Hoof Boot News

2011 is a year that I'll remember for acceptance of natural hoof care practices, hoof boots and barefoot trimming. 

Yes, natural hoof care has been around along time and many people feel it's the only way to keep a horse.  There are also many people who believe all horses must wear iron shoes.  I think the thing that I noticed most about 2011 is a broad, mainstream acceptance of barefoot hoof care.  Horse owners that have had every horse shod for years now have one or two going strong barefoot or booted.  I've noticed a change in thinking, it's no longer a debatable topic but a successful tool in the bag of tricks of the equestrian trade. 

Here is my list of why I believe natural hoof care made a big step forward in 2011, why it will continue in 2012 and where EasyCare needs focus in the future.   I'll start with #1 and cut right to the chase.

1.  Pete and Ivy Ramey release a monumental book about natural hoof care called "Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot".  Pete and an incredible group of contributing authors (Robert Bowker, Hilary Clayton, Brian Hampson, Eleanor Kellon, Kerry Ridgway, Debra Taylor and Kathryn Watts) lay out the importance of hoof care theory, nutrition and the hoof, trimming different parts of the hoof, laminitis management and feral horse foot studies.  The book is incredible and a must read for equine professionals, horse owners and anyone who cares for the equine hoof.  If you believe in the phrase "No Hoof, No Horse" this book will bring your knowledge to a whole new level.


2.  Tevis Cup 2011.  The toughest 100 mile horse race in the world tests horses, riders and hoof care management techniques more than any other venue in the world.  Jeremy Reynolds wins both the Tevis Cup and Haggin cup using Easyboots on a barefoot horse.  In addition to Reynolds impressive results, Easyboots were used on the 3rd place horse, 5th place horse and an additional 6 horses in the top twenty.  In total 28 barefoot/Easybooted horses finished the 2011 event.  The Tevis Cup continues to show that barefoot/booted horses care compete and win at the highest levels of equine sport.


3.  Horse Journal names the Easyboot Glove as Horse Journal Editor's Choice and the Easyboot Trail and Horse Journal Best Buy.  Horse Journal is a cool equine magazine that does a great deal of product testing and reviews.  They don't take advertising dollars so their reviews are usually very good and on target. 


4. EasyCare has promoted the $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest since 2005.  Although the Hoof Boot Contest has been very successful and has helped promote hoof boots and barefoot horses in one of the toughest equine sports, 2011 will bring an end to the successful $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest and we will soon launch the inaugural 2012 International Transition Challenge.  The Transition Challenge will showcase horse owner and hoof care professional horse transitions.  The new contest will highlight the importance of routine hoof care maintenance, proper nutrition and exercise.  The change of direction will take our contest focus off long distance racing and put money and energy into a contest where improving the lives of horses will be highlighted and rewarded.  More information will be coming soon.  

5. Advancement, another area of focus for EasyCare in 2012.  It's 2011 and in many areas of the equine industry we are still using products and methods developed hundreds of years ago. Why do other sports like cycling, skiing, climbing, and running continue to advance?  If you look at a bike developed 20 years ago you would think it belonged in a museum.  If you looked at a saddle developed 20 years ago you would think it looks just like the saddles being made today.  One of EasyCare's goals moving forward is to borrow technology from other industries and bring it into the equestrian industry.  Time to look at things differently. 
 

I had the opportunity to put first ever tracks on earth over the Thanksgiving weekend. Two new hoof protection inventions were used in soft soil conditions that may potentially leave fossil tracks for the next inhabitants of the earth. 


Have you ever wondered how they will react to the tracks we leave on earth? Will the next inhabitants look at booted horse tracks and wonder what the heck?  Will the hoof tracks covered with hoof boots and iron shoes confuse them or will they even care? 

I personally always look at tracks when I'm out and about.  "Is that an Easyboot track?" "Wow that's a great looking barefoot track."  "Is that an Easyboot Glove track?" "Mountain Lion or bear?"  "Montrails or New Balance?".  Kind of fun to see who's making tracks.

What's next for EasyCare and what will 2012 bring?

EasyCare, Easyboots and booted horses are coming off a very successful fall. The results of the 2011 Tevis Cup once again show that booted horses are competing and winning at the highest levels of equine sports. The Haggin Cup was won by horses wearing Easyboots in 2010 and 2011.

Reynolds Racing dominates at Tevis 2011. Jeremy Reynolds wins both the Tevis Cup and Haggin Cup in Easyboots.

New Segments
Although barefoot booted horses are competing successfully in many equine segments there are a great number of sports that either have rules that prohibit hoof boots or hoof boots are just not accepted by participants. EasyCare is looking at some of these segments and we are working on products that will give horses the ability to compete in these areas with success. These products will blur the line between boots and shoes.

New Products
In addition to the concentration on new segments we will introduce new products and sizes to our current user segments. Expect some of our better products to be crossed, resulting in hybrid products.

Product Reduction
We have a couple of different products that have run their course and they will phased out during the 2012 calendar year.


One of the segments we believe could benefit from alternatives in hoof protection is the race track industry. To further my research, I just completed a trip to Delaware Park and had the opportunity to get an inside view of the track industry. I had the opportunity to stay with Lynn and Mark Ashby of MarLyn stables. Lynn has been one of the leading Arabian track trainers for over 20 years and they also participate in thoroughbred racing. Lynn allowed me to tag along in the shed rows, be part of the workouts, see the feeding routines, and converse with the track farriers. The owners, trainers and farriers are excited about the new concepts.

What are your suggestions for EasyCare in 2012? Are you involved in an equine segment that could benefit from a custom hoof boot? We would love your feedback and ideas.

The 2011 Tevis Cup 100 Mile Horse Race is days away.  The EasyCare staff will be helping many of the horses competing in the event with Easyboot Glue-On boot installation during the week of October 3rd.  This is the third consecutive year that Easyboots have been the leading alternative choice of hoof protection choices for Tevis Cup riders. The lightweight race boots are perfect for the rocky, technical conditions. 


The weather forecast for California and the Sierra Mountains calls for rain, snow and wind for Tuesday October 3rd, Wednesday October 4th and Thursday October 5th.  The weather looks like it will clear for the event but will present difficult conditions for our gluing teams.  Wet and cold conditions present challenges but should not influence glue-on success. 

Here is my shortlist of tips and tricks that make hoof boot gluing more successful in wet or cold weather conditions. 

1. Start with a well trimmed horse before the event.  The last thing needed to complicate wet and cold conditions is a poorly trimmed hoof. 
   
2. Glues don't do well with oil, moisture and cold.  Make sure no oils or hoof conditioners get onto the hoof.  Refrain from washing the horse before the event with shampoo: the oils run down the legs and coat the feet.  No fly spray on the feet and hoof walls before the event.
3. If it’s raining, keep your horse in a trailer or stall with shavings.  Although it may be cramped in there, it's a perfect place to glue because it's warm and dry. 
   
4. Keep your boot shells dry and clean in the plastic bags they ship in. Do not to handle them with bare hands, be especially careful not to touch the inside of the boot shell.  Oils from your hands stick to the boot and compromise the bond with the glue.
   
5. Warm the boots, warm the glue and warm the hoof.  Try to get them all to the same temperature level.  Heat guns are very useful to warm and dry the hoof.  They can also be used to heat the glue-on shells in cold conditions.  Try placing the glue packages on the floorboards of a vehicle with the heater on. 
   
6. If the horse's feet are wet or muddy, use denatured alcohol on the hoof after they have been cleaned.  The alcohol helps pull moisture out of the hoof. 
   
7. Use a heat gun.  The heat gun dries and warms the hoof.  Do not skip this step. 
   
   

Success in Easyboots at Tevis.

Wet and cold conditions make hoof boot gluing a bit more challenging, but with the tricks above you will be successful.  Wishing all the 2011 Tevis riders the best of luck!

Look at the other sporting goods industries and see how fast they are changing. Mountain bikes change every year and we are now seeing carbon frames, carbon wheels and complete bikes that weigh less than 20 lbs.


Look at downhill skiing and the technology in shaped skis, boots and bindings. They get better and better every year. Look at something very gear free like swimming and the advancements in low drag swim suits changes yearly. Look at golf. Golf club technology is new and improved every year. You blink in these industries and you get left behind. Compare these industries to the equine industry and the fact that the majority of our equine partners are still competing in iron shoes and saddles that haven't changed in decades.

The slow rate of change and acceptance in the horse industry has been personally highlighted by a recent entry into the flat track racing industry. I've written about our journey trying to enter the world of flat track racing and it's a perfect example of why the horse industry is slow to change. Take a peek at the story here "The Horse That Wasn't Allowed to Race"


Most other industries are changing at a rapid pace, so why is the equine industry so slow to change? Look at the racing industry as just one example. Life on the race track presents challenges to the equine hoof. Many track horses have challenges with brittle walls, tender feet, lack of support, and contracted heels from continuous shoeing. Track horses that rip off a shoe and lose hoof wall also have a difficult time holding shoes and as a result miss conditioning and races. Track horses are subjected to pounding workouts and as a result are prone to injury. Is the aluminum race plate the end solution? Is an aluminum racing plate the end game? We don't believe it is and for the reasons above EasyCare believes the sport could benefit from a more supportive shoe.

The technology is available to make a lightweight race shoe for the equine track athlete. EasyCare has developed a shoe that offers the following.

1. The Easyboot Race will allow the hoof to expand and contract as nature intended.
2. The Easyboot Race will provide support and comfort for quarter cracks.
3. The Easyboot Race will allow farriers and trainers another tool for problem feet that will not hold nails.
4. The Easyboot Race will allow farriers and trainers an option that flexes and absorbs concussion to extend the horse's health and longevity.
5. The Easyboot Race can be trimmed and modified to suit a specific horse, track or surface.
6. The Easyboot Race will be less likely to hurt horses, jockeys or spectators if they do come off.
7. The Easyboot Race will allow trainers to train the horses harder and on less than perfect surface conditions.
8. The Easyboot Race will bring the track an affordable glue-on solution.

The track seems very hesitant to change. Although we have tried everything to learn the rules and participate at Arapahoe Park with new hoof protection that gives the industry options, we have so far not been able to compete because the stewards and race director have determined the Easyboot Race shoe violates rule 7.608.


"7.608 - Bar plates may be used only with the consent of the Division Veterinarian. The commission may limit the height of toe grabs for any breed at a live race meet. Toe grabs with a height greater than the maximum set by the commission, bends, jar caulks, stickers and any other traction device worn on the front hooves of horses while racing or training on all surfaces, are prohibited. The horse shall be scratched and the trainer may be subject to fine for any violation of this rule."

As I ride my Specialized Carbon Epic down the mountain trails my mind wonders. Why is the equine industry slow to change? Are saddle designs, metal shoes and bits the best we can do? Have we come to a limit in the industry where we can't improve? Why do many of the organizations that govern the equine sports have rules that prevent change?

As we participate in other sports and see the advances in technology the lack of advancement in the equine industry become more and more obvious. Does your sport have a rule that prohibits new saddles, new hoof protection or new helmets? Do you believe the rules prevent you and your horse from competing at your highest ability? Challenge the rules. Ask why! Help the equine sports catch up with the rest of the sporting industries.

We had a very good meeting with the director of racing and the three stewards at the Arapahoe Park race track.  Although I'm disappointed that Clunk was not allowed to participate in the Sunday August 21st Stakes Race,  I believe the Saturday August 20th meeting laid a solid foundation for allowing our shoes to participate at Arapahoe in 2012.  

Clunk made it home Saturday night and is turned out with some of the other geldings.  Clunk is the second grey to the left.  We are looking at giving the Texas tracks a try in September.

From my perspective, the stewards were very impressed with the Easyboot Race shoe and they believed our shoe would be beneficial to track horses in training and competition. I heard “very nice job” and  “looks exactly like an aluminum plate” on multiple occasions.  In addition, I believe they all were under the assumption that the new sole pattern was identical to the current aluminum race plates being used at the track.  I believe that each of stewards felt the Easyboot Race shoe fell well within the current rules but all want the final decision to come from a higher power or the rule-making committee.  We are in this for the long haul and I’m happy to go through the process.

The director encouraged us to participate in aluminum plates but we decided it would be the best decision to scratch Clunk.  Clunk has been at the Arapahoe track and training in the Easyboot Race shoe since August 8^th.  After our meeting on Saturday August 20^th and looking at our hoof protection options, I decided that it would be in the best interest of the horse, jockey and other horses and riders to scratch Clunk from the race.  Clunk was training and performing in the Easyboot Race shoe for over 40 days and I just didn’t think it was safe or smart to change equipment the day before the race.  Yes, we could have come home with some money if Clunk ran in the August 21^st event but I thought the safety of horses and riders was more important.

I’ve taken some time to summarize the products shown at the meeting (with photos) and the subsequent reactions from the stewards.

The Easyboot Race plate next to and aluminum racing plate.  The stewards said there was no difference between the products and the Easyboot Race plate did not violate the rules.  Our Easyboot Race shoe could be glued and nailed in this configuration. 

The Easyboot Race plate with sole intact next to an aluminum racing plate with pad.  The stewards said there was no difference between the products and the Easyboot Race plate with sole plate did not violate the rules.  Our Easyboot Race shoe could be glued and nailed in this configuration.
 

The Easyboot Race plate with sole intact and including the cuff system next to an aluminum racing plate with clips.  The stewards said there was no difference between the products and the Easyboot Race with sole intact and including the cuff system was no different than an aluminum racing plate with clips.  Therefore it would not violate the rules.  Our Easyboot Race shoe could be glued and nailed in this configuration.  The cuff system allows for a very large gluing surface and a very secure bond. 

 

The Easyboot Race shoe next to an aluminum racing plate.  The stewards all could not find a portion of the Easyboot Race shoe that violated the rules.  Our Easyboot Race shoe could be glued and nailed in this configuration.  The cuff system allows for a very large gluing surface and a very secure bond.

Another perspective of the Easyboot Race.  The heel can easily be trimmed from the rear of the shoe if needed.
 

Despite the disappointing outcome of the Saturday August 20th meeting, I’m looking forward to the September 13^th commission meeting.  We have indicated that we would like to be part part of the meeting as we would like to do everything possible to hit the ground running for the 2012 Arapahoe race season.

I fully believe we will be racing at Arapahoe Park in the Easyboot Race in 2012.  We will keep you posted on our progress.

Racetrack Intrigue 
I've always been a bit intrigued by the racetrack industry and the mystique that surrounds the horses, trainers, owners and conditioning process.  The stories of horses like Man O'War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Big Brown fueled my interest and the draw to someday own a racehorse. 

Shoe or Boot?
EasyCare hoof boots have been used in just about every equine sport, but have yet to make an impact in flat track racing.  Until recently, hoof boots have been much too heavy and bulky to allow a race horse to be competitive.  When the Easyboot Glue-On was developed, it started my curiosity about campaigning an Arabian track horse in a modified version of the Easyboot Glue-On shoe.

Why Bother?
Life on the race track presents challenges to the equine hoof.  Many track horses have challenges with brittle walls, tender feet, lack of support, and contracted heels from continuous shoeing.  Track horses that rip off a shoe and lose hoof wall also have a difficult time holding shoes and as a result miss conditioning and races.  Track horses are subjected to pounding workouts and as a result are prone to injury.  It is for these reasons I believe the sport could benefit from a more supportive shoe.

Imagine: The Easyboot Race

1. The Easyboot Race will allow the hoof to expand and contract as nature intended.
2. The Easyboot Race will provide support and comfort for quarter cracks. 
3. The Easyboot Race will allow farriers and trainers another tool for problem feet that will not hold nails.
4. The Easyboot Race will allow farriers and trainers an option that flexes and absorbs concussion to extend the horse's health and longevity. 
5. The Easyboot Race can be trimmed and modified to suit a specific horse, track or surface.
6. The Easyboot Race will be less likely to hurt horses, jockeys or spectators if they do come off. 
7. The Easyboot Race will allow trainers to train the horses harder and on less than perfect surface conditions. 
8. The Easyboot Race will bring the track an affordable glue-on solution. 

I probably heard my college football coach utter the phrase "speed kills" a hundred times.  Size, strength and athletic ability nearly always fail when confronted with speed.  We often entered a game as the bigger and strong team, but left the field beaten badly by a team with more speed.

The term "speed kills" is very relevant to the horse, shoes and the hoof boot world.  Getting shoes and hoof boots to work for a leisurely trail ride at a walk is comparatively easy.  As speed is added, shoes and hoof boots are put under a great deal of stress and torque.  The race track is the ultimate equine speed sport and the next arena for Easycare product testing.  Participation in the race track industry will make our products lighter and sleeker, allowing us to perfect the product line for all equine disciplines. 

I've tried unsuccessfully to convince race track trainers and race track owners to use hoof boots for flat track training.  I wasn't convinced they were right. I thought a custom designed racing shoe/boot would give horses that run at speed a comfort advantage and extended longevity.  Rather than continue to wonder, I decided to purchase a racetrack Arabian.  My plan was to pull the aluminum racing plates, improve the trim on his feet, condition him a bit in the Colorado hills and then take him back and race him in the new Easyboot Race shoes. 

The Easyboot Glove Wide and Easyboot Glue-On Wide are on the way. The first shipment has limited quantities and won't last long. Call EasyCare at 800-447-8836 and place your orders now to secure wide hoof boots from this first shipment.


We anticipate the Wide Easyboot Glue-Ons in #0W, #0.5W, #1W, #1.5W, #2W, #2.5W and #3W to arrive and be available August 1st. 

We anticipate the Wide Easyboot Gloves in #0W, #0.5W, #1W, #1.5W, #2W, #2.5W and #3W to arrive and be available August 8th. 

EasyCare continues to get requests for a padding system that can be incorporated into the Easyboot Glove.  As of now we don't make a pad system that we recommend to be used in the Easyboot Glove. 


I continue to stand by my guns and not recommend the EasyCare Comfort Pad System for Easyboot Gloves.  Gloves were designed to have a low profile and only have a wall height of 35mm in the area of the quarters.  This 35mm is the only wall contact with the hoof and is needed to keep the boot in place.  Adding a 12mm or 6mm comfort pad inside a Glove elevates the hoof inside the boot and lessens the amount of contact the boot shell has with the hoof.  The Easyboot Glove does not stay on the hoof as well when a comfort pad is used.

What to do, what to do?  What is the solution for people who would like give their horse extra cushioning and still use the Easyboot Glove?

After trying many pad solutions, Equi-Pak Soft may just be the answer.  I've been using Vettec Equi-Pak Soft inside the Gloves very successfully for tough mountain riding and rides where I know I will spend several miles on hard packed roads.  Equi-Pak Soft provides a quick and soft pour-in pad which sets up in roughly 45 seconds.  The perfect cushioning characteristics of the Equi-Pak Soft are injected into the sole of the Glove after the Glove is installed on the hoof.  The holes in the boot sole are sealed by the material.

I just discovered something very interesting about the founder and inventor of the Easyboot.  Dr Glass spent his working hours at the United States Atomic Energy Commission.  His first patent for a High Current Coaxial Photomultiplier Tube was assigned to the United States of America. 



A family horse took Neel's attention away form atoms, photomultiplier tubes and top secret clearances to hoof care on a navicular horse.  The change took Dr. Glass from assigning patents to the United States of America to inventing the first production hoof boot.  Neel quickly formed a corporation and went on to assign his first horse boot patent to Les-Kare.  Les- Kare was named after his daughters Leslie and Karen. 

Summer is here in the northern hemisphere and EasyCare is working hard toward a better hoof boot line up in 2012. 


A recent article in Forbes Magazine titled "Steve Jobs: Get Rid Of The Crappy Stuff" confirms EasyCare's 2012 strategy to remove some of our less popular boot models.  The article is based on a phone conversation between Steve Jobs of Apple and Mark Parker of Nike. 

“Do you have any advice?”  Parker asked Jobs.  “Well, just one thing,” said Jobs. “Nike makes some of the best products in the world.  Products that you lust after.  But you also make a lot of crap.  Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff.”  Parker said Jobs paused and Parker filled the quiet with a chuckle.  But Jobs didn’t laugh.  He was serious. “He was absolutely right,” said Parker.  “We had to edit.”

Parker used the word ‘edit’ not in a design sense but in the context of making business decisions.  Editing also leads to great product designs and effective communications. According to Steve Jobs, “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on.  But that’s not what it means at all.  It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.  I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done.  Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.”

The article rings home for EasyCare at a time when we believe our line has started to overlap and get a bit confusing.  Expect some reductions to our hoof boot offering and some additions/expansions to lines that we believe are our best.  Wide designs are coming soon and will be available in more than just the Easyboot Glove.  The Easyboot Trail has been a huge success and will improved and expanded in 2012.

Along with the product changes we will be more focused on different equestrian segments and hone our marketing. 

Thank you for the help, comments and design ideas.  Have a incredible summer. 

Neel Glass embraced change But by nature, some people like change and some don't.  I believe the people that are optimistic about life embrace change.  They believe that change will bring something better.  For those that live in the "life will get worse" world, change is hard because the expectation is things will get worse. 

In the world of hoof boots it's all about change.  Horse boots are a change from traditional hoof protection methods and they are rapidly being embraced for lost shoe protection, laminitic and founder rehab, total hoof protection and many types of medicinal uses.  Without change, I wouldn't be here to write this and your horse wouldn't have an option. 


The Easyboot Trail was launched by EasyCare in April 2011.  The Trail is a change of direction for EasyCare and a renewed focus on trail and pleasure riders.  Many of our past hoof boot designs have been targeted to the competitive long distance sports of endurance and competitive trail.  Although we will continue in that market segment, you will notice more attention given to non-competitive trail riders who are looking for an easy-to-apply boot at a competitive price point. 

We are hard at work in several areas and 2012, we will bring more change.  Some of our less popular hoof boot models will be phased out and our more popular boots will be improved and enhanced.  The Easyboot Epic will be one focus area of 2012.  The Epic has been one of our most successful hoof boots in our line-up and it's time for the boot to go to the next level.  Buckle changes, tread changes and gaiter pattern changes are a few of the many upgrades that will be introduced sometime in 2012. 

What change would you like EasyCare to focus on in the future? 

The Easyboot and Easyboot Epic will be getting a face-lift in 2012.  EasyCare's two best-selling hoof boots will get even better soon.

The goal of the face-lift will to pull several features of the Easyboot Glove into both the Easyboot and Easyboot designs.  Both will be more streamlined and closer fitting.  The weights will be trimmed and treads will be improved. 

We are testing some of the new features now and hope to release the new designs before the summer of 2012.

One of the new buckle designs that is testing well has a lower profile buckle and rounded cable adjustments.


We think you are going to like the changes.  We will keep you posted.

Take a look at the photos below and let us know what you think has happened to this horse and his once beautiful barefeet. 


Here is a bit of background on the horse.

1.  The horse is an Arabian/Draft cross.  It is approximately seven years old.
2.  The horse lived on a small island off the coast of Maine (east coast USA).
3.  The horse was purchased and was shipped from Maine to Arizona. 
4.  The horse had beautiful bare feet and has never been shod.
5.  Upon arrival in southern Arizona, the horse had a clear liquid coming from the coronet bands on each hoof. The liquid did not continue but the new hoof growth is odd and flaky. 
7.  The flaky material on the hoof wall can be peeled away. When peeled off, it bleeds by the hairline.
8.  The horse has been on a dry turn-out for several months with bermuda hay.
9.  Others horses are at the same property, with same feed and same trimmer. Other horses have beautiful feet. 


What are your thoughts?  What do you believe is going on with this horse and what steps can the owner take to get the horse and barefeet back in good condition?  We would love your feedback. 

Like it or not, humans changed the lives of horses when we domesticated them and fenced them in.  As the fences and enclosures get smaller, horses have a tougher time and live further from the ideal life nature intended for them. They are intended to work for forage and nibble all day as they search for food.  Horses are intended to live with others, socialize and covering long distances for food and water.


I recently visited a horse boarding facility in Switzerland that uses technology to combat some of the challenges horses have with domestication.  The facility addresses several challenges that face most domesticated horses.

1.  Lack of movement.
2.  Adjusting nutrition and calories for horses of different breeds, weights and activity levels.
3.  Boredom and the loss of a herd structure.
4.  Spreading meals thought the day rather than two big meals.
5.  Poor footing and lack of hoof function.

The boarding facility was 15 minutes outside Zurich, Switzerland, and was situated on roughly four acres of land.  The 20 horses were housed on roughly two acres.  All 20 horses lived together as a herd.  All horses were barefoot.  Most all used hoof boots for riding.

The facility revolved around the Schauer Feeding and access control system and is designed to combat many of the challenges mentioned above.  Each horse is fitted with a microchip collar that monitors movement and gives the horse access to grain, supplements or forage based on activity level, weight or breed. 

The video below shows a horse entering the grain area after access was granted with the microchip collar.  Because the horse is a heavier breed and in good weight he was not administered grain.  The horse was encouraged to depart after grain was not administered.  The heavy horses are then required to walk around the barn to rejoin the herd. 


The system is completely controlled by computer.  Not only can you adjust how many times each horse is given grain, but you can adjust the quantity of each feeding.  Horses that have had their share or don't need grain are allowed into the shoot but no grain is administered.  They then have to walk around the barn to try again or rejoin the herd.

Hoof boots sold cheap on eBay. 

Do you own a hoof boot that doesn't fit your current horse?  Do you have a hoof boot that is ready to be retired?  Don't throw it out!  Send it in and get an EasyCare hoof boot at half price.

EasyCare has a Hoof Boot Upgrade Program that allows hoof boot users to send in non-EasyCare hoof boots in exchange for an EasyCare hoof boot model.  The program has been successful because it allows the consumer to send in a boot that may not fit their horse correctly or isn't working on their specific horse.  Worn out or used boots can also be sent in for exchange on a half price purchase of an EasyCare branded hoof boot.  It's a great opportunity to try the lightweight and agile Easyboot Glove.  The exchanged boots are then listed on ebay at a cheap price and sold as a complete lot. 

The current eBay selection has the following boots.

2 Delta Hoof Boots
10 Swiss Horse Boots
2 Marquis Hoof Boots
5 Davis Barrier Horse Boots
11 Renegade Hoof Boots
47 Cavallo Simple Boots


All boots are in various sizes and different conditions.  Some are slightly used and others more used. 

This is a great opportunity for a horse rescue or barefoot trimming school.  Shipping weight is roughly 80 lbs.  Winning bidder pays shipping via ground transport.

Over the years I've found five different criteria that really test hoof boots and can cause them to fail. 

1. Riding at high speed adds to hoof boot failure. 
2. Riding steep hills adds to hoof boot failure.
3. Riding in water and mud adds to hoof boot failure.
4. Too large a size/improper sizing adds to hoof boot failure.
5. Rear hoof boots are much more prone to failure.

Any of the above can be combined to really put hoof boots to the test.  For example, cross a muddy creek and then gallop up a steep hill.  Or fit a horse with a boot that too big and ride through mud bogs.  Or combine all five.  Start with rear hoof boots that are a size too large, get the boot and hoof nice and slippery in water or a mud bog and then aggressively gallop steep hills at speed.


I've personally been testing a new hoof boot concept by exposing it to the five things that I believe are hardest on hoof boots.  My horse Cyclone wears a size #0 Glove on his rear feet.  I've been fitting him in a size #2 in this new hoof boot concept and heading for the hills.  Not just walking the hills but attacking them with speed and power.  In addition I've been adding water and mud to the boots before the hill work and flat gallops to really put the boots in the most difficult situations. 



I'm super excited about the results.  Not one failure yet.  I've not had the new design come off even with me putting them in every situation that I know makes hoof boots fail.  Good things are in the works at EasyCare!

We have built EasyCare on a foundation of partnerships, friendships and relationships developed with our national and international distributors.  Over the past 40 years we have developed partnerships that concentrate on hoof boots and natural hoof care. These types of alliances are the most beneficial for everyone involved.  Everyone wins when we partner with people who are passionate about hoof care and horses.  The majority of our international partners are small companies that eat, sleep and dream about hoof boots.  They believe in EasyCare products and they have built successful and sustainable businesses around them.

Brian Mueller and I recently embarked on a European tour to visit with several of our allies.  The visit was to say thank you for the friendship and thank you for the business.  As well as discussing new developments in hoof boot technology, we also explored the finer details of a unique collaborative venture we will be unveiling at the end of April.  Rather than lunching a new product through the traditional social media channels, our international partners will work in concert with us to cover their respective markets at the same time as we unveil the new product in the USA.  

The tour was a great deal of fun and gave us time to better understand the characteristics of different market segments with each of our respective partners.  With several other travel obligations we had limited time and were only able to see just a few of our partners.  We are working on a second trip and will spend time with our remaining international partners before summer.  

Below are some quick snapshots and highlights from the tour.

Bernd and Claudia Jung of Hufshop are a perfect example of a true partner.  Hufshop continues to set the standard for hoof boot training and website development.  Bernd is also doing some cleaver teaching through HufCheck.  Bernd and Claudia, thank you for all that you do.

Brian Mueller, Bernd Jung, Claudia Jung and Garrett Ford enjoy some good German Beer and Pizza.

Sibylle Krieg has been in the hoof boot business for over ten years and has ridden barefoot horses in hoof boots for twenty years.  Sibylle has built a very successful business around her passion for horses and hoof boots.  HoofGroove has been a long time EasyCare partner and continues to promote the barefoot horse and hoof boots through a wonderful website and in-person visits.   Look for exciting new developments in Switzerland through HoofGroove in 2011.

Brian Mueller, Sibylle Krieg and Garrett Ford visit a high tech barefoot barn outside Zurich, Switzerland.

Lucy and David Nicholas of Trelawne Equine have been with EasyCare for a bit over 18 months and have taken over distribution in the United Kingdom from Battle Hayward and Bower (BHB).  BHB did an incredible job for EasyCare in the past but we felt that a smaller more concentrated approach in the UK would be better for customers and horses.  Lucy and Charlie have made great strides in the past 18 months and are starting 2011 with a bang.  Watch for new product announcements in the UK through Trelawne.

David, Garrett, Charlie and Lucy take a break after setting up the booth at the BETA tradeshow.

France has always been a country that we felt we needed the right partner.  Ets Weal has filled the gap we had in France and has really grown.  Brian and I finally had a chance to meet Isabelle Bathias on our recent trip and were both super impressed.  Isabelle is an accomplished horse woman who truly believes in hoof boots and the barefoot horse. 

Brian Mueller, Isabelle Bathias and Garrett Ford talk hoof boots over dinner.

2010 was a banner year for EasyCare hoof boots in endurance racing.  Endurance rides are races over wilderness trails of 50 to 255 miles.  The horse and rider team compete on varied and often challenging terrain in distances of up to 100 miles per day.  The sport is arguably one of the toughest trials of an equine athlete.  To win, the rider must not only strategically manage their equine, but must also maintain a fast average pace of more than ten miles per hour.


Just a few of the endurance highlights in EasyCare hoof boots during 2010.  

1.  Over 41,191 endurance miles were completed in Easyboots in 2010 alone.  This does not include conditioning miles.

2.  Tevis Cup.  35 Horses started the 100 Mile Tevis Cup with Easyboots.  Two horses wearing Easyboots finished the event in the top ten, six horses wearing Easyboots finished in the top twenty.  The Tevis Cup is one of the toughest 100 mile endurance event in the world. 

3.  The Best Condition (Haggin Cup) horse at the 2010 Tevis Cup used Easyboots for the entire event.

4.  Christoph Schork (the winningest endurance rider in the history of the sport) has won over 100 races in the 2009 and 2010 seasons combined. 

5.  Dave Rabe won the 2010 AERC National Mileage Championship in Easyboots.  He and his horse completed 2,175 miles in Easyboots.

6.  6 of the 10 horse and rider teams listed in the AERC National Mileage Championship competed in Easyboots.

Yeah, so what?  Endurance success has been important for EasyCare but how do these highlights translate to horse owners that have no need or desire to cover 50 or 100 miles in a day?  We believe that if a horse can complete a 50 or 100 mile event in hoof boots, that hoof boots will excel in for trail and pleasure riders.  These distance events have helped fine tune our protective horse boots and that we build a better boot because of that experience.

Although EasyCare will continue to test boots in endurance events, we are working on several products that are geared specifically to the pleasure and trail rider.  These products will focus on ease of use, ease of application and removal, aggressive price points and a rugged design.  They won't be intended for 100 miles of use in one day but we know most of our users are happy doing weekend trail rides at a leisurely pace. 

What are you looking for?  How do you ride?  Would you be interested in a very easy to fit and remove hoof boot with an aggressive price point?

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