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RE: [RC] [RC] easy boot epics - terry banisterThe Epics are supposed to be available by MID JANUARY.My friend and I were testing them at the Bonita Turkey Trot on our barefoot horses, and they did well. We being a couple of navigationally challenged females did not complete, but we put 47 miles on the boots, and they would have stayed on longer. The boots are simply your basic Easy Boot that you are all familiar with, however, they have an added heel gaiter (Boa boot material) with a Neoprene cuff. This gaiter made all the difference in keeping the boot on (barefoot hoof). Probably would still not pass for NATRC because it does cover the back of the heel and pastern. The inside of the boot has the original metal prongs, covered by a rubber flap. Since the rubber flap had ridges for gripping, we flattened the metal prongs. We put cotter pins in the hole on the front of the buckle latch to keep it from flipping open, and this worked. When removing the boots at the end of the day, I noticed that one boot on each of our horses (hind foot) had a broken buckle, but the cotter pin had held it in place. The Neoprene on one each of our boots tore partially, but did not affect performance. BTW: The entire gaiter is removeable and replaceable by the three side screws, so if they get damaged during a ride, you can pretty much restore them. I don't know what the replacement cost will be yet. After removing the boots that night, there was no noticeable damage, rubbing, or anything on the hoof, heel or pastern area. Horses went through water crossings and all types of footing for the ride. Because we had just received the boots two days before the ride, we did not have time to adjust them beforehand, and one pair of my friend's boots was a size too big for her horse. Consequently, she did not have them adjusted well in the beginning, and two of her boots came off in the first 10 miles. However, once she reinstalled them correctly, they stayed on the rest of the day without problems. Also, because of our unfamiliarity with the adjustments needed, there was some "grunting and guessing" because they were brand new and stiff and we didn't know how tight to clamp the buckle and cable, and the cotter pins were frustrating to get out especially in the dark and mud. I know these boots are not in their final form, but as they are now, I feel that someone could get through a 100 miler by carrying spares in the crew bag or cantle bag, just in case. Except for the cotter pins, the boot is easily put on and off on the trail, and they stow in the normal Easy Boot cantle bag. Also, someone e-mailed me that she finished the LD with Boa Boots on front and barefoot on back and had no problems. Terry "May the Horse be with you"
When do you think they will be out? can anyone describe them? will they conform to natrcs rules of not covering hair line or heel bulb? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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