Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> I
> also tried the easy foam one weekend. I left it on for four days as I
> read on Karen's endurance blog that she left it on a few days...well,
> that did not work for me. It ruined all four boots, and his feet were
> very tender since it removed a lot of dead sole and frog when I finally
> got the boots off. It was very hard to remove. Also the stuff gets very
> very hot when you are first applying it...enough that my horse held his
> foot up in obvious discomfort. I will use it again, but only if I get
> good enough to do the 100 milers. I will use the easyboot customs until
> then. 

Patty - it sound as if your problem may have been due to something
besides the dead sole and frog coming off.  That ordinarily should
not cause a horse to be sore (unless there is thrush, so always be sure
to disinfect and clean thoroughly with a wire brush before foaming a boot
on).  

This is really important - for those foaming boots on, or using any type
of pour in pad - when the material hardens up it needs to be shaped
correctly to the bottom of the hoof.  With pour in pads I have seen
people do various techniques to make sure that the pad material is shaped
correctly.  When using Easyfoam is it VERY important that the horse
be standing and bearing weight in the boot as the foam expands.  If
that doesn't happen then the foam will swell inside the boot and can
cause uneven pressure points.  I will hold up the opposite foot to
keep the horse standing in the foam until the reaction ceases if the
horse doesn't stand square on his own.  

Needle nose pliers helps a lot to pull the foam out.  I haven't
tried it yet, but I also think that a dremmel tool might work to clean up
any remaining bits that you can't get out easily.  If you pull it
out immediately it is a lot easier.  If you can't do it right away,
then toss the boot into a bucket of water.  For more tips on using
foam, I have an article here: 

http://www.redwrench.com/ezboot/easyboot101part2.html  and lots
more boot tips on my blog: 

http://easycareinc.typepad.com/karen/   

I have been trying the foam again on Easyboots and gaiterless Bares with
Chief this year.  Some of our experiments have been turning out
rather well.  I think I am really close to having it dialed in.
:-)  Once I do I'll put together a more thorough tutorial on what
worked (and what didn't).  It is a great option for horses doing
mutliday rides (with or without shoes).  

Karen