Re: Was barefoot - now Easy Boots?

["Robyn Levash" <questarabians@inreach.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer Thompson <jlthompson@earthlink.net>
To: Ridecamp <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 9:42 AM
Subject: RC: Was barefoot - now Easy Boots?


> Hi all,
>
> Thanks for everyone's responses about taking my mare in her
> first LDs barefoot.  I've been advised to have boots with
> me, just in case.  Which is smart, so I'm going to.
>
> I've never used any kind of boots before, and have had many
> recommendations for the three main contenders - EZ Boots,
> Horsesneakers, and Old Macs.
>
> The tack store around the corner from me only has EZ Boots.
> It would be the most convenient for me, if I lose one and
> needed a quick replacement, etc.
>
> Could somebody please email me about how to properly fit my
> horse for these, and what tricks to use to keep them on?
> Also, what is the best way to get my horse used to them,
> what to watch out for, etc.?

I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK SO FAR WITH ONE OF MY GELDINGS USING EASY BOOTS (FRONTS
ONLY). WE RIDE ON HILLY TERRIAN, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF ROCKS THOUGH LIKE
WHERE YOU TRAIN. I HAVE FOUND THAT EASY BOOTS DO NOT STAY ON VERY WELL ON
THE HINDS OF BARE FEET. AND THEY DO NOT STAY ON VERY WELL GOING THREW WATER
AND BARE FEET. THEY HAVE FOAM WHERE YOU CAN FOAM THEM ON BUT I STILL HAVE
HAD PROBLEMS KEEPING THEM ON IN REAL ROUGH TERRIAN OR GOING THREW A LOT OF
WATER. WHEN MY HORSES WHERE SHOD, THEY STAY ON MUCH MORE BETTER CAUSE YOU
CAN HOOK THE BACK STRAP OVER THE LIP OF THE SHOE.

FOR FITTING EASY BOOTS ON BARE FEET, THIS IS WHAT HAS WORKED FOR THIS
PARTICULAR HORSE:
I BUY THE NEW VERSION FOR HORSES TRIMMED WITH A LOWER HEEL, AND THE TOE IS
ROLLED MORE THAN THE OLD VERSION. I BUY THE NEW VERSION BECAUSE MY HORSE ARE
TRIMMED WITH A LOWER HEEL (NATURAL TRIM). I TEND TO FIT THEM TO WHERE THEY
ARE SNUG, BUT NOT TOO SNUG. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE THEM OFF AND ON ON THE
TRAIL WITHOUT HAVING TO CARRY ANY EXTRA TOOLS. I FIND THAT IF THEY ARE TOO
TIGHT THEY CAN BRUISE THE HEELS AND INHIBIT PROPER HOOF MECHANISM.
I HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT OLD MACS, BUT IF NOT PROPERLY FITTED THEY MAY RUB
ON CERTAIN HORSES. GOOD THING IS THAT THEY DO NOT COME OFF IN ANY TERRIAN OR
WATER FROM WHAT I HEAR.
I HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT HORSEAKERS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE A PRETTY PENNY. BUT
IF YOU ARE ONLY USING THEM ON OCCASION IT MAY BE WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT.
I SEEN THEM, BUT NEVER USED THEM. THEY LOOK PRETTY COOL.


>
> I also am concerned about the little metal things that dig
> into the hoof wall.   Can the use of these be avoided?  I
> don't want to compromise my mare's hoof walls at all, if I
> can help it.  Or maybe they don't do that much damage?  I
> know nothing about using boots - never needed them even in
> the rockiest terrain out here in Sunland.  But I want to be
> prepared.

MY GELDING GETS A LITTLE TINY GROOVE FROM THE EASY BOOT METAL GROOVES, BUT I
DO NOT FIND THAT IT IN ANY WAY HURTS HIM OR DAMAGES THE HOOF WALL TO ANY
DEGREE THAT IS OF A CONCERN. YOU CAN FLATTEN THE METAL GROOVES, BUT I'M
AFRAID YOU MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH GRIPPING POWER AND MAY BE CONSTANTLY LOSING
YOUR BOOTS. TOO BAD THE EASY BOOT COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE A LO JACK ALARM
SYSTEM TO WARN US ENDURANCE RIDERS THAT THE BOOT HAVE BECOME DISMANTLED FROM
THE FOOT. HE HE!

ROBYN
>
> Thanks!
> Jennifer
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>