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EasyCare Protective Hoof Boots - Epic & Boa

Epic Boots $56 each, $105 a pair

Boa Boots $135 a pair

EasyCare, Inc.

A primary reason that the barefoot movement is finally able to move forward is because EasyCare has put their heart into evolving a boot that is capable of replacing and surpassing the traditional horse shoe. I proudly fit, sell and service EasyCare products, however if you need to buy them elsewhere, see the EasyCare sites (below) for information on application, sizing and fitting, and to view the many testimonials to their integrity and the quality of the products they sell.

Am I a fan of their products. Yes!!

www.easycareinc.com/barefootinfo.aspx

Another preson who likes thses boots is Karen Chaton, who has a few wonderful web pages on them:

If you want to see video and photo albums of Epics and Bares http://members.tripod.com/ridephotos/

I used the bares on my last 50, hind feet (regular epics on front): http://aerc.org/Photo_Gallery/EHSC05/EHSC05.html grey horse, bottom three pics, and probably has ears in a few shots too :)


EPIC

The Epic is similar to the original EasyBoot with an attached gaiter. Epic is easier to put on than the original EasyBoot and is secure by design. I highly recommend use of Epic boots for hard trail riding and distance riding as well as an emergency boot.

- Boot is designed to sit below the coronet band on most horses, & covers the hoof wall in a way that keeps debris out of the boot
- Gaiter ensures that the boot stays on the horses' leg even if it slips off the hoof.
- Boot can be adjusted to remain securely on the hoof without restricting natural hoof contraction & expansion
The clamp can be locked

MODIFICATIONS I remove the heel strap (cutting it at the metal cleat plate) and / or cleat cover when necessary to avoid rubbing or bruising. When I remove the cleat cover, I also flatten the cleats & cover flattened cleats with duct tape. I suggest that users ride for a mile and remove boots to determine if the heel strap or cleat cover is causing irritation or hoof-wall bruising.

Sizing This is my brief printable sizing chart. For a comprehensive sizing and fitting chart, see EasyCares page.

EasyCare's Description of Epic www.easycareinc.com/easyboot-epic.aspx

The EasyCare Epic is ideal for the barefoot horse, muddy conditions or for a horse who is difficult to keep booted. The attached Gaiter provides extra protection to the hoof as well as keeps excess dirt and debris from getting into the boot It also helps keep the boot on during extreme conditions such as mud, snow, and water crossings. This is an excellent boot for long distance riding! The Easyboot Gaiter can be purchased as an accessory for the Easyboot, or comes packaged and assembled on the Easyboot Epic.


#SB-EASYEPIC - $58.00ea. (Suggested Retail Price)

The Easyboot has been the industry's leading horse boot for the last thirty years. During this time period, Easyboots have been used to win endurance races, complete mounted treks from 2,000-18,000 miles in length, provide traction to mounted police units, treat many hoof problems and ride a horse home after a lost shoe. Although the Easyboot concept has continued to improve each year, in 2005 we introduced several enhancements which incorporate testing and feedback from horsemen all over the world.

Changes in technology nearly always occur after the original release of an item - think of the rapid evolution of most electronic toys we own. These changes do not mean you must give up your old boots--any generation Easyboot is a great Easyboot! We will continue to support, repair or replace any boots from the entire EasyCare horse boot line as set out in the EasyCare Horse Boot Return Policy.

Using Easyboots is a natural way to provide hoof protection, traction, treatment, cushioning and correction while allowing the horse to go barefoot at all other times. They fit snugly to the hoof, are lighter and last many times longer than standard steel plates. Properly fitted, they stay on as well as nailed-on shoes with an important advantage - if an Easyboot is pulled off, the rider can put it right back on.

BOA

The Boa selling feature is ease of use! Very easy to get on and off, yet extremely secure and durable. They don't need modifications, but I suggest using gaiters and the new front cushions. Are not suggested for endurance ride duration as they cover the corronet band and rubbing may occur. Over-tightening the dial can bruise the hoof wall under the dial.

Boa Horse Boot™ www.easycareinc.com/boa-boot.aspx

The concept of an equine hoof boot is not new -- EasyCare has been manufacturing, testing and actively using hoof boots in extreme situations since the early 1970’s. Over the last thirty years, we’ve seen many hoof boots come and go, and we’ve used and studied them as they arrived. Some of these products have potential and very positive design features, while others don’t.

The Boa Horse Boot™ has been developed, tested and manufactured to improve upon the equine hoof boot concept. EasyCare’s successful history in manufacturing and using hoof boots has given us the experience and knowledge needed to develop the most complete equine hoof boot on the market. The Boa Horse Boot™ is the result.


The Boa Horse Boot™ has been developed with three main objectives:

1. Unlimited Uses. The Boa Horse Boot™ provides excellent hoof protection for both occasional and everyday riding for the barefoot horse, but can also be used in the correction and treatment of founder, navicular disease, punctures, abscesses, bruises, contracted heels and other impact­caused injuries. It also provides protection during trailering, breeding and a quick fix for the occasional lost shoe.

2. Ultimate Protection & Retention. The Boa Horse Boot™ has been designed to protect and remain on the hoof during aggressive riding conditions. The Boa Horse Boot™ provides protection to the frog, sole, hoof wall, hairline and bulb area.

3. Quick and Easy Application. Many of the current hoof boots require tools and strength during application and removal. The Boa Lacing System™ is used on the Boa Horse Boot™ as the primary closure system. The Boa Lacing System™ allows the Boa Horse Boot™ to open large enough to accommodate the wide base of a hoof, allowing for quick application without strength or force. After the hoof is placed in the Boa Horse Boot™, the Boa Lacing System™ quickly tightens with a turn of the dial. Removing the Boa Horse Boot™ is simple: pull the dial, the lace tension releases and the Boa Horse
Boot™ is easily slipped off the hoof.

The Boa Horse Boot™ is the first horse boot to use materials and technology previously found only in modern athletic shoes and snowboard boots. Modern materials and manufacturing techniques, combined with the unique Boa Lacing System™, make the Boa Horse Boot™ the most advanced horse boot ever.

The outside tread pattern of the Boa Horse Boot™ has been designed for traction, yet allows the hoof and lower leg to move after contact with the ground surface. There is a fine line between traction and aggressive traction. Boots or shoes with aggressive traction don’t allow movement of the hoof and lower leg, causing unneeded lower limb stress and injuries. The Boa Horse Boot™ has been designed to provide traction similar to the natural barefoot hoof. Boa Horse Boots™ provide traction without injuries.

The Boa Lacing System™ makes Boa Horse Boots™ easy to put on and take off, and micro adjustments inherent to the closure allow the boot to fit snugly to almost any hoof. Boa Horse Boots™ fit snugly around the hoof and above the hairline without joint interference during motion.

Although Boa Horse Boots™ have many veterinary and medical uses, they should not be used to hold medications or invasive substances. Many of the medicines used to treat hoof ailments will react adversely with Boa Horse Boot™ leathers and the urethane sole.

Sizing For a comprehensive sizing and fitting chart, see EasyCares page.

Linda Cowles Hoof Care
Serving the greater Bay Area & Northern California
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