Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

RE: [RC] [RC] Karen, ? about epics. - terry banister

Karen,
That is exciting news to hear a "transition" story about a horse that had previously been shod and had no time to develop calloused soles, yet still completed a difficult 50-miler!
I am curious about your comments: "I wanted to see if the boots would work
as they came, and they did. With no alterations." 

. . . yet you stated:
"Next ride, this is what I will do with the Epics:
Remove gaitor, cut down heel strap in back, put gaitor back on
Grind toe even more, to speed breakover on the front feet only
I will put them on and off each day
At the vet check and/or at any other opportune times, I will undo the velcro and check for sand/pebbles"

Why?

Terry
"May the Horse be with you"




From: DreamWeaver <nvrider@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC]   Karen, ? about epics.
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005 23:00:58 -0800

Hi Nina - well, this is what happened (short version). I had originally intended to ride Weaver in the ride Saturday. He unfortunately hurt himself. I ended up riding Chief (it worked out that way for a reason). I think I Chief was/is in better shape at the moment and I would have felt horrible taking Weaver on such a difficult ride. As it turned out we had just recently pulled Chief's shoes. Talk about jumping into the fire!

The Epics came UPS on Thursday afternoon. Lucky for me, Chief is a very adaptable horse. One thing I figured out, is that even tho he has always worn a size 2 easyboot with shoes on, and the size 2 Epics fit him fine.....I was able to get a size 1 on him. I would have never thought that possible. I held up a size 1 Epic bottom to bottom from the Epic to his hoof, and it was pretty much flush, yet I was able to get it to fit over the bare hoof. Got it on, tightened the velcro around his ankle as snug as I could, and buckled the buckle down. I did have to lift his foot off of the ground in order to pull the nylon strap out after pulling the heel strap up. There is *no way* I could have pulled that strap out with him bearing weight on the boot.

The boots stayed on all day, and I was glad that I had not made any modifications to the boot. I wanted to see if the boots would work as they came, and they did. With no alterations. I took the boots off after finishing last night (after the vet check, because I wanted the vet to sign the form showing I had started and finished the entire ride with 4 boots on), I did notice that on Chief's front heel bulbs he had stripes (indentions). He has been living in ankle deep mud for weeks. This morning, however, there are no stripes. I spent a great deal of time with him today and his feet are in excellent condition, you would never know he did anything yesterday. There was no rubbing, nothing is warm or inflamed or sore, and he looks great. I would expect him to adapt well, but I sure would not have taken him barefoot with the Epics on this ride if I had known ahead of time the level of difficulty. Like I said, nothing like jumping into the fire. We started out with a real test, that is for sure! There are no rides this season that Chief will do that are more difficult than the one he did yesterday. (50 mile distance)

I looked over all 4 boots he used yesterday, and they are all in excellent condition. The front boots do have a couple of minor dings. Yet nothing to indicate he was interfering enough for it to be a problem. I was skeptical about the boots working, and yet I see how well they did work, with no time to adjust. Way cool.

Next ride, this is what I will do with the Epics:

Remove gaitor, cut down heel strap in back, put gaitor back on
Grind toe even more, to speed breakover on the front feet only
I will put them on and off each day
At the vet check and/or at any other opportune times, I will undo the velcro and check for sand/pebbles

I didn't have a single problem with the Epics during the ride yesterday. I really am surprised, especially for my horse who is Easyboot Challenged. These new boots worked real well. (don't horses usually need more than 2 or 3 days to adjust to being barefoot? lol) ;^)

Karen
in NV


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Replies
[RC] Karen, ? about epics., DreamWeaver