because they have done everything right, their horses are well on their way to a successful transition."  A major key to their success has been using the Old Mac's G2s and Comfort Pads when they are working cattle in the rocks. The horses are turned out on several hundred acre pastures. "Kimberley is so fond of her horses, she loves them and wants what’s best for them. She seeks knowledge and doesn’t just rely on me for information. Working with her has raised the bar for me. I feel like anything is possible with natural hoof care."

Amanda's favorite event is the annual Equifest in Prescott each year. Last year she was invited to speak and present a demonstration on natural hoof care. Several thousand people attend the free event every year, and Amanda will be presenting at the event again in September, 2012.

To learn more about Mountain Top, go to barefootnaturalhooftrimming.com.

Based just outside Mooi River in kwaZulu Natal, South Africa, Easyboot SA is run by Ben, Helga and Peter Ward. Ben has an MSc. in Agriculture and worked in the Seed and Agro Chemical industry for many years. He got involved in saddle making through a friend and in 2006, he and Helga took over the running and ownership of Franco C Saddlery.
Their main market is endurance and they compete in the sport with two of their three sons.
Helga grew up on a farm and has been riding since she can remember. After school she studied dietetics and worked in hospitals until she married Ben. She now runs the offices of Franco C Saddlery, Easyboot SA and their local Endurance Club.
Peter is a dairy farmer and breeds American Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. After leaving school he studied for a Bachelor degree in Business Management and went on to complete his MBA. He worked in computers, marketing, sales and general management before going to farming a few years ago. He has been riding and horse-mad for over 50 years. 

Easyboot SA identified three boots as their best-sellers: Easyboot Glove, Easyboot Glue-On and Easyboot Trail. "We felt that these would cover the vast majority of needs in our market," said Peter when asked about their inventory. "We have invested in a full range of sizes as well as accessories for these boots. The best seller so far has been the Easyboot Glove.

Peter does his own trimming and occasionally that of a boot prospect, but he never charges for it. "I enjoy trimming as it increases the bond between you and your horse. When you have a successful endurance event it is nice to know that you set up the hooves."

In July 2011 Peter took a little horse called Buddy to Fauresmith to do the ultimate South African Endurance race: over 200 km. It was the first time for both horse and rider - and the horse only made the age cut by a few weeks. "We finished and Buddy became the first horse in the thirty year history of the race to do it wearing Glue-Ons. We have no doubt that Glue-Ons will be used in every Fauresmith from now on." Peter chronicled his experience in the Team Easyboot blog.

Easyboot SA believes the hoof boot industry is moving steadily upwards. "Horsemen are becoming better informed and more caring for their horses at a very fast rate, thanks to the availability of information via the internet.  Hoof care is an obvious place for many horsemen to improve their animal husbandry as hoof boots such as the Easycare range offer real alternatives to any nail-on shoes, be they metal or plastic," said Ben when asked about what he sees for the future.

When asked about their favorite events, Fauresmith is the consistent answer across all three owners. Peter adds that Tevis is on his bucket list.

If you've ever met Natalie Herman, you will know her to be dependably positive and honest. Since she started her business in 2005, she believes there has been an explosion of booting options, both in the growth of new boot brands and within EasyCare itself.

Natalie attributes her success to her burning desire to learn. She finds she can learn something from everyone. Even if she does not agree, there is always something that might cause her to approach a problem from a different angle. She credits her reputuation to the power of word of mouth and her conscientious approach to customer service. "I do some marketing, but it is a fairly tight community around here. If you want to be successful, you need to have people talking about you in a good way."

Natalie says Easycare makes working with their dealer networks and boot users a pleasurable process. "They have a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff; they have favorable return policies, and when a product is shown to need improvement, they modify the product instead of sticking with the same old thing."

She uses the same philosophy in her own business: "I am very helpful and giving with my knowledge. If a client has a question, they never hesitate to call or email me with it, and I try and help them. A good trim is just the tip of a large iceberg." She studied horseshoeing first, and credits that time with learning the principles of anatomy and a balanced trim. She feels strongly that evolution is just as important in hoofcare as it is in the boots that protect those hooves.

Natalie is quick to compliment EasyCare: "I love how inovative Easycare is, always trying to come up with new solutions to existing boots, or totally new boots when the need arises. Instead of insisting that the user is at fault, or the trims are incorrect, EasyCare tries to find a solution to boot failures by either modifying the boot design, or coming up with a design that fits the activity of that user. She says she's still waiting to see a sliding plate boot, though. "It just amazes me how fast things are changing in the industry," says Natalie, "and I am loving it."
 
Natalie currently owns three horses: a 13 year-old Morgan/Quarter Horse mare that was her first horse and, she says, her best horse. "I tried about everything with her, and she is currently being leased to a friend's daughter. Together they won the state championship for CSHA Trail Trials in their division this year, bare and sometimes booted with Gloves. She was also her experimental horse for getting into barefooting. She always needed shoes with pads in the front, having long toe/low heel issues, and wore the outside branches of her hind shoes to nothing in six weeks. Natalie was skeptical of taking her barefoot. "Her feet became so much better that I decided to completely convert my farrier business to natural hoofcare." She has never looked back.

She bred the mare to the top AERC mileage and Hall of Fame stallion, DR Thunder Bask, and this year her six year-old daughter completed her first endurance season. She has been bare her entire life, and performed wonderfully in Gloves, Epics, and Glue-ons at rides throughout 2011. "She is also my 'thinking outside the box' booting horse. I have had to modify boots and how to apply them to the hoof with her, as she tends to have a lot of torque on the hind end." Having a challenging horse in booting has helped her help others.

Natalie also has a 13 year-old Kentucky Mountain stallion. "He is my 'soul horse' and I love everything about him."

As a small business owner, Natalie keeps a minimum stock for clients, and appreciates the fact that Easycare does not have a minimum order policy amount. Her best-seller is still the Easyboot Glove and Glove Wides. "Most of my cients love them as they are so simple to use. The next best-selling models are the Epic and Easyboot Trail, as both allow a greater range of fitting for clients unable or unwilling to keep the hooves trimmed as frequently as the Gloves require.

Her most rewarding experience as a trimmer was treating her first founder case. "I knew the theory, and had trimmed a few mildly laminitic horses, but not a really bad case. When I called the vet for a consult and to go in and see the radiographs, the vet had basically written the horse off and told me to expect to see the coffin bone coming through the sole." She never did get sole penetration on that horse, but there were months of abscessing. Today the horse has textbook hooves. "This case got me started on the path to working on laminitic horses and it boosted my confidence in the barefoot method."

Natalie's most memorable hoof boot success story is the 2011 XP 2,000 mile ride. "There were a good number of barefoot and booted riders already, but there were also many shod horses competing." The barefoot horses proved to be most of the highest mileage horses on this ride, with over 1,000 miles each during the two-month span. Riders with shod horses discovered the benefits of barefoot/booted protocols, and many of them solved lameness issues during the race by pulling shoes and applying boots. "So much for an extended transition from shoes," said Natalie ironically.

Natalie's prediction for the future? That a barefoot and booted lifestyle will become the norm instead of a fad. "More and more vets and long-time farriers are becoming interested in it. As boots become easy to use and effective as hoof protection, more people see barefoot and booting as a viable option for their horse's hoofcare.

For more information on Epona's Natural Hoofcare Services, visit Natalie's new Facebook page. For more information on becoming a dealer, visit the Dealer's Corner on the EasyCare website.

Matt Jenkins is a relative newcomer to the hoof care industry. He was burnt-out from long hours working at the feedlot and ready for a change in careers. His father called him one day and said he was having trouble with a farrier and unfortunately this wasn't the first time. Instead of dealing with the frustration of finding yet another farrier, he suggested Matt attend shoeing school and at least learn how to trim and shoe their horses. Matt signed up for school and after the first week, he knew he had found his new career. 


Four years later, Matt had a client horse he could not keep sound, nor could he keep shoes on it. Fellow farriers came to the barn to assist him, but to no avail.

The horse's owner was in his late seventies and rode every day. On one of Matt's visits to the barn, he handed him one of Pete Ramey's books. Matt was not impressed at first and told him it wouldn't work. The owner was very persistent but a full year passed before Matt took the leap of faith and pulled this horse's shoes. In six months, the horse had recovered completely. "I was amazed and confused," said Matt. "This mentality was so different from my schooling and how I was taught to raise horses."

Matt secretly started to transition his own horses and could not believe the changes in them. He ordered his own copy of Pete Ramey's book and started reading everything he wrote. Soon he started asking his clients to allow him to pull the shoes to rehabilitate their horses. Today, Matt has a client base of more than 450 horses.

He gets excited when he talks about the many advancements in the hoof boot industry. "There have been tremendous improvements in the quality, fit, and ease of application in the past few years. I have to admit I put down the boots in the beginning and would tell people it's okay for a spare tire but nothing will replace the steel shoe."


Matt comes from a modest family farm south of Marion, Illinois, where they raised cattle, vegetables, rabbits and horses. He has a bachelor's degree in Beef Nutrition from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. He paid his way through college by training horses and driving trucks in the summer.

Today, Matt lives with his wife, Rachel, in Vienna, IL. As an owner of ten Quarter Horses and one Missouri Fox Trotter, Matt attributes his success to patience with people and genuine care for the well-being of horses. All of Matt's horses are booted: "We use Epics and Gloves. My favorite is the Glove but I still have a special place in my heart for the Epic."

Matt has been an EasyCare dealer for about 15 months. He carries Epics, Gloves, Glue-Ons, EasySoakers, Rx and recently added the Trails. His bestseller is the Easyboot Glove.

He graduated from the Kentucky Horse Shoeing school in 2003. He also attended any certification clinic or educational class that he could find. "While transitioning my own thought process to barefoot, I worked at the Agronomy Research Center in Carbondale, IL."

The most rewarding experience Matt has as a trimmer is seeing the look on people's faces and the hugs and tears shed when a horse has been successfully rehabilitated. Most of these clients thought they had done everything and as a last resort they reluctantly tried barefoot. "Yep, their lame horse with no hope walks again."

He can remember standing in a barn with a sad family, a vet and another farrier. The prognosis for the horse was grim: nothing more could be done. He remembers the vet saying to the owners "say your goodbyes, we need to put him down right away." As the farrier and the vet left the barn they looked at Matt and asked if he could fix the situation. 

Matt wasn't practicing barefoot hoof care at the time and this would be his first founder rehabilitation using barefoot methods. "The coffin bone had penetrated both front feet. His frogs were almost non-existent, destroyed by thrush. What was I thinking?" He drove an hour one way every week for several months, then went every three weeks, then every four. Eventually, the horse was doing much better and he moved him to a six week trim cycle. "I am proud to say that the horse is alive and well and guiding trail rides at a local camp. Later I ran into the original farrier. He just shook his head and told me I just got lucky."

When discussing the key to success as a trimmer, Matt's first response is the ability to admit when he has made a mistake. "It goes along way in retaining clients as well as picking up new ones. Obstacles are forever present throughout life and someone is always watching to see how you overcome them."

Matt's leading mentor is Ida Hammer. He also gives credit and an honorable mention to Eric Knapp, Randy Hensley, Jeanie Wright and Debbie Schwiebert from EasyCare.

In his opinion, the barefoot industry is moving forward at a rapid rate. "Everywhere I go, people are showing more interest in barefoot hoofcare. As rule books change in the competitive arena and barefoot horses start out performing shod, change will happen. I also believe barefoot success is parallel to boot success."

Bryan Baire started Palmetto Farrier Service three years ago, after a 20-year career in civil engineering profession working on land development projects. Based in York, South Carolina, Bryan serves the entire Charlotte metro area with a client base of more than 250 horses. He is a graduate of the South Carolina School of Horseshoeing in Aiken, South Carolina. The school is run by Doug Eidenier; a 2009 inductee into the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association (BWFA) Hall of Fame.


Bryan attributes his success to certification through the American Farriers Association. He also believes strongly in continuing education. "A mechanic cannot repair a car without knowing how the internal parts work," he says. "Nor can a hoof-care provider treat, trim and balance a hoof without knowing the mechanics and all the internal structures that make up the equine foot."

There are many aspects of the engineering profession that Bryan uses in his practice. "The lower limb of a horse has very little to no muscle in it so all the tendons and ligaments work together acting as a system of levers and pulleys which I totally understand and am able to apply mechanical engineering principals to."

Bryan says it is it truly is buyer beware in the hoof-care industry when choosing a hoof care provider. Neither education, certification or licensure is required to be hoof care provider in the U.S. "Being certified and continuing education is a way to separate myself from other hoof care providers in my area."

Bryan's competitive advantage is his ability to perform barefoot trims or traditional shoeing. "While not every horse needs to be shod, every athlete needs a good pair of shoes, and the type of shoes they wear depends on the type of sport they play. Golfers, basketball players, bowlers all wear specialized shoes for the sport. The same principals apply to horses. The type of shoe or boot a horse needs is dependent on the activity in which it will be involved."


Bryan references active participation on social networking sites such as Facebook as his most successful marketing strategy. He posts before and after photos of his work for existing and potential customers to see. He also keeps customers updated on his continuing education and certifications. "Even before a new customer calls they can look on my Facebook page and see all the customer comments and look at photographs of my work. Being able to perform barefoot trims and traditional shoes, I am able to do what is best for the horse and the customer." Becoming an EasyCare dealer has also allowed him to separate himself from other hoof-care providers in his area.

He feels that hoof boots are becoming the next big thing since steel shoes. With better designs, and materials, he thinks the peak of the hoof boot industry is still to come. As a traditional farrier, he saw the opportunity to diversify and offer more choices for his customers. "With the economy that we are in, people are stretching and saving every dollar they can. Boots offer a cost effective alternative to shoeing their horses every six weeks. I see more and more horses in hoof boots all the time while trail riding. My basic philosophy is that if a horse can be pasture sound barefoot than boots are the way to go." The success of the barefoot industry, he says, is directly related to the success of hoof boots. "While most horses can be pasture sound barefoot, just about every horse needs some kind of protection on their feet to perform the work being asked of them. Improvements in hoof boots will help the barefoot industry."

Bryan began stocking EasyCare hoof boots just over a year ago. He tried a pair of Easyboot RXs on a laminitic horse and saw the dramatic increase in comfort immediately. He hasn't nailed shoes or pads on a laminitic horse since.


He laughs when questioned about which EasyCare products he carries, and which are his best sellers. "My customers ask that all the time! I tell them it is a matter of preference, and that all the boots work well." He carries Epics, Gloves, Trails and RXs on his trailer so customers can try each of the styles on and see what they like best. Given his personal experience with boots, he will direct them to a particular boot based on shape or condition of the hoof. "Customers really like the new Easyboot Trails. If I have a horse that over-reaches, I will put that horse in the Trails and the problem is solved. The Trail boot has a blunt face on the back of the boot so there is nothing for the hind hoof to grab a hold of and tear."

He owns three horses: a 25 year-old Appaloosa, a 13 year-old Paint, and a 4 year-old spotted saddle horse. All are barefoot and wear Easyboots. His favorite boot is the Easyboot Glove.


What of his most rewarding experience as a trimmer? "Being able to help a horse that is suffering from a painful condition like laminitis be more comfortable. It's also nice to hear customers remark how their horse's feet have never been in better shape and looked so good."

And what of a favorite event he looks forward to all year? The International Hoof-Care Summit every February in Cincinnati, OH. EasyCare will have a booth there this year, so be sure to look us up if you choose to attend!

For more information on Bryan Baire, go to the Palmetto Farrier Service website. For more information on becoming an EasyCare dealer, go to the Dealer's Corner on the EasyCare website.

The Shoein' Shop is a family owned and operated business that has been in operation for 37 years. Lee and Charlotte Green are the owners; however, their daughter, Audrey, plays a vital role in the day to day operations. Lee Green actually started shoeing horses when he was eleven years old, so he has been working with horses for over 50 years. Shoein' Shop is a horseshoe supply business and they work with many other horse supply businesses around the western states. When you walk into their store, you’ll find that they can supply anything that you need to accommodate hoof protection.

 
Shoein' Shop started working with EasyCare in January of 2009.  Back then, they carried a few of the more popular Easyboot styles, but in the last few years they have begun to supply major horseshoeing supply companies in Germany and have found that the EasyCare boots and products are hugely popular. Because of this, their sales have increased tremendously. They are now purchasing every style of EasyCare boots and most accessories.
 
Audrey states that she sees the barefoot industry not only expanding in the United States, but she sees this industry exploding internationally.

For more information, visit the Shoein' Shop website.

Echo valley Ranch Inc., established in 1972 in Auburn California, is EasyCare's Dealer of the Month for September 2011.

Like EasyCare, owner Greg Kimler believes that "success is a direct result of paying attention to the details". He owns nine horses and have been involved in ranching and farming for his entire life.


He recently became interested in endurance trail riding, and he and his wife have both ridden the Western States Trail Ride (better known as the Tevis Cup), with an impressive 3 completions between them. Tevis is a 100 mile trail ride that is ranked among the top ten endurance competitions in the world by Time magazine, alongside events like the the Tour de France, the Iditarod and the Dakar Rally.

Echo Valley Ranch has been proud distributor of EasyCare products for over ten years, carrying the Original Easyboot, the Easyboot Epic, and the EasySoaker and several other EasyCare products. They believe that the hoof care industry has been revolutionized in recent years, with EasyCare hoof boots leading the way.

They look to Garrett Ford and The Fury winning the 2010 Haggin Cup after riding Tevis in Easyboot Glue-Ons as and indication of how far we've come in the hoof care industry. 

Echo Valley Ranch also specializes in feed, with over 10 varieties of hay in stock at all times. They employ a staff of 30, and are actively involved in community programs like 4-H and FFA.

When asked where he thinks the barefoot horse industry is headed, owner Greg Kimler responded: "With a leading distributor like EasyCare, the sky is the limit!"