2016 – The Year of New EasyCare Hoof Protection Products and The Monkey!

2016 is here and EasyCare is working on our longest list of new product launches in our 46 years in business.  Many are brand new concepts that we believe will improve the lives of horses and make the jobs of hoof care professionals more proficient. I’ll start announcing the new products in our monthly newsletter blogs and will give all our customers and dealers a heads-up on whats coming. I hope to share a new product for each month of 2016. Yes, we have been busy.

The Easyboot Glue-On Flip Flop will be available in sizes #1, #1.5, #2 and #2.5 before the end of January 2016.  The Flip Flop was one of those hunches that I thought would work but you never know until you try. In essence, the idea amounts to a flip-flop design with a conventional upper that extends backward only roughly to the widest point of the hoof. The widest point of the hoof has the least amount of movement in both the vertical and horizontal planes. Because of this lack of movement, the bonds between the shoe and the hoof hold much tighter and are much less likely to fail than at the heel. As a result, it is surprisingly more durable than shoes bonded along the entire sides of the hoof. The absence of an upper in the rear half of the shoe ensures that the heel and the entire back portion of the shoe is not connected to the hoof. The heel is afforded greater movement in all directions, which, in addition to improving the durability of the bond between the upper and the front portion of the hoof, also allows more movement of the hoof, which in the long run results in a healthier hoof.

I’ve glued a large number of hoof protection devices on horses feet in the last ten years and this product is not only the easiest to apply, but stays on the better than any glue-on product I’ve ever used. The product works better than expected, has won several 50-mile distance races.

An early slow motion video of a Flip Flop in action. Check out how the sole flexes at the mid-point. 

One of the first prototypes on Fury.

Solar view. Same sole as the Easyboot Glove and will accept the EasyCare Therapy Click System.

The base flexes and pivots.

The final molds have an extended length sole. This allows the sole to be cut to length.

So what does the Easyboot Flip Flip do better than others and why does it have a place in the equine market?

1. It’s very easy to apply and it stays on very well.
2. Aside from abrasion, the back of the foot is protected but still functions as a bare hoof.  It allows the hoof to function better than full shell products.
3. Debris goes in and comes out easily. In testing we have seen no issues with debris getting in and packing in the toe area. For those with concerns, it’s easy to add a pour in packing in the toe area.

It works very well with the EasyCare Therapy Click System. The perfect combination for a pregnant mare having hoof problems while carrying a foal to term.

We are rushing to get four sizes done before the end of the month. I hope you will give them a try. I plan to share another new product next month that I believe will change hoof boot designs going forward.