Easyboot Gaiters Tearing

When using any hoof boot, the most common thing we say to customers is fit is paramount to the sauces of the boot. If you find the gaiter on your Easyboot Epic, Bare, Grip, Edge or Easyboot Glove rips or comes apart after use in the first month, this is almost certainly due to the boot not fitting the hoof correctly. If the boot is too long or wide, the hoof Will move up and down in the boot which puts pressure on the gaiter causing it to fail. A hoof boot that is too long for the hoof will also slow the horses natural breakover which can lead to overreaching and damaging the boot with a hind foot. The boot below was not a snug fit, which caused the hoof to move up and down in the boot putting pressure on the gaiter which caused it to tear.

Easy Fixes
If your Epic, Bare or Edge is a little too big in either the width or length a quick solution is to put a pair of our 12mm comfort pads in the bottom of the boots to help size it up. Another easy fix if your boot is a little too big in the length if it is a Bare or Epic is to change out the backstrap to a size smaller. With the gloves, the addition of a power strap will often help keep a boot firm that is a fraction loose.

Navicular Disease

Navicular: Excepts from an Article by Cheryl Sutor

The following is taken from Easycares blog, and the passage we have highlighted at the bottom is also what I have found from personal experience of owning a pony (in my youth) and horse (before I discovered the huge benefits of natural hoofcare!) both with this common problem. My holsteiner was the reason we began down the path of barefoot on the advice of a vet a good few years ago. The results I saw and the knowledge I gained after the the research I did totally changed my view of hoof care. After 9 months, and deciding along the way to take my two others barefoot as I learnt more were more than enough for me to realise I would not feel comfortable shoeing a horse in my care again!

The most common cause of lameness in horses is found in the navicular area of the horse's hoof.

The terms Navicular Disease and Navicular Syndrome are often used to define navicular problems. Navicular problems are not a disease, they are man-made. The word syndrome is defined as a commonly recurring group of symptoms of unknown cause. The cause of navicular is known and therefore, the term "syndrome" is not correct.

Navicular problems are man-made through improper trimming, short term or long term shoeing, improper diet or inadequate natural environment throughout a horse's life. This improper care can cause problems in the navicular area of the hoof, not to mention huge problems with the entire horse.

The navicular bone is located directly behind the coffin bone, held in betwen the short pastern and coffin bone by tendons and ligaments. The navicular bone has two main funtions:

1. To protect the joint and tendons from pressure and concussion.
2. To act as a valve for blood flow to the coffin bone and corium in the hoof.

The navicular bone plays a large role in the overall health of the hoof and of the whole horse. Horses at high risk of navicular are usually confined or stall-kept, while at the same time having strong physical demands placed on them.

In conventional treatments, navicular problems are temporarily hidden to preserve the horses usability. The underlying problem is not addressed. When the pain from navicular can no longer be hidden, euthanasia or a drugged up retirement are most often prescribed. Navicular probems are in no way a death sentence or a reason for painful retirement. Treating the problem with a proper natural lifestyle and correct barefoot trimming will prevent navicular in horses. Transitioning a horse from horse shoes to natural hoof care, i.e. natural hoof trimming or barefoot trimming, is known to reverse the effects of navicular. Use of protective horse boots can also help your horse be pain free during this transition.

The main treatment and prevention of navicular problems is to provide the best possible natural hoof care for your horse on a schedule, meaning every 1-4 weeks. Hoof care is one of the most important aspects of horse care. Ever hear the saying, "No hoof, No Horse?" Well, it's the truth! Every horse owner or caretaker should fully understand hoof mechanism, proper barefoot trimming and how it affects the horse's entire body and health.

For information and education on natural barefoot trimming, go to the following websites:

www.equinesoundness.com
www.hoofrehab.com
www.jasonmcclure.com
www.navicular-founder-rehab.com
www.ironfreehoof.com
www.barefootforsoundness.com
www.easycareinc.com

Shoeing is a definite road block in the prevention and healing of a horse with navicular problems and should not be used. You will see all of the damaging effects that horse shoes have on a horse's overall health and longevity.

The Easyboot Edge- FAQ's!

The Easyboot Edge is one of Easycares newest boots, and is becoming a very popular boot especially with riders that have always used the Epic or Bare. The Easyboot Edge hoof boot is a modern and easy to use hoof boot with an innovative front fastening system. Here are some frequently asked questions about the new Easyboot edge (as seen in www.Easycareinc.com's blog):
Q If my horse wears a size 1 Easyboot, Easyboot Epic, Easyboot Bare or Easyboot Grip what is the comparable size?
A The sizing for the Edge Hoof Boot is the same as the boots above. It is always a good idea to remeasure before buying new horse boots.

Q In comparison to other boots in your line, how easy is this boot to get on and off?
A We believe this is one of the easiest boots in our line to apply and remove. The worm clamp allows the boot to open wider, and it is easy to adjust.

Q Can I use these boots for both short and long distances?
A Yes. This boot has been tested over various terrain for both short distances and endurance rides.

Q Can the worm clamp be replaced if something happens to it?
A Yes, we have replacement parts available. Click here for Edge Accessories.

Q What if I loose the key? Is there something else I can use?
A Yes, you can use a penny or flat head screwdriver to tighten the worm clamp. We do not recommend the use of a power tool as the boot could be easily over-tightened. You can also purchase a replacement EasyKey here.

Q How tight should the boot be?
A Using the EasyKey or a manual screwdriver, you should not be able to over-tighten the boot by hand. The boot should be very snug and you should not be able to insert a hoof pick between it and the hoof. The tongue of the boot is padded for extra comfort when the boot is applied.

Q What types of feet do not fit well into the boot?
A Hooves that have excessive flare, are clubbed or that have abnormalities in the hoof wall do not fit well into this boot.

Q How should the gaiter fit?
A The gaiter should fit low and tight around the pastern. The gaiters are made out of a four-way stretch material and it is hard to get them too tight. A tight gaiter will not move around on the pastern and will not chafe.

The Importance of The Wild Horse Trim

The wild horse trim is what most methods of barefoot trimming are based upon. A wild horse will live and wear their hoof as nature intended. Consider the image of the wild horse's hoof below. There are also some wild horse hooves that you can view on the Tribe Equus website at www.tribeequus.com. Wild hooves are quite different from what we are used to seeing in a domestic horse, so it is worth spending some time looking at them to educate your eye. Most farriers will perform a pasture trim if asked to remove a horse shoes, and the client will be told the horse only needs trimming every 8-12 weeks. Unfortunately, this is not how nature intended a hoof capsule to function, so any horse without shoes should be trimmed and maintained with a barefoot trim at an interval of 2-4 weeks on average. A good farrier will understand the subtle difference between the trims and be more than qualified to maintain the barefoot horses hooves. A qualified barefoot practitioner is also invaluable to trim and give advice about the health and maintenance of the barefoot horse.
With a barefoot trim, the hooves of domestic horses, are trimmed to imitate the shape of wild horse hooves, with two qualifications:

1) Hooves that go 10 to 20 miles (15 to 30 km) daily as wild horses do, on hard ground will look better and be shorter (higher position of the coffin bone inside the hoof capsule), than hooves that don't go so far, or that work mostly on soft footing.

2) Wild hooves living on flat prarie would look different from the wild hooves that lived on dry, rocky mountainsides.

Natural Hoof Care and using Protective horse boots such as the ones offered by EasyCare will increase the long healthy lives of our Equine Friends. In our wetter climate and varied terrain in the UK, booting is often necessary to help the horse cope with sudden changes in ground conditions at events or pleasure rides. Learn all about our Hoof Care Products and hoof boots by visiting www.trelawneequine.co.uk

The Easyboot RX- the ultimate therapy boot!

Easyboot RX- Versatile and Easy to apply! The Easyboot Rx is a very versatile hoof boot and an excellent choice for those horses that simply have difficulty standing on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. The RX therapy boot can be used to speed recovery and offer protection after surgery or injury, lessen fatigue and add protection during trailering as well as offer a safeguard in the breeding shed. The sole of the Easyboot RX is a combination of durable and soft material, much like that used in human orthotics, in a lightweight package. All seams and edges of the upper are rounded for safety. The Easyboot RX hoof boot has 3 air vents provide air circulation keeping the barefoot hoof cool while preventing the accumulation of dirt and debris. Each RX poultice/ therapy boot comes fitted with an EasyCare Comfort Pad to provide immediate relief and additional sole support. Replacement comfort pads in three densities are available at a very affordable price. Application of the RX hoof boot is quick and easy. The unique upper of the Easyboot Rx folds down and opens large enough to accommodate the wide base of a horse's hoof, allowing for quick application without strength or force. After the hoof is placed in the Easyboot Rx, two hook and loop tabs are fastened to provide a secure fit. A quick pull on the hook and loop tabs and the Easyboot Rx is easily slipped off the hoof. Each boot has a double hook and loop lock system that prevents the boot from opening unintentionally. The Easyboot Rx is not intended for riding but can be used for light turn out. Sold individually.