Easy Boot Horse

The Easyboot Glove Back Country is now available through the entire EasyCare distribution network. That means you can buy your set of Glove Back Country boots via http://www.easycareinc.com or through any of the tens of thousands of EasyCare dealers who have decided to carry the boot model in their inventory.

The Glove Back Country in action.

We posted a number of blogs and two videos about the Glove Back Country to help you decide if it is the right boot for your horse. I've summarized the tools available to you below:

1. Alayna Wiley gives her first written review of the boot in Love at First Sight. In this first review, Alayna describes fit and application as well as her thoughts on the first ride with them.
2. In Fitting the Glove Back Country, Alayna drills down into the differences between fitting a Glove and fitting a Glove Back Country.
3. We made a Glove Back Country application video, which is available on the EasyCare YouTube channel. In it, I describe in detail how to measure, fit and apply the Glove Back Country.
4. And last, but not least, Team Easyboot 2012 member, Carol Crisp, has made a video review with her thoughts on the Glove Back Country whilst riding in the rocky mountains northwest of Denver, Colorado.

The family tree: the Glove and the Trail inspired the evolution of the Back Country.

Don't hesitate to call us for advice on whether or not the Glove Back Country is the right boot choice for your horse.

Keep up the bootlegging!

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

Garrett Ford celebrates Easyboot's win and Best Condition award at the USA Endurance 100-mile Team Time Trial in Texas last weekend.

Kevin Myers points you to four areas of information about the Glove Back Country, including a video review by Carol Crisp.

Dawn Willoughby discusses tips and tricks to combat the effects of diet on the health of horses.

Debbie Schwiebert introduces a must-read article on hoof loading by Gail Snyder in Natural Horse Magazine.

We welcome three new dealers to the EasyCare distribution network.

And Team Easyboot 2012 member Anke Schreiber reports on a hoof trimming clinic she recently attended in Germany.

Do you need support in making boot choices or troubleshooting? You can contact us at the EasyCare offices for free advice, no matter where you purchase your Easyboots.

Please keep in touch: our goal is to help you succeed with EasyCare products and your booting needs.

Read more...

Submitted by Lalita Creighton, Team Easyboot 2012 Member from Hillsboro, Missouri

As I get older, I value certain characteristics in my life more and more. Two of these are reliability and dependability. Not only in my relationships with my family, friends, and even coworkers, but also with my horse and even the tack and equipment I use. I’m always willing to give new things a try, and if they work well, they become part of the “tried and true” I depend on every day.

My horse, Flirt, falls in this category. My husband’s horse, Jinx, also falls in this category. So do the Easyboot Gloves we use on their front hooves, every single ride. We don’t use any boots on their hinds. They are both barefoot, and have been for several years. Although they can probably handle most trails without any boots in front, we like using them for that little bit of extra protection, and not having to worry if we ride somewhere with a lot more rock than is in their pastures.

We originally started using Boa Hoof Boots on Flirt back around 2005, because we just could not keep metal shoes on him no matter what we tried. After having the shoer out three times in one week, and still missing a shoe on Saturday, I threw my hands up in the air and was willing to try anything. Boa Hoof Boots seemed like a good solution. They were easy to put on, I didn’t ride a ton of miles, and I no longer had to worry about lost shoes.  The Boas performed reasonably well, and I used them until 2010. 

I was fortunate enough to be selected for the original Team Easyboot in 2010 (and chosen again both in 2011 and this year – thank you, Easycare), and was able to perform some testing in the new Easyboot Gloves. They were revolutionary. No moving parts to break or replace, fairly easy to put on, and boy do they stay on.

A few years before, I had a barefoot trimmer that stopped trimming due to a back injury teach me to trim our horses. When I had abdominal surgery, my husband stepped up and learned, and to this day does all the trimming. Keeping the hooves in shape for the Gloves is never an issue for us, and we have never had a Glove fail us.

The closest we’ve come to one “failing” was due to poor fit. We had let Flirt’s toes get a bit too long, and his Gloves were fit to that hoof size and shape. As we corrected that runaway toe, his boots became a bit too big and started to occasionally come off.  We found a few wraps of athletic tape around the hoof allowed us to keep using those boots until I could get a Fit Kit and confirm his smaller size.

We’ve also been able to depend on these Gloves to perform duties outside what they are recommended for, and perform well. Flirt had stepped on one heel bulb with his other hoof when he got tangled up on the trail in a badly eroded hill. He walked off without any indication something was wrong, and since he had his boots on, I never thought to get off and check. We rode about ten miles that day, and back at the trailer we discovered he had actually split his heel bulb open about ¼” wide and deep, and about  1” long.

I rinsed it with saline, put a clean bandage on it (no ointments), secured the bandage with tape, and put the boot back on. I hauled him home and called my veterinarian. After explaining the wound and my treatment of it, my veterinarian said he couldn’t do anything more than I had done, and to keep it clean, change the bandage twice a day, use antibiotic ointment, and keep using the Gloves for turnout to help protect the area. For approximately one month we followed this protocol, sometimes leaving the boots off during the night so his hooves would have a break. He never had an infection, never took a lame step, and the boots showed no wear and tear from this usage. This obviously falls outside the normal recommendation for these boots, but I was absolutely delighted with how well they worked.

Just today, after giving the horses the winter off, we hooked up and hauled to a local trail for the first trail ride of the season. I took all of my reliables and dependables with me:  my husband, our horses, and of course our Easyboot Gloves.

Lalita Creighton

Remember the days of dance class and dress rehearsals? The day you got to dress up in satin leotards, make-up, your hair tied in buns,  and dance with none of the pressure of an audience or judges? Those days I waited for, counting down the nights 'till dress rehearsal night and, shortly after, competition day! Inevitably, someone's sequin strap broke, other costumes didn't fit right and false eyelashes came unglued and gouged someone in the eye. Luckily, there was time to fix and perfect, and by the time the actual competition came around the kinks were ironed and everyone was ready to dance. 

Well some things haven't changed for me, although these days there are no more satin leos or sparkly tiaras (most days). I insist on running through a "dress rehearsal" before the first ride of the season, just to make sure all systems go. This year, with a new (to me) endurance horse and two new (to endurance) goofs in the wings, it will be imperative to test my stuff, most specifically my boots, to set myself and my horses up for as much success as I can. 

Nero's dreamy mane... I could look at this view forever!

I have been riding Nero in his Easyboot Gloves for the past month now. He took to the Gloves like a Labrador to a swimming pool. I have ridden Nero now at speed, at a more probable endurance pace, in and out of water, up and down hills and so on. I feel comfortable with the fit of his size 2 Gloves on the fronts and size 1 Gloves, with Powerstraps, on the hinds. I ordered my back-up boots tonight (always make sure you have back-ups before an important event to prevent the inevitable broken sequin strap phenomena) and will be as prepared as I can for the first ride of the season in a couple weeks time. 

Recently I began riding with a new friend who is also new to endurance. Not new to horses being involved in dressage and jumping, she found endurance through some friends, rode two LD rides last year, and has been hooked since. She will be starting her season with the first Idaho ride of the year, and will also be riding her lovely gelding in Easyboot Gloves for the first time.

Tara and Elvis, after their first ride on a sweltering Indian summer day at Owyhee Canyonlands. They obviously fit right in! 

Last week my friend was lamenting whether or not her horse would be ready to complete the LD at the Owyhee Tough Sucker, so I suggested she come out and we go through a trial run to make sure boots fit, new saddle pad worked and Stowaway Pommel Pack was attached firmly where it belonged, as well as assessing her horse's fitness. She happens to work with a very good trimmer and Easyboot dealer who trimmed and fitted her gelding for his Gloves a while back, and as luck would have it, his front boots seemed a bit too large. His back size 1 Gloves with Powerstraps fit beautifully, and with a few wraps of athletic tape around the fronts we headed out to see how things would work. About halfway through the ride, her gelding's front boots, specifically the right front, began twisting. We ended up taking off his front boots and completing our ride, and she will be calling her trimmer for a re-fit this week. To accommodate for the whole trim cycle, she plans to keep her larger 1.5 Gloves for use as needed. 

Twisted right front. A smaller size should prevent any future twistage. 

I learn something from almost everyone I ride with and I appreciate my new friend's easy-going attitude and willingness to understand the importance of a close fit with her Gloves. Her horse is trimmed beautifully and I am confident he will take to his boots like a fat kid loves cake. 

Set yourself up to succeed, folks, and please be sure to give yourself plenty of time before an important event to make adjustments as necessary. Run through your dress rehearsal to make sure your eyelashes stay put and your boots fit right. It's the best thing to do. 

~ Amanda

Carol Crisp has been involved with Team Easyboot for many years. She has a passion for the high elevation mountain trails of the rockies and has become known for putting boots to the test by riding on some of the steepest trails she can find.

Carol recently took delivery of a set of Easyboot Glove Back Country hoof boots and was kind enough to make this video review for us with her horse, Smoke.

Carol makes some interesting points worth underlining:

1. Check the hardware on your boots when you get them out of the box. If you bought from the first batch of Back Country boots, make sure all the screws in the boot are tightened up before you use them for the first time. Carol even puts a dab of nail polish around the screw to keep it in place - and shares a tip on how to remove it if and when you want to change out components.

2. Fit on the Easyboot Glove Back Country is more forgiving that the fit of the Easyboot Glove. You should feel comfortable that going up a half size will still assure you a successful booted experience.

3. Certain boots work better for certain horses. Depending on the conformation of your horse, one boot may perform better than the other. We believe this boot is a good complement to the Easyboot Glove, and allows for more variations in hoof shape and angle than the Glove. It also allows for boot fit throughout a longer trimming schedule.

4. Test the boots before you go out on the trail or go to an event. Carol longes Smoke in the boots before she rides him - just to make sure there is no twisting or signs of rubbing.

Carol's first test of the boots was for over 2.5 hours. I see a future for the Easyboot Glove Back Country. If you subscribe to this blog via RSS, you can see Carol's video review at http://youtu.be/gUXhrqLZYJg.

Thanks Carol. Keep up the bootlegging!

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

Traditions, they say, die hard in the West. Contrary to popular belief, back in the 1800's men weren't the only ones shooting whiskey and packing a Peacemaker. Women were often going toe to toe with the best of cowboys. These women broke tradition and blazed their own trail. They knew no boundaries.

In that same spirit, Kimberly Knight of Date Creek Ranch, Wickenburg, AZ is not afraid to buck tradition. Date Creek is the continuation of over 130 years of family ranching and is now in the capable hands of Kimberly and her husband Stephen. 

This past December Kimberly was interviewed by EasyCare dealer of the month and natural hoof care practitioner Amanda Beno Marsh for Western Horsemen Magazine's monthly feature Women of the West.

As Kimberly reveals in the  interview, Date Creek Ranch embraces innovation and recognizes what it takes to survive in the ranching business today. Proactive and environmentally conscious, the ranch embodies a true spirit of a new West. 

This same forward thinking carries over to the ranch's horse keeping practices. Kimberly, with the help of Amanda Marsh of Mountain Top Hoof Trimming Services have had success keeping the ranch horses barefoot, happy and sound in some very tough country.                                                                                                                                                 

Kimberly, has tried several styles of hoof boots but found the Old Mac's G2  with 12 mm Comfort Pads to be the hoof protection that suits her horses best and can handle the extremely rocky terrain on the ranch. Now with the new Easyboot Glove Back Country she is excited about giving this new boot the ultimate rock test. 

Rocks and more rocks.

The spirit of the West is one of individuals who never settled for the status quo. I challenge you to get a little western and to not be more comfortable with your old problems than with a new solution. Folks from all over the country and around the world just like Kimberly Knight are bucking the tradition of shoeing and choosing a barefoot lifestyle for their horses. Perhaps there's a little bit Western in all of us.

Debbie Schwiebert

Vet Dealer & Hoof Care Practitioner Accounts

I manage the hoof care practitioner and veterinarian dealer accounts at EasyCare. An integral part of my job is to stay current in all areas of barefoot hoof care, which enables me to serve this vital group of EasyCare dealers at the next level.

I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but I was a huge Clash of the Titans fan when I was younger. Since then, the early 80's, I never gave much more thought to Pegasus until I had to come up with an idea for this blog. Then it hit me, Pegasus would have been an awful endurance horse. I discuss the reasons below.

Endurance has always been a great testing arena for hoof boots and EasyCare. The distance, weather conditions, terrain and partnership between horse and ride provide the ultimate test of our boots. EasyCare hoof boots are designed to handle all these conditions and more. Although many of our customers may never test their horses or hoof boots to this extent, we feel it is necessary to our mission of making the best boots in the business. 

Now, back to Pegasus. Sure, he looks fit and ready to go but lets take a look at why he would fail in endurance:

1. Wing placement is not ergonomic and possibly dangerous for the rider.
2. Pegasus needed a golden bridle, not cost effective in any economy.
3. Bellerophon was the only person who could ride Pegasus and I couldn't find any ride results on the AERC website for him.
4. Trailering Pegasus would be a nightmare.
5. Pegasus never wore EasyCare boots.

Brian Mueller

Director of Sales

As the director of sales, I am responsible for identifying new dealer opportunities and building on existing relationships to foster ideas and create additional growth.

I attended the International Hoof Care Summit in February and the AERC convention in March. There is nothing better than getting to spend time with boot users. One of my favorite things to do during trade shows is to start a collection of things people say to show the diversity of user experiences. Below are my six favorites.

1. "You can't canter in Easyboots."

2. "Those boots don't work."

3. "Can you ride in those boots?"

4. "I only finished Tevis because of my Easyboots."

5. "I've never lost a boot."

6. "You don't ride in the kind of country I ride in."

So, about #1: we've been picking up the speed a little in our horse training program. We've been taking advantage of the warmer climate at the New Mexico/Colorado border and getting some training rides in sand washes and along the dirt roads that service the oil fields. The footing is slick in the wet, but it dries out quickly to form a hard-packed surface that we've been getting some speed training on.

Three of the four horses in the video above are wearing Easyboot Gloves (read on for data on the fourth horse). If you subscribe to this blog via RSS, you can see the video at http://youtu.be/68wMnLp_T8A. Two of them are wearing well-used Gloves without any athletic tape. Here are the stats:

Distance: 17.7 Miles (28.5 KM)

Time: 2.2 Hours

Maximum Speed: 15.6 MPH (25.1 KPH)

Elevation Gain: 1,734'

Highest Elevation: 7,400'

Number of Easyboot Gloves Lost: 0

If you found the above video dull, maybe you should check out Garrett's ingenious girth cam footage below, taken at the same time as the first video in this post. You'll find it mesmerizing. If you're an RSS subscriber, see the video at http://youtu.be/dxOSHRooD_Q.

It does a good job of showing the Easyboot Glove at faster speeds and gives you an up-close sense of how much concussion the boots absorb on hard-packed road. How do you like the thud as each hoof boot hits the ground?

Question for the post: one of the horses in the video is testing a prototype of the new EasyShoe. Can you tell which horse it is?

Keep up the bootlegging.

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

Using hoofboots is a big committment for the average rider with one or two horses. For a horse trainer with several horses in and out the door on a regular basis, it can be hell. Last time, I posted about my young gelding, Chant, who is currently in Endurance Horse Boot Camp with a good friend and long-time endurance rider, Darlene Anderson. Darlene and her family have had some pretty high-mileage horses, and Darlene has always been congnizant of her horses feet, their trimming and shoeing. Having a horse with high/low syndrome, she understands proper trimming is paramount to keeping him going, and going he does well. While they do shoe their horses during the competition season, they are used to pulling shoes and continuing to ride regularly throughout the off-season. And although she doesn't ride her own horses barefoot/booted at rides (yet), she did do her first booted ride with me a few years ago after an impromptu trimming/fitting/booting session the day before her mom's horse's first ride (say that ten times fast) and had a successful finish with no boot issues. Thank goodness because that would have been all on me! 

Darlene's first ride in Easyboot Gloves. 2010 Owyhee Tough Sucker.

Last weekend I hopped in the car and took a quick four-hour drive west to Bend, Oregon, where little Chantly has been living. I brought an arsenol of footcare items- all my trimming tools (afterall, he was last trimmed by a FARRIER), boots, boots and more boots. I had sent a box of boots for Darlene to try on Chant a couple weeks earlier, based on what I *thought* would fit him. Although I sent him to training with boots that fit at that time, he has since grown out the remainder of the foot that he had when he came to me, and as result, has gone down a size in boots. While it's obviously a challenge to fit boots from 250 miles away, the distance isn't the only challenge. 

Another challenge we face is the six week trimming schedule, which is not necessarily a death-sentence in boot fitting, but may require a few more tricks in the bag. We also have someone who is newer to using Gloves but definitely not new to using Easyboots. Although we're facing a few road bumps, this is NOT the end of the world.

Like I said previously, Darlene and her crew are used to continuing to ride throughout the off-season despite pulling shoes in October or November. She has a pretty good stash of Original Easyboots, which they use throughout the winter. Here I admit my predjudices, as I have never used Original Easyboots nor did I believe they were a great option. Shame on me. Those things are awesome! The morning of our big ride Darlene slapped a set of four Original Easyboots on her man's horse and they never looked back. I love learning new things! While I was there, Darlene decided to use my experience fitting boots to get a fantastic little mare, Soul Sister, owned by Team Easyboot members Dennis and Sue Summers, to a set of Gloves. We popped a pair of size 1 Gloves on Sister's front feet and pounded on a size 0.5 on her back feet. Again, we never looked back (or should I say, down?). 

Lumpy and his snazzy red and black Original Easyboots, to go with his snazzy red and black color theme. I was so impressed by these boots.

Darlene, Lumpy and Sister slipping under a cool tree limb that keeps the BIG horses off this trail. So glad I wasn't riding either of my moose. Sister moved beautifully in the Gloves and will do well with them throughout her career. 

Chant was next. Although I had planned on trimming him while I was there, the previous trim by the farrier was so great, I opted to leave him alone and let the farrier trim him on his next visit, which happens to be this Thursday. I can't hardly believe I, the control freak of the century, just said that. But seriously peeps, the trim was good, Chant's feet grow and wear evenly and balanced and my back hurts. It's so worth the money. However, because we were four and a half weeks into the trim, we were pretty tight on fit and had to pound a bit with the rubber mallet to really set the boots. Because I had doubts they would have fit the next weekend at five weeks, I decided to leave another pair of Gloves the next size up for his front feet to be used depending on his trim cycle. The backs can go bear at that point if necessary and hopefully we're covered.

First of all, I have to say I have the Best.Friends.Ever. However my girlfriend found this shirt, I have no idea. But I love it and it was so perfect. Luckily Chant stayed true to his given name, Enchanter, and didn't need the nickname during this ride. You know you have good friends when :).

Chant strides out in his Gloves. Not pulling TOO hard here- he is a GOER!

Well how was the ride you ask? Wonderful!! Not only did my young gelding NOT try to kill me, all of our boots stayed put and the day was as gorgeous as you could ask for. Because of all the flack I got using hoofboots in the beginning when it was "taboo," I always hope my rides in boots with those who aren't devout booters go seamlessly and was thrilled when we never glanced at our boots all day and found them securely set when we went to take them off upon arriving home. EasyCare, I love you. 

Chant continues to improve and we'll see what the future holds for us. For now, he's set up with a great trainer, a great trimmer and boots that should fit him throughout a six-week period. Would it be easier to put shoes on him and forget about it? Probably. But with a little effort and a few willing participants it isn't necessary. Aren't we lucky to have the option? 

I love the Gloves. 

~ Amanda

I just got back from three days in Reno, Nevada, where the annual American Endurance Ride Conference's convention took place. There were Easyboot users blended throughout every award category imaginable. And although the endurance segment represents only a small percentage of the Easyboot customers, their achievements showcase what can be done with our products in the most extreme challenges known to the human/equine partnership.

If you ever had the misguided opinion that Easyboots don't work, please take note of the following notable accomplishments by Easybooted riders.

Carla and Kid's banner used at the EasyCare booth during the 2012 AERC Convention.

1. National High Mileage Champion: Carla Richardson

Carla Richardson rode her horse SS Kharady Kid +/ through 2,525 miles during the 2011 ride season, Carla and Kid started and completed 50 events across the nation. Every one of those rides was in Easyboot Gloves or Glue-Ons. As a point of interest, 7 of the top 10 horses in the National Mileage Championship were campaigned in hoof boots.

Leah accepts her award from Bruce Weary at the AERC Awards Banquet on March 10, 2012.

2. Jim Jones Stallion Award: Leah Cain

Leah Cain and TAR Pistol Pete +/ rode 1,235 miles during the 2011 ride season. Every mile was in Easyboot Gloves or Easyboot Glue-Ons.

Dennis & Sue Summers near Tom's Thumb in Scottsdale, Arizona.

3. Julie & Bob Suhr Husband & Wife Team Award: Dennis & Sue Summers

Dennis and Sue Summers pick and choose the events at which they use with Easyboots Gloves and Glue-Ons. They accumulated an impressive 2,265 miles between them during the 2011 ride season, and most of those miles were in Easyboot products.

Jeremy & Riverwatch's banner used at the EasyCare booth during the 2012 AERC Convention.

4. 2011 Tevis Winner & Haggin Cup Winner: Jeremy Reynolds

The 2011 Tevis and Haggin Cup winner was Jeremy Reynolds from Reynolds Racing. Jeremy and Heather compete exclusively in Easyboot Glue-Ons.

A recent full-page print ad featuring Christoph Schork.

5. 2011 AERC 100-Mile National Championship: Christoph Schork

Christoph Schork rode Stars Aflame to the first place position at the National Championship and received the Best Condition award. Christoph also has the enviable title of being the rider with the most first place finishes in AERC history, with more than 230 wins to his name. He and his partner, Dian Woodward, compete exclusively in Easyboot Glue-Ons and train in Easyboot Gloves.

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

While I was making dinner last night I started thinking of the greatest food combinations of all time. Here is my list.

10.  Popcorn and butter

9.   Chips and Salsa

8.   Peanut butter and Jelly

7.   Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

6.   Burger and Fries

5.   Soy sauce and Wasabi

4.   Cookies and Milk

3.   Bacon and Eggs

2.   Pizza and Beer

1.  Easyboot Glove and Easyboot Trail

Ok, so my mind slipped a bit off task, but the new Easyboot Glove Back Country was borne out of combining EasyCare's two top selling hoof boots. This new combination takes the very best from two great products and morphs them into a new boot that will offer additional solutions for horses that may have had trouble using the Glove or Trail. Some of the features that make the Back Country one-of-a-kind:

• The Comfort Cup Gaiter is incorporated into the rear of the boot for the latest technology in support and protection of the soft tissue areas
• The lightweight upper stabilizes the boot on the hoof
• Quick and easy to put on and take off: no strength or force required
• Available in 18 regular and wide sizes to fit most breeds
• Completely convertible: built on the Easyboot Glove chassis, this boot can be converted into an Easyboot Glove or Easyboot Glue-On (additional accessories required)
• Sold in singles

On top all of this, it looks amazing too!

Get yours today.

Brian Mueller

Director of Sales

As the director of sales, I am responsible for identifying new dealer opportunities and building on existing relationships to foster ideas and create additional growth.

This video was shot in the Hansen Dam Reservoir on Big Tujunga Creek, about twenty miles northeast of Los Angeles. The terrain is very challenging: the fire trails are mostly decomposed granite, the creek beds are dry, sandy and rocky in the summer but there is plenty of water in the winter when the rains come. Throughout the year there is always some water to cross so protective hoof boots are always subject to the wet.

In 2010, I rode over a thousand miles in the reservoir and the surrounding fire trails of the Angeles National Forest. I did it using a single pair of Easyboot Gloves on the fronts. Those Gloves lasted the entire year. This video was shot in May of 2011. In the video, my mare, Kitty, is wearing Easyboot Gloves on all fours.

My horse is a 14 year old Thoroughbred mare, who has been barefoot for six years. She is a classic example of a Thoroughbred who had flat, shelly, flaky feet, thin soles and poor walls. As the ill-informed like to say, "typical Thoroughbred feet." She also had a tendency to stumble. Well, not any more. She has thick soles, thick walls, great concavity and terrific laminar connection. And no more stumbling!

I have used EasyCare products since going barefoot. Many thanks to EasyCare for producing this great equipment. 

I am perpetually amazed at what these animals give us day in and day out. This video speaks for itself.

Thank you, Randy Oglesby

Dee Reiter

Customer Service

When you call EasyCare, I’m one of the folks that will answer. I’m also one of the cowgirls in the group. (Heck no, I don’t show, I Rodeo!) When it comes to life’s adventures – never pull back on the reins, and remember: the world is best-viewed through the ears of a horse!

Have you been wanting to get a better look at the Easyboot Glove Back Country and how to put it on? We've just published the official EasyCare application video for this new boot.

A still shot of the Easyboot Glove Back Country in action - photo courtesy of Bernd Jung.

In the video below, you can hear a description of the boot components, and the best practices for putting the boot on.

If you subscribe to this blog via an RSS feed, you can see the video by clicking on the Easyboot Glove Back Country Video link.

Keep up the bootlegging!

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

There is always talk of the importance of boot fit, but what about gaiter fit? Is it too loose? Too tight? Well, I am going to give a few tips, so sit back and take a deep breath. 

Let's use the Easyboot Glove as an example, even though any EasyCare boot with a gaiter could be used.

Typically, the gaiter should be very snug once the boot itself is on the hoof correctly. I have seen other riders with snug gaiters, finger loose gaiters, and just plain ol' four fingers between the pastern and gaiter loose gaiters. I think each horse/rider team has a preference, as it should be. But what else can be done for a happy fit?

If your horse is anything like mine, there are those feathers that get in the way. What am I talking about? Check out the photo below.

Hair much?

Ahhh, much better.

So the question is, should I trim or even clip those hairy feathers away? The answer is: it depends. If the hair under the gaiters are getting matted, full of sweat and mud or you think the gaiter doesn't have the best fit in your opinion, then yes. Also, if you are concerned about underlying possible rubs it would be a good idea to nix the hair. Starting with a 'clean' slate will give you an idea about boot and gaiter fit. As a distance rider and a rider with very long hair, I personally feel for the horse and like to get all that hair out of the way. I know I would appreciate it.

Tight gaiters, loose gaiters, hairy pasterns or not, the importance is a comfy horse in well fitting EasyCare boots and a happy ride.

The Easyboot Glove Back Country is added to the Easyboot product line as of today; Monday, March 5, 2012.  We have had some fun with the 30 day countdown and now all the ripples will be taken for you to see the boot in detail. 

The Easyboot Glove Back Country in a clear mountain stream.

I'm really excited about this hoof boot design and expect it to be a favorite with trail and back country riders.  The boot combines many of the features of the Easyboot Glove and a quick wrap outer cover similar to the Easyboot Trail.  I believe the Back Country will be one of our most versatile boots and will quickly become our best seller.

Easyboot Glove Back Country (BC) boots drying after a long afternoon in the Colorado mountains.

Some of my reasons I believe the BC will be on of our best hoof boots. 

• The boot is very easy to apply and remove.
• The upper is form fitting and reduces unnecessary bulk. 
• The Easyboot Glove Back Country will come in 18 sizes.  11 standard and 7 wide sizes.
• The Back Country will use the same lower shell as the Easyboot Glove.  This will allow riders to use the EasyCare fit kit system to insure a proper fit.
• All parts of the Back Country and replaceable.  Shell, Comfort Cup Gaiter and outer cover.
• The parts can be mixed and matched for various and unusual hoof shapes and sizes.  If you have a horse with very large heel bulbs it's easy to custom build a Back Country with a larger outer cover.
• It will be a favorite for retail dealers.  The wide size selection and one color combination reduce inventory and will allow one boot to work for many customer segments. 

Gene Limlaw and Grace put the Back Country to the test with a fast gallop!

The Back Country is launched at a great time.  The weather is getting warmer and its time to get the horses on the trail.  Over the past weekend on the endurance trail hoof boots shined once again.  The Old Pueblo Endurance Ride confirmed to me that hoof boots are the best type of hoof protection in hard, rocky conditions.  On the first day of the event there were roughly 1/3 of the participants in the 50 and 25 mile events using Easyboots.  After the awards presentation the first evening we held and impromptu drawing for the riders using Easyboots.  Doug Swingley won the drawing and EasyCare paid his ride entry for the day. 

Roughly 1/3 of the riders at the Old Pueblo Endurance Ride used Easyboots.  Many of the first day Easyboot riders are pictured above. 

We hope you enjoy the Easyboot Glove Back Country.  Keep an eye open for a couple more hoof protection products to hit the EasyCare line in 2012.  Two of them will be sure to shake things up.

Garrett Ford

President & CEO

I have been President and CEO of EasyCare since 1993. My first area of focus for the company is in product development, and my goal is to design the perfect hoof boot for the barefoot horse.

The launch date of the new Easyboot Glove Back Country has finally arrived. Here are four things you need to know:

1. The boot is available for the month of March exclusively through seven partner dealers across the globe. That means you can only buy it from them until Monday, April 2, 2012. The list of Glove Back Country dealers is as follows:

Valley Vet Supply
Marysville, KS 66508
Phone: (785) 562-5106
Website: www.valleyvet.com

Trelawne Equine Ltd
Devon, EX21 5XE
Phone: 441409221824
Website: www.trelawneequine.co.uk
 
HufCheck Bernd Jung
Oberrot, D-74418
Phone: 49-0-681-41099684
Website: www.hufcheck.de
 
Hauptner Instrumente GmbH
Zurich, 8305
Phone: 01141448059911
Website: www.hauptner.c
 
Hoofgroove GmbH
Stadel, 8174
Phone: 41-43-311-99-88
Website: www.hoofgroove.ch
 
Ets Weal
Le Passage, 38490
Phone: 0033474887903
Website: www.sosabots.com
 
Mike Ware
Burrill Lake, NSW, 2539
Phone: (42) 864-9369
Website: www.easycaredownunder.com.au

Go to the Easyboot Glove Back Country boot page to link directly to their websites.

Testing the Glove Back Country.

2. The boot is available in 18 sizes. Just like the Easyboot Glove, it will come in 11 regular sizes and 7 wide sizes. You can see the sizing chart on our website. Because of the way the boot attaches around the hoof, the Glove Back Country will be more forgiving with fit throughout the entire growth cycle between trims. If you have a long trim cycle, you can even go a little larger in sizing to accommodate the growth.

3. We're calling this a medium to high mileage boot. We've given it a mileage rating of 25 - 50 miles per week. We're interested in user's experiences with it: there is a chance this could serve as a higher mileage boot.

4. The Easyboot Glove Back Country is built with the finest and most luxurious materials available today. Think of it as the finest off-road vehicle you've ever driven.

See the Easyboot Glove Back Country page now, or for more information on the boot components, visit easybootglovebackcountry.com.

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

Spring has sprung in southern Arizona and love is in the air. My three year love affair with the Easyboot Glove is over – there’s a new boot in my life, the Easyboot Glove Back Country. Some may criticize me for leaving my old boot for a younger model, but I couldn't help but fall head over heels for the Glove Back Country. Last weekend I had my first ride with these boots in picturesque Catalina State Park...it was magical.

Poppies blooming in front of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

The moment I saw the Glove Back Country I was impressed with the superior quality of the components: the proven tread design of the Glove, the soft comfort cup gaiter, and the breathable upper (made of the most durable materials available). The Back Country is the result of combining two of our best boots, the Easyboot Glove and the Easyboot Trail. In 2011, the Glove was awarded Horse Journal's Product of the Year, and the Trail was a Horse Journal Best Buy - with inspiration like that how can you go wrong?

The Easyboot Glove Back County (center) combines successful
features of the Easyboot Glove (left) and the Easyboot Trail (right).

The Glove Back Country is a medium to high mileage riding boot (25-50 miles per week) which makes it ideal for the majority of riders. Although the sizing chart is the same as the Easyboot Glove, the fit does not need to be as snug. Customers who were unable to use the Glove due to length of trim cycle or lack of hand strength will be able to use the Back Country by selecting a half size larger. If you do not have previous experience with the Glove, we recommend getting a Fit Kit to ensure you select the proper size. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding fit; call 1-800-447-8836 and one of our customer service representatives will be happy to help you.

Glove Back Country ready for application.

The Glove Back Country is easy to apply with virtually no hand strength required. To prepare the boot for application, first open the upper and fold it forward, temporarily securing the upper in this position with the Velcro (see photo above). Next, fold down the gaiter so that it is flush with the shell of the boot. Facing the rear of your horse, pick up the hoof and put it into the boot toe first. Pull the gaiter over the heel bulbs and put the hoof down. To secure the upper, unfold from the front and pull the flap with the Back Country logo snug across the back. Pull the second flap over the first and finish by securing the Velcro piece with the Back Country logo.

Glove Back Country after putting the hoof down (left) and securing (right).

My first ride in the Glove Back Country was a huge success! Since the size 1 Glove is very snug on Cal, I decided to size up to a 1.5 for the Back Country. I took Cal out on a six mile route with varied terrain. The trails in Catalina State Park are the perfect boot testing grounds taking us through some deep sand and in and out of steep rocky washes. I didn't go through water on my first ride but plan to soon. The ride was comprised of equal parts walking and trotting with some cantering thrown in on the nice stretches. The boots performed flawlessly: they were secure and there were no rubs. I can't wait to ride in these boots again and have no doubt that they will be our most popular boots in 2012.

For more information on the individual components of the the Glove Back Country, visit easybooglovebackcountry.com. To see the boot page and find out how and where to purchase the boot, go to our website.

Alayna Wiley

Customer Service

As one of the customer service representatives, I am happy to help get your horse into the right boots. I have plenty of hands on experience since my horses have been barefoot and booted since 2003.

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.

We've been sneaking various peaks at the Easyboot Glove Back Country over the last few weeks. The big launch is scheduled for March 5 - this coming Monday - but more about them next week. It will be available via a few dealers from across the globe who have partnered with us on the launch of what might be the most exciting boot in the company's history.

Our Best Boots Combined

The Glove Back Country pairs the form fitting Glove chassis and incorporates an easy to secure upper modeled after the Trail. Built to provide ultimate durability using the latest in design and material technology, the Glove Back Country has an infinitely flexible closure system that wraps around the hoof wall. The result: a hoof boot that stays secure in the toughest of trail conditions on the most challenging of hoof shapes.

A Soft, Durable Internal Upper

Lightweight, ergonomic and breathable, The Easyboot Glove Back Country has a soft internal upper that caresses the soft tissue areas of the hoof and lower leg.

We’ve used the latest in technology to build an upper that combines softness and flexibility with the most durable materials on the market today. The result is a boot that secures and stabilizes the foot, reducing fatigue and keeping debris out.

The Comfort Cup Gaiter

The Comfort Cup System: a new form of gaiter built into the back of the boot to caress and protect the soft tissue areas at the rear of the horse’s hoof. Supple and resilient, the Comfort Cup is designed to flex with each step and hug the back of the pastern. And because the gaiter is independent of the flexible Cordura® upper, we’ve virtually eliminated the risk of rubbing.

A Convertible Boot

Built on a shared platform, the Easyboot Glove Back Country can easily be transformed into an Easyboot Glue-On or Easyboot Glove. Turn the Glove Back Country into a Glue-On by removing the flexible upper and Comfort Cup gaiter. Turn it into an Easyboot Glove by attaching a Glove Gaiter.

An Anatomically Designed Sole

The Easyboot Glove Back Country uses the award-winning tread design from the Easyboot Glove. The anatomically designed sole provides maximum flexibility and resists wear.

The sole shape is available in 18 regular and wide sizes, just like the Easyboot Glove, accommodating a broad variety of hoof shapes for definitive comfort and security. This is a medium to high mileage riding boot (25 – 50 miles per week).

Go to easybootglovebackcountry.com on Monday for the unveiling.

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

As I look back over the Easyboot Facebook questions to you from the last few months, there are common themes in your responses.

If you could have any wish come true for 2012, what would it be?

*  More time in the saddle
*  To ride my horse on the beach
*  Compete a season of LD's with Easyboot Gloves
*  Hit the dusty trail more often

What is the single most important lesson you learned from your horse in 2012?

*  Not take him for granted, life is short - ride while you can
*  I can't live without them
*  He can go barefoot with the help of his Easyboot Gloves
*  She is a keeper, a once in a lifetime horse


* Think outside the box in training and protective hoof boots
* Be quiet and take the time to listen to your horse





Do you have a New Year's Resolution?

*  Ride More
*  Win another barrel racing buckle (a girl after my own heart)
*  More time in the saddle out on the trails
*  Get a pair of Easyboots
*  Make riding time a priority
*  Try out Easyboots with studs so I can ride in the snow





What are the common themes? More time in the saddle, escape to the trail and have your horse in Easyboots.


Reminds me of some of the words in Kenny Chesney's song, Reality.

"Reality, sometimes life ain't all it's cracked up to be.
So, let's take a chance and live this fantasy
cause everybody needs to break from reality.
Where we feel that sense of freedom
Leave our worries behind, we don't need 'em
All we need is a sunny day and we'll escape realty."
 

Dee Reiter

Customer Service

When you call EasyCare, I’m one of the folks that will answer. I’m also one of the cowgirls in the group. (Heck no, I don’t show, I Rodeo!) When it comes to life’s adventures – never pull back on the reins, and remember: the world is best-viewed through the ears of a horse!