It looks like Easyboot Epics may have saved the use of
our horse Flying Cloud. We bred and raised him, and I started him on
his endurance career when he was about 7. I did three 50s on him and he
was just getting better and better. I had finally found an outstanding
endurance horse that I could use for years of
competition!
Then, after a ride in 2001, a sneaky little rattlesnake
nearly put an end to my horse. It took 8 months to heal the wound on his
pastern and years to regain soundness. It appears that putting iron shoes
on the front feet caused enough concussion to aggravate the nerve damage
done by the venom. We now ride this horse unshod in front, but with
Easyboot Epics. The Epics not only cushion his feet, but do not come off,
thanks to the gaiters and ankle straps. Cloud had been a chronic front
shoe-puller because of his short back and long legs. He has not been
returned to competition condition, because I spent all this time since 2001
trying to develop another horse. After two tries on other horses, I now
have a horse I think will be good, and no one is riding Cloud enough to return
him to condition. Perhaps I should re-condition Cloud and see if the Epics
will keep him sound enough for a 50 miler. If not, at least he is sound
enough for a good pleasure horse, thanks to Epics.
SIDENOTE: Garrett Ford is a superior horseman and EasyBoots have
saved a lot of horses a lot of pain and enabled many riders to do this sport
in a manner they choose and prefer. Good on you, Garrett and
Easycare.
