ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Easy Boots
Re: [endurance] Easy Boots
navion@lightspeed.net
Wed, 13 Dec 1995 17:39:04 PST
UNSHOD HORSES
I use easyboots on unshod horses when I take them on a trail ride. It cerainly
saves their feet. I agree with Teddy that they need to be painted a bright
color. I have spray painted mine but it wears off just like Teddy says. I have
also tied surveyors flagging on them to help locate them. They can get pulled
off unshod feet fairly easily in mud, soft dirt or bushes. If you make the
claws on the inside grip more the boots don't come off as easily but it damages
the hoofs more. I don't like them for any horse I'm riding a lot because: 1) I
lose them. 2) It damages the sides of the hoof more than nails and eventually
causes the heels to get low. However for less often ridden horses they are
great.
SHOD HORSES
I carry them as a spare tire and I put them on both front feet in rocky or
hard ground. This provides protection and cushioning for my shoed, unpadded,
endurance horse. I smash the claws down flat so I get very little hoof damage.
But the flattened claws catch on the shoes and I've never lost one off a shoed
horse.
GENERAL
I agree with the other posts on how to remove, be careful and don't force
them. I have not used the foam but I'm sure it would help but is a trade off
because it takes more time. The best price I've seen is through American
Livestock in Wisconsin. $26.54 each if you buy four and they pay shipping and
no sales tax. 800-356-0700 . I recently got 6 from them.
Sorry Teddy
Jim Mitchell
navion@bak2.lightspeed.net
Bakersfield, Calif.