Hoof Boot News

Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.  ~ Joseph Addison

Alyxx and Toaster

When my little girl calls me "Daddy" it captures my heart and soul.  It's hard to explain but the connection between a father and his daughter is a special one to say the least. My mother wanted me to have a daughter because she believed it would soften me and increase my compassion.  Alyxx has done that in a big way and melts me with "Daddy".

So when Alyxx started to ask for her own four legged companion I knew I had to find a very special one.  As a father I've always wanted to pass on the gift of horses and the life lessons these special animals give us the opportunity to experience.  I put out the usual feelers but didn't find exactly what I was looking for.  I turned down many horses and ponies because I just didn't have the right gut feel.  I wanted that one horse or pony that would create a bond that Alyxx would never forget.

With some time and looking I found a special pony named "Toaster" located in southern California.  Toaster was owned by a great family and had given his last young girl four years of memories.  At 12 hands he would be easy for Alyxx to handle and had all kinds of experience that would help Alyxx learn quickly, safely and with confidence. 

Alyxx gets her first look at Toaster after his long trip to Colorado.  One happy little girl!

They hit it off quick and Alyxx thinks about Toaster every waking hour.  Halters are on and off several times each day, Alyxx picks feet between trips to the barn with treats.  Blankets on at night and off in the morning.  Alyxx is learning snaps, straps, clips and buckles. 

Helping Alyxx with Toaster's halter.  Memories I will never forget. 

Over the years, I've balked at customer requests for smaller Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Glue-Ons as the mold costs will take a long time to recover due to the small number of sales.  But when the request comes from your 5 year old daughter it somehow strikes a different cord.  "Dad, I want Toaster to have the Easyboot Glove boots that you use on Fury. Can you make them for me?"

The day before Toaster arrived Alyxx had her nails done in her favorite color purple, Toaster arrived with a purple halter.  Of course Alyxx is wondering why I can't make her purple Easyboots.  Are purple pony sized hoof boots in EasyCare's future? 

Purple nails to that match Toaster's halter.  "Why can't he have purple Easyboots dad?"

Toaster has been part of the family for less than a week and the memories and learning experiences have already been burned deep into the places they never leave.  I hope that Toaster will be the first of many for Alyxx and she will have the opportunity to pass on the gift to her children some day. 

Days and photos we will never forget.

 

Beautiful Biltmore!  An event I will return to.

I had the opportunity to ride the Biltmore Challenge Endurace Ride over the May 5th weekend and what a beautiful experience it was.  I've never done an FEI event or an event east of the Mississippi, but an invitation from Heather and Jeremy Reynolds to take a young horse through his first FEI 50 mile event was all it took.  At first I thought of all the life and work excuses that would prevent me from going but decided to get out of my box and do an east coast event and an FEI event.

My flights were crazy and I ended up arriving into Asheville, NC at 3:30a.m.  Not much time for sleep because Jeremy Reynolds are I were planning on a run the next morning.  The run was great on my mountain lungs but the heat and humidity was very apparent.  Jeremy and I went straight from running to helping several riders apply Easyboot Glue-Ons.  I finally had the opportunity to meet Farzad Faryadi and his son Steven.  Farzad and I have been e-mail and Facebook buddies for several years and Farzad has done very well in Easyboots.  11 year-old Steven was getting ready for his first 100 mile event. 

The Reynolds had me paired with a very nice horse named Bound For Honor.  Honor is a tall and well put together grey off the track and has a bit of endurance experience.  Heather and Jeremy have many very nice horses but I was especially pleased with my mount.  Strong, forward but very manageable.  Beautiful trails are much more fun when doing it on a beautiful horse, I knew I was going to have fun.

Barbara Hershberger, Garrett Ford, Jeremy Reynolds, Heather Reynolds and Rachel Shackleford.  All riding Reynold horses.

Barbara Hershberger and I were going to ride together.  Barbara was on a very nice Kenlyn Arabian horse bred by Linda Fisher of Colorado and also owned by the Reynolds.  Barbara and I started toward the back of the nearly 85 entries in the 50 mile event. 

Barbara Hershberger on Kenlyn Baily, I'm on Bound For Honor.

We moved down the trail at an easy clip with a goal to get these two young horses their first FEI 50 mile event.  All was great until about 9 miles into the first loop when a loose horse came ripping down the pavement toward us. The photo sequence below caught by Genie Stewart Spears caught the whole thing.

Loose horse!  Watch out, loose horse!

I felt for the horse and wondered if the rider was OK.  Loose horses bring visions of terrible things and I cringed as the horse galloped out of site.  As we rounded the next bend the loose horse was on his way back toward us. 

Look at me.  I know exactly what is going through my head.  "Hey I can catch that horse".

I quickly jumped off Honor in an attempt to catch the horse.  He was getting close just as Honor pulled back and pulled the reigns out of my hands.  The only thing worse than a loose horse is two loose horses.  Some words that can't be repeated came out of my mouth and I was in full chase mode.  This fine young horse of the Reynolds was now loose and I was the ding dong responsible for his well being.  Crap!

Long run back to camp!  Thanks for catching the sequence Genie.

Two hours later Honor and I were reunited at base camp.  Honor looked perfect, no cuts, no grass stains from falls, tack was in place except for his reigns were missing, and his Easyboots were all perfect after his 9 mile gallop back to camp.  New set of reigns and off we went to start the ride all over again two hours later.

Honor doing was he does best, clicking down the trail.

I was very thankful that Honor was sound, safe and healthy.  The miles of beautiful trail on a beautiful horse gave me a chance to think and really take it in.  Honor and I, no other horses and riders and miles of incredible trail. The miles gave me a chance to think about the blessing we have to have horses in our lives.  They gave me a chance to think of Steven Faryadi (the 11 year-old boy that was riding his first 100 mile event) and the lessons Steven would learn during his first 100 mile event that would shape the rest of his life.  It made me think of my five year-old daughter at home and how I long to compete side by side with her in the future.  As the miles passed and the brain continued to wonder I was taken by the beauty of the trails and the incredible organization of the event.  Beautiful Biltmore continued to stick in my head and I will make sure I return. 

Trees and vines tricked the mind and made every mile memorable

Honor and I clicked off the miles and he finished looking perfect.  He picked up 18 extra miles of fitness and I learned some valuable lessons.  After Honor was vetted, washed and fed, I headed down to help crew for Jeremy, Heather and Rachel.  Lynn and Mark Ashby were performing perfect crew duties for all five horses but I knew they could use some help.  Heather and Rachel were cruising through the 75 and Jeremy was up front competing for a win in the FEI 100.

Jeremy went out on the last loop with two other horses and Stirgis looked great.  The 100 was shaping up for an exciting finish.  Two riders emerged from the trail and excelerated toward the finish.  Jeremy and Stirgis were in full gear racing a 16 hand anglo arab.  They didn't pull it off but they gave it 100%. 

Jeremy Reynolds and Eone Williams race to the finish.  Both horses were in hoof boots!

The day ended with Jeremy and Stirgis showing well for Best Condition.  Stirgis was indeed awarded BC the following morning.  Reynolds Racing had five horses finish the event in Easyboots.

Beautiful Biltmore is a race to put on your list.  Incredible trails, top notch organization and fun competitors. Put this one on your list to do, I'll see you there. 

 

 

On July 31, 1790 Samuel Hopkins was issued the first patent for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer. The patent was signed by President George Washington. Hopkins was born in Vermont, but was living in Philadelphia, PA when the patent was granted.

The first patent, as well as the more than 6 million patents issued since then, can be seen on the Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website at www.uspto.gov. The original document is in the collections of the Chicago Historical Society.

Hoof boots and hoof protection have been a popular subject with inventors from the United States and around the world since the early 1800's.  In these early years horses were used for transportion, farm work and hauling heavy loads.  People depended on their horses and protecting their horses feet was a necesity.  The US Patent Office database is clouded with artwork and ideas from these early years.  Clever strap on horse boots and shoes of all different types are found by the hundreds.  These early inventors had some ingenious ideas for hoof protection and many of the sketches found in the database still have merit today.

An example of  an 1869 horse shoe, hoof boot patent by Henry Headrich

I have a fascination with these inventors and the hoof boot designs that were developed hundreds of years ago.  I find it interesting to think back to the 1800's and think about their lives, the materials that were available to create these devices and the stacks of prototypes that littered their workbenches.  I have spent many a late night printing these original patent documents and often look through these files to see what has been done in the past.  Over the past several months I've been working on recreating many of my favorite boot and shoe designs for this printed collection. Many of these replicas work quite well and with some material changes may end up as a production product.

 

An 1800 hoof protection device held in place with a heel bulb strap.  Envision some small tweaks and material changes to this design.

 

Another design from the 1800's.  This one reminds me of a fine women's shoe. Another that could work today with some small adjustments. 

The early design has a cool pastern strap and heel retention cup.

 

Many of the early designs had good intentions but would be barbaric if put to use.  This would stay in place but pummel the hoof in the process. 

 

 

 

Fast forward to the early 1970's and you start to see some of Dr Neel Glass' first hoof boot prototypes found in the US Patent records.  Neel's designs were pretty unique and marked the real first production hoof boot.  Neel's original Easyboot design is still in production 40 years later and is the backbone of EasyCare.

Neel's first glue-on hoof boot drawings are shown above.  Glass used glue and screws to hold the boot in place.  EasyCare's current glue-on hoof boot is very similar to Neel's 1970 design.  Screws wouldn't fly today, adhesives now accomplich the job.

The examples above are just a couple of the hundreds of hoof boot and horse shoe patents that can be found in the US Patent database.  When you take the time to look at the past designs the possibilities for improving what we have today get fun and interesting.  EasyCare may need to do a fun Throwback Collection and use the original inventor's names "Easyboot Headrich"  In the least we will recreate some of these designs for our EasyCare hoof boot museum. 

Garrett Ford

 

It was another great weekend for hoof boots. Easyboots were used by several of the horse and rider teams at the USA Endurance Team Time Trial for the 2012 World Endurance Championship.  Although many Easybooted horse and rider teams didn't have the day they had hoped for, the first, fourth and seventh place horse and rider teams finished wearing Easyboots.  The Best Condition prize was also awarded to a horse that completed the course in Easyboots.   

Jeremy Reynolds and Kutt take home first place and best condition in Easyboots.  Photo by Merri Melde.

Heather Reynolds and Riverwatch finish in fourth place.  Photo by Merri Melde.

Amy Atkins and Juniper finish in seventh place.  Photo by Merri Melde.

In addition to the Easybooted horses, several other of the USA competitors were using Renegade Glue-On hoof boots. The second place horse finished in Renegade glue-on hoof boots.  At the end of the day, Easyboot horses and Renegade horses accounted for nearly half of the USA riders looking for a spot on the team heading to England.  The event shows that hoof boots are here to stay and are being used at the top levels of equine sports.

One of my favorite moments of the day was watching Jeremy Reynolds take time away from his horse during one of 30-minute vet stops towards the end of the race.  Jeremy put his race aside and helped a fellow competitor with a lost shoe.  He tacked the shoe on with minutes to spare and then quickly jumped on his horse as he departed on his way to his eventual first place finish.

Jeremy Reynolds applies a shoe to a fellow competitor's horse during a short vet stop.  Jeremy is still in his helmet!

EasyCare is looking forward to the possibility for riders on the USA Endurance team to compete in Easyboots.  We have several new tread patterns for them to choose from that will help them stick to the course.  In addition, EasyCare's new EasyShoe may be the perfect option for the English countryside.

 

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.

 

What do you get when you cross the hoof boot that was used to win the 2011 100 mile Tevis Cup with the polyurethane horse shoe that was used to win the 2011 136th running of the Preakness? 

A new tool for farriers and hoofcare professionals.  The new glue-on urethane shoe is a collaboration between EasyCare and No-Anvil.  The combined efforts have produced a new urethane hoof protection device that blur the lines between boots and shoes.  The urethane hybrid device absorbs concussion, is held securely in place for a shoeing cycle without nails, is lighter weight than most all nail on shoes and allows the hoof to expand and contract as nature intended. 


Stay tuned for more updates and news on the collaboration. 

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.