easyboots

[TddWil@aol.com]

Tami,
  I started using easyboots at the end of last summer. I don't need shoes to 
ride at home unless we are having a drought and the ground is like concrete, 
but I would shoe all 4 plus pads in front for the rides I did in Virginia 
(rocks!). Then I would have to pull the shoes or cut out the pads when I got 
home because of thrush. Nail holes close together from trying to not have a 
shoeing job older than 4 wks on a ride also caused Jabar's feet to chip. I 
conditioned with the easyboots and never had one come off. We went thru sand, 
mud, water, on paved roads, etc. They are a real ^%$^%$^% to put on at first, 
but it gets easier. Fitting them to your horse is interesting, too. First, do 
like the easyboot directions say and measure horses hoof across at the widest 
point after having his feet trimmed. Front feet may be a larger size than 
back (Jabar's are). When you get boot cut the back down like they say. I had 
to cut the front of the front boots down because they hit the soft coronary 
band. I did not adjust the metal points that grip the hoof. They left marks 
on his feet but not too deep. Put boot on foot using webbing run thru the 
strap to pull on. Start it straight or you will goof up. have a flat head 
screwdriver within reach in case you get the %$%^ boot halfway on and it goes 
crooked - you won't be able to pull it off with your hand. Then set the foot 
down and pull up on the back strap . I pull mine up to a little under the 
hairline, but never over. The back straps can be adjusted, but I didn't have 
to do that (thank God). Then adjust the cable one notch tighter than you can 
fasten with your hand - then fasten the boot using your foot to press the 
buckle down. That foot tidbit is courtesy of Corry Clinton at Horses Dacor, 
which is where I got the boots. She has good directions in her catalog. 
Between her directions and the easyboot directions the only thing I didn't do 
was put some nail polish on the screws that hold the back strap on. This 
keeps them from falling out like one of mine did. Nobody told me about that 
little problem. Now, after going thru all that, the only ride I used them on 
was a 30 where I got pulled at 14 miles and the horse ended up being retired 
because of a gait problem. Go figure. I haven't delved into the foam or the 
dirt skirts and don't like the idea of the keeper straps.

                                                       Good Luck
                                                        Shelly and Jabar the 
fat backyard semi-retired                           
                                                                              
                                A-rab