Easyboot and Easyboot Epic range of adjustment

There are a variety of cable adjustments can be made to secure an Easyboot or Easyboot Epic on your horses hoof. The ideal adjustment is one that will require more strength to push the buckle down than most people can do with their hands, using your heel to step on the buckle is an easy way to close the boot. If the buckle goes down too easily, then chances are it won't stay fastened because it is too loose.

Have a look at the pictures below for a guide to the different positions you can use to secure the boots:
This picture shows how the boot looks before applying the hoof boots




This is the standard way to fit the cables, up through the central groove in the buckle system- a good starting point.




This is the loosest setting possible, and works for horses in the upper ranges of the measurements or those with an upright hoof.




This is an intermediate setting between the two




This is a tighter setting, putting the cable through the centre with one part and the other part going around the side. As the cable is on a pulley system, this will not cause an unevenness to the fastening.




This is the tightest setting, ideal for a shallow hoof angle or hoof on the smaller end of the measurements.



Another handy tip... Rather than using a screw driver or Hoof Pick to open the buckle, use the nylon pull strap that comes with the boot. Just slide it under the buckle so that you can pull it up with both hands. This will give you the leverage you need to pull the buckle up without needing any tools!

Comfort pads- the essential addition to hoof boots!

A barefoot horses hoof differs in many ways from a shod horses foot, but one noticeable and very important feature is the way the hoof loads when it hits the ground. A naturally bare hoof will support the weight and shock accross the whole foot, unlike a shod horse that loads peripherally (on the wall of the hoof alone). The hoof wall was never designed to take the whole load, and unless the shod horse is working in a fairly deep surface it will miss out on this important additional support. Other than on a totally flat surface such as a road (which it is advisable to only walk or gentle trotting uphill due to the shock involved, although this is obviously substantially less bare hooved than shod!). When using a hoof boot, you are creating a flat surface for the hoof to walk on, no matter what the terrain. In order to counteract the potential for peripheral loading, it is advisable to always use a pad, and replace them when they become too flat to support the sole. A 6mm medium or soft comfort pad is ideal for horses that have no preexisting problems, and can be used in any of the boots including the Easyboot Glove. If the horse is sore or has limb problems including minor things such as windgalls or sore shins as 12mm pad would be beneficial. All riding hoof boots other than the glove will take a 12mm pad without the need to alter the sizing.

February Update from Karen and Bond

Karen and Bond are Trelawne Equine's sponsored riders for 2010, and are helping us to put the Easycare hoof boots well and truely through their paces! Karen writes:

February started off well, with Looey and Subah upping their training distance in boots and also barefoot. We’d managed to sort out Subah’s girth issue by going back to a good old fashioned cord girth. Unfortunately, Looey started with some rubs from the gaiters as we increased the distance in training. We had another look at the fitting details and decided that because he’s in size 3 and 2.5 gloves (big clodhopping feet for an Arab!), the gaiters were actually too big. After discussing things over with Lucy at Trelawne Equine, we decided to get size 1 gaiters and have them stitched onto the size 3 and 2.5 boot attachment. Our local saddler, Peter Duggan, did a great job, despite his original misgivings about weakening the gaiter. This meant that Looey was without boots for a couple of weeks but his feet are in great shape and he continued to fly over all terrain completely barefoot with no issues.

I decided that I could probably benefit from some lessons, especially with Subah, so mid-February saw us hiring a local indoor arena and having a lesson with Laura Butler from Inspired Equitation. The idea was to work on my position in order to help Subah use his abdominal muscles properly, lengthen his stride and work over his back. We had an interesting lesson in more ways than one. First off, diggers were being driven round the side of the arena. Subah had a couple of explosive moments about this, but I manage to stay on board since I was expecting him to freak. Once they’d parked up, he began to relax and so did I, resulting in some lovely lengthened strides. Laura had already deduced that Subah really didn’t know where his back feet were and had given me some things to work on at home. However, I wasn’t expecting him to demonstrate this is such an extreme way. He clipped a trotting pole with one hind foot as we were walking round the outside of the arena, completely exploded, leapt in the air sideways, landed with me just about hanging on and then freaked because of me and leapt again dumping me heavily on a rather compacted sand surface which felt like landing on concrete! OUCH!! I was in one piece but knew I’d be very colourful in a few days. I managed to climb back on, finish the lesson and hack home. After 2 days, I was aching from head to toe, but luckily I managed to go to my regular pilates class and stretch out all the aches and pains.

Some more snow put a short hold on our training, we’d entered our first organised training ride at the end of February. I did wonder if we’d done enough work with them. Looey has held a lot of his fitness from last year, but Subah hasn’t had a full year of being ridden, so we need to take things steadier with him. We’d got Looey’s boots back from the saddler and managed one trial run in them before the ride. They looked much better…we could now tighten them properly, so there were no gaps. Subah was now in a new endurance saddle but I was having “ issues” with it. I was struggling keeping my right foot in the stirrup and felt that I was riding lop sided. Bond said that I seemed to be twisting in the saddle. Bond agreed to ride Subah on the ride, since I’ve had back problems in the past and didn’t want to exacerbate anything with Subah or me by riding crookedly. Bond was also having a rough time with Looey, since he was being very competitive and had started to pull his arms out at every opportunity in order to get in front of Subah. For some reason, Looey doesn’t muck about as much with me – maybe he’s glad to have a few stone less to carry!!

The ride was only about an hours drive away in Stockport, organised by the local bridleways association in connection with Lancashire Endurance Group. The weather forecast was mixed – we might even have snow! However, on the day it was overcast, chilly, but at least it was dry. The route was 21km of very mixed going, really good for a youngster – we rode round the edge of towns, through parkland, rough tracks out into the countryside, over bridges, horse stiles, through deep mud. We had a few opportunities to canter but the going mainly dictated trotting and the odd walk on really slippy, muddy grass. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and so did we! They skipped round at an average speed of 10kph. It was really nice to see everyone out and about again. These training rides are brilliant value for money. Helen, the organiser had even included a choice of sandwiches, crisps, choccie biscuit and a drink – all for a tenner!

We’d booted all round with the Easyboot Gloves and decided not to use the power straps, just to see how well they stayed on, especially with Subah since he has wider than long feet. They didn’t budge. However Looey suffered some rubs on his pasterns again. So, we’ve got a bit of experimenting to do with him. Some ideas that we’re going to try are using pastern wraps under the gaiters, or taking the gaiters off and wrapping athletic tape round his hoof to help secure the boot, so we’ll keep you posted as to which we think works best. However, we’re also looking forward to trying the “new” gaiter which should be available soon.

Looey and Subah, also had an MOT from our physio this month. Just as well, since Fiona uncovered why we were having problems riding Subah. It seems that he did injure himself when he chucked me off after all. The right side of his back was really tight and he also had a tight muscle in his right buttock! This was making him banana shaped – hence I couldn’t keep my right stirrup and kept feeling as if I was crooked. Bond had felt the same on the ride and we realised that it was either Subah or the saddle which was the problem. At least we now know! So Subah is currently not being ridden but doing lots of stretching exercises and being long reined and lunged in the Pessoa to encourage him to stretch through his back. He only needs a week off and will the hopefully be back up and running for another couple of training rides in March.

Easycare Nitrile Gloves now available

Trelawne Equine is bringing another superb product into the UK, the Easycare nitrile gloves. These durable gloves are strong yet supple, and ideal for wearing whilst applying hoof boots or trimming, as well as general yard work or anytime you need a strong glove that still gives you feel. The gloves retail at £8.99 and come in sizes small to extra large, and are unisex so ideal for male or female trrimmers and boot fitters. The Easycare nitrile gloves are the ideal addition to any barefoot owners tack box. For trade enquiries or your nearest stockist, please contact Trelawne Equine on 0844 257 8585 or email sales@trelawneequine.co.uk.

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.

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!

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!