The International Hoof-Care Summit is one of our favorite events of the year. The 2018 IHCS continued the tradition and helped EasyCare introduce two new products for 2018. The Easyboot Stratus and the EasyShoe Flex.
EasyCare and PolyFlex Horseshoes partner in a booth and we try and focus on activities that give hoof care professionals the ability to see product demonstrations in person or participate in person. In 2018 we decided to hold a contest that would focus on the application of the new EasyShoe Flex.
Aussie Christopher Beggs giving it a go.
It’s just another shoe so why is a contest needed? The EasyShoe Flex is different. The shoe is flexible, has a spring steel core, and can be shaped like a traditional shoe. The contest was designed to draw attention to what makes the shoe different. We feel these differences will benefit horses.
1. Spring steel core: The spring steel core provides yielding stability. The core will deflect in the toe, quarters and heels. Heels can independently flex up and down. Spring steel returns to shape and therefore can’t be shaped by hammer and anvil. Shaping is done by removing material with a grinder.
Contest winner Robbie Schuler removes material with a belt sander.
2. Secure clinching: The spring steel core allows nails to be set and clinched tight. Many urethane shoes without a steel core have a tendency to have clinches loosen with time.
Spring steel core holds nails tightly and allows for a solid clinch.
3. Urethane: The urethane ground surface allows for traction and reduced concussion on hard ground.
Urethane provides traction and concussion reduction. Clear urethane allows the installer to see the while line before driving nails.
4. Wide web design: The wide web design comes in an open heel and heart bar design. Both versions come in toe or quarter clip models.
Open heel, heart bar, toe clip and quarter clips.
5. Sole-packing versatility: The wide web design holds packing extremely well without mesh.
The 2018 contest was a huge success. We ended giving four prizes as we had two competitors very close for third. Rather than disappoint, we added another $200 to the payout.
Robbie Schuler takes first and $500.00
Doug Workman takes 2nd and $300.00. Doug later donated his winnings to the Disabled Farrier Fund!
Luke Farmer takes 3rd and $200.
Ollie Middlefield takes 3rd and $200. Ollie is 15 years old. All the contestants were very supportive of Ollie and blown away by his talent. Watch for this young man!
Great week! Great people! Lots of folks and products that help horses do what they do best.
Garrett Ford
President
I have been President 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.
