Friday 26 February 2010

Hoof Boots that Pop Off!

Especially when you are venturing into the world of booting for the first time, there is a fairly inevitable moment that boot users dread where there time has come to lose a boot. Even the most seasoned users can loose one and no matter how well you plan ahead it is still very inconvenient!


The good news is, unlike metal horse shoes that are nailed in to the hoof wall, you don't have to worry about the nails ripping out chunks of horn but if you don't notice and your horses hooves aren't conditioned to the terrain, your horse could become sore.

The vast majority of boot failures come from operator error. If a boot does come off, try and work out why it happened. With a boot such as the Old Mac G2, the only real reasons for it to come off it either incorrect fit/size or a breakage. The internal strap works like a wrist watch strap, preventing the boot from being able to be pulled over the hoof. The lighterweight, slimmer fitting boots such as the Easyboot Glove hoof boot have the potential for loss if the fit is not as good as it should be. Fitted correctly on the right size and shape foot, the glove is unbeatable through mud or over any type of terrain, but the biggest problem we have seen with the Glove is that people seem to size them to big. It is important to remember that it is supposed to "fit like a glove" and that any gaps can become a problem.


The boot should fit snuggly to the hoof wall, with the 'V' slightly parted. A power strap can be used to improve the fit by closing the V.

The benefits of natural hoof care are worth the learning curve of loosing an occasional hoof boot. Remember it is best to always carry a spare if you are riding a long way from home and to check your protective hoof boots like you would any piece of equipment that you put on your horse.

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Tips for Barefoot endurance horse owners


Jen Clingly of Australia emplains "Hoof boots allow you the opportunity to bridge the gap between conventional horseshoes and high performance barefootedness. If a horse's hooves happen to wear down too much with work, boots are designed to protect the hooves from excessive wear, concussion, and bruising. Old Mac's hoof boots made all of this a reality. They are a valuable addition to my tack room, and I take them to every ride like my lucky pair of undies!"

Jen has several success tips to share:
  • Stay tough no matter the opposition to going barefoot.
  • The role model of a barefoot endurance horse is the wild horse.
  • It takes time in training and conditioning a horse barefoot.
  • Set realistic goals and be flexible.
  • Get to know your horse.
  • Be ever so meticulous with their feet.
  • Use boots and carry them always.
  • Keep your feed simple and use natural horse care.
  • Keep it wild and not too domesticated.
  • Make sure to warm up and warm down.
  • Exposure to hill work for strength.
  • Exposure to rock work to lessen horse hoof problems.
  • Make sure to check hooves often along your training rides.
  • Utilize a confident leader until the horse is totally confident.
  • Use massages and therapy to insure well being for your athletes.
  • Cross training makes for a well rounded horse.

Jen Clingly lives in Golden Valley, Tasmania, Australia. She is an Endurance rider, a professional trimmer, and a lecturer with TAFE Tasmania in the trade certificate 3 "Equine Hoof Care" course. She is also producer of the documentary about wild horses, "Running Naked--From Outback to Racetrack." Jen a has a wealth of useful tips about barefoot trimming and producing a gravel crunching hoof, visit her website www.wildabouthooves.com.au for more information!

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Trelawne Equine at BETA

Trelawne Equine, the UK trade supplier for the Easycare range of hoof boots including the Old Macs and Boa hoof boots are preparing this week for the BETA trade show. BETA is the annual show organised by the British Trade Association for equestrian wholesalers to exhibit to the equestrian retail trade. If you are a trimmer, farrier or retail shop, be sure to come and visit us at stand B7.1, we will be joined by Brian Mueller from Easycare- we have got some exciting offers for the duration of the show to tell you about!

Thursday 4 February 2010

Trelawne Equine are Easycare's Dealer of the Month

Trelawne Equine are Easycare's dealer of the month for February, read the full story on the Easycare Blog!

Monday 1 February 2010

Meet Karen and Bond!


Karen Corr and Bond Hardman from Lancashire are Trelawne Equines sponsored riders for 2010, congratulations to them both! They have been involved with the sport of endurance for approx. 12 years and have successfully introduced a number of horses to the sport. Among the horses they have produced was HT Aramis (Azlan), who reached FEI level, but unfortunately was taken from them suddenly when he developed cancer in his spleen at the prime age of 13. Azlan had been barefoot for the last 2yrs of his life and Karen and Bond had used Easy Boot Epics to help his transition from shoes. Karen told me "After losing Azlan, we had to start from scratch again. Luckily we had purchased a yearling colt, Jalaal ibn Krayaan ( Looey) from Pearl Island Arabians, with a view to him following in Azlan’s hoof steps as a top class endurance prospect. At 4yrs old, Looey was joined by his half sister Tweela and Bond and I rode together until they had both managed to upgrade to Open level and started to complete 65km rides. They managed this completely barefoot!"
Last year, Looey upgraded to Advanced level by completing an 80km ride completely barefoot. However, throughout 2008/9 we also used Renegade hoof boots when the going has been tougher.Tweela unfortunately didn't enjoy the longer distance rides, so she now lives with Bonds sister where she thoroughly enjoys just having fun! Bond and Karen have been watching the developments in the Easycare camp with interest for some time now, and jumped at the chance of entering when the competition when it was advertised. Trelawne Equine received a lot of very strong entries, and it took a good few weeks to reach the final decision, but in the end Karen and Bond shone through! Their passion for the welfare of their horses and their belief in barefoot is obvious and we are delighted to be working with them this year. We have already had a fitkit and boots out to them, and even with the limitations of the weather have manged to put the Gloves through the paces on a couple of strong rides. Karen reported to me that Subah has had a problem with the girth so has needed to be rested, but Looey has been out training and wrote " Anyway, the Easyboot Gloves had a run out today with Looey, who was being quite spirited with Bond. They stayed on throughout, without the power straps, no twisting, rubbing. I was amazed when they stayed on as he powered up hills from 0-60 in not many seconds. And then, they stayed on as he jumped up some steep steps out of a river - Renegades never stayed on his hinds when he's done this - they were notorious for popping off when he powers uphill in canter!" What is really good with this story is that Looey's feet are not considered to be the ideal shape for Gloves, and when I sent them to Karen I warned her they may not work as he has a very typical wide foot, yet they seem to be performing far better than a boot that was supposed to fit that shape foot! The glove really is a remarkable boot and continues to impress us, the simple design and ease of fitting is unmatched in the hoof boot market.