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.
The Easyboot 2005 is the ultimate in hoof protection and one of the most important items you should carry with you on any ride. Prevent lameness and frustration when you lose a shoe far from home and still finish your ride without compromising the health and safety of your horse. Easyboots can also be worn in place of steel shoes or even over steel shoes for additional protection, traction and cushioning on rocks and hard ground. These boots are ideal for horses with laminitis, founder, abscesses and other hoof-related medical problems. Made from durable urethane and in sizes to fit most horses, these boots will outlast any steel shoe!
In 1970 when Dr. Neel Glass, a nuclear physicist at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories, found his horse suffering from navicular disease, he began work on an idea that would prove to be a revolution in hoof care for horses. He developed the tough, durable polyurethane Easyboot. The boot is now used for correction and treatment of founder, navicular, nail punctures, abscesses, bruises, contracted heels and other impact caused injuries. It provides excellent hoof protection for both occasional and long distance riding and gives a secure fit for traction on rocks, pavement, snow and ice.Most endurance riders use Easyboots as a shoeing alternative, protection over shoes or as a spare tire when a horse loses a shoe.
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.
cable and buckle system offers numerous adjustments
beveled toe provides natural breakover
boot fits below the hairline, preventing rubs; all parts are replaceable
Need studs? Ours are easily installed and provide traction on ice, mud or turf
Changes in 2005
20% more tread for long wear and great traction!
The optional Easyboot Gaiter attachment is the largest change for 2005. This new gaiter attachment is an accessory that can be added to all boots manufactured after January 2005. The Easyboot Gaiter is ideal for the barefoot horse, muddy conditions or for a horse who is difficult to keep booted. The Easyboot Gaiter can be purchased as an accessory for the Easyboot, or comes packaged and assembled on the Easyboot Epic.
The two vertical "folds" or gussets on the front of the boot (adjacent to the entry/exit holes for the cable) are now open, allowing the front and sides of the boot to flex for easier installation on the hoof and a better fit.
The side clips are now integrated with the inside back strap. Side clip covers, to be optionally snapped over the face of the "teeth," are also included with each boot. When used, these covers reduce the aggressiveness of the Easyboot’s attachment to the hoof wall. This would be suitable when the hardness (moisture content) of your horse’s hoof wall is less than optimum.
The Easyboot buckle is now drilled to accept a locking pin. The buckle can now be locked into place after the boot is installed.
The inside-sole "nubs" are gone, allowing a more natural contact of the hoof’s sole to the surface of the boot.
The front buckle rivets are now recessed and will not touch the hoof wall.
Easyboot sizing has been fine-tuned. Be sure to measure the hoof and verify sizing from the new chart, before purchasing a 2005 Easyboot. Even if your horse has always worn a particular size in the past, this is an important step to take in ensuring a perfect fit.
The Ultimate Product Test
Easyboots® were used to complete the longest horseback journey in history - 18,000 miles in five and a half years through fourteen countries. The journey began at Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina on the Beagle Channel on February 18, 1988 and ended in the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, USA on September 2, 1993.
"When Vladimir and I set out to ride horseback from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina to the North Slope of Alaska, we were confronted with the problem of caring for our horses hooves over 18,000 miles of rough and varied terrain. Neither of us had experience shoeing horses and we had no idea how difficult it would be to find farriers en route. Fortunately a veterinarian well acquainted with endurance riding (Matthew Mackay-Smith, DVM)steered us to Easyboots.
"At the outset, Vladimir and I had practically every misadventure a rider could hope for, but we didn't give a second thought to our horses' hooves. As we anticipated, our trail led us over the worst that nature can offer and our Easyboots weathered it all. Occasionally, because we were traveling in such remote areas, it was hard to receive shipments of new Easyboots and necessity made competent farriers out of Vladimir and me. Still, the Panamanian sun can sap the enjoyment out of most activities, particularly pulling old shoes and putting on new ones. We always breathed a sigh of relief when our next shipment of Easyboots reached us. And beyond the convenience, with the boots on, our horses never got sore feet on coarse gravel and they never slipped on pavement. Riding as much as we did, these were important considerations.
"On September 2nd of 1993 Vladimir and I arrived as Prudhoe Bay in Alaska along with our horses, Sufridor, Fichu, and Nori. We had crossed fourteen different countries in North and South America. As expected, we suffered countless delays and mishaps. Many of these are chronicled in our upcoming book and documentary. What no one will hear much about are our horses' hooves. Thanks to Easyboots, there's not much to tell."
Louis Bruhnke Ride Across Americas
What have EasyBoots done?
Nathan & Elly Foote rode from the Straights of Magellan in South America to Alaska. The trek started on January 2nd, 1969 and ended in September of 1973. Nathan and Elly used Easyboots off and on during the 20,000 mile journey.
In 1979, the British Post Office sponsored a 1,906 mile horse race over the entire Pony Express Trail from St. Joe, Missouri., to Sacramento, California. Each contestant/rider was allowed 4 horses and had to ride the entire route. Over 60 miles per day for 31 days. Every contestant who completed this 1,906 mile horse race, used Easyboots before the end.
Louis Brunke with friend, Vladimir, rode from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina to Alaska. Starting in 1988 and ending on September 2, 1993, they covered roughly 18,000 miles and fourteen countries in 5 1/2 years. Easyboots were used as their main source of foot protection during the journey.
The 2001 XP went from St. Joseph, Missouri to Virginia City, Nevada on the original Pony Express trail. A 2,000 mile journey that lasted 8 weeks. Nearly all of the top horses in that event used Easyboots. Most of those horses continued on to have long and successful careers in endurance.
Easyboots have been used on many occasions to complete the 100 Mile Tevis Cup Endurance Race. The Tevis Cup is viewed as the toughest 100 mile horse event in the world. Each year many contestants ride in Easyboots for the entire event. Some of these riders and their results include:
Sandy Brown & Ruby 1998 3rd place and Best Condition 2000 7th place
Garrett Ford 1999 5th place
Godfrey Sullivan 1999 16th place 2000 11th place
Easyboots are also used by many endurance riders to compete in 50, 100 and 250 mile events during their competitive ride seasons. Here is what endurance riders have accomplished using Easyboots:
Dave Rabe 1st Place in the 2005 Easyboot Contest. Dave used 4 Easyboots over shoes on two horses and completed 2,795 miles that way! Dave is the 3rd highest mileage rider in the AERC and has always used Easyboots. He is now competing with Epics and Bares on his barefoot horses.
Karen Chaton 2nd Place in the 2005 Easyboot Contest. Karen completed 2,150 miles on her horse Granite Chief+/ and was the AERC National Mileage Champion for the 2nd year in a row. Chief was also awarded AHA Distance Horse of the Year as well as XP Horse of the Year.
Corry Clinton 3nd Place in the 2005 Easyboot Contest. Corry completed 1,300 miles on her two mares Musk Khelina and Saidah using boots over bare hooves.
Terry Baniser and Ebay 2005 - 650 miles, including two one day 100's
Karen Chaton & Rocky 2006 - Rocky became a Decade horse with more than 7,000 miles, completing several rides barefoot with Easyboot Epics
2003 - 5th featherweight, West region 2002 - 8th featherweight, West region 2001 - 2nd Regional Mileage Winner on Weaver and Rocky with 2,550 miles 2000- 1st Overall West region
1999- 1335 miles, 2nd Overall West region, 6th National Mileage
Karen Chaton & Dream Weaver
2005 - Weaver becomes a Decade horse with more than 6,300 miles 2002 - 4th featherweight, West region
2001 - 9th National Mileage
Calina Nicholson & Rocky
2002 - 1st Junior, Pioneer Award
2002 - 1st Junior, Mountain region
Kayla Ramsdel
2002 - 2nd Junior, National Mileage The only rider to ride all 2,000 miles of the 2001 XP and using Easyboots on all of her horses! 2001 - 1st place West region junior
About the Easyboot
"At the outset, Vladimir and I had practically every misadventure a rider could hope for, but we didn't give a second thought to our horses' hooves. As we anticipated, our trail led us over the worst that nature can offer and our Easyboots weathered it all. Occasionally, because we were traveling in such remote areas, it was hard to receive shipments of new Easyboots and necessity made competent farriers out of Vladimir and me. Still, the Panamanian sun can sap the enjoyment out of most activities, particularly pulling old shoes and putting on new ones. We always breathed a sigh of relief when our next shipment of Easyboots reached us. And beyond the convenience, with the boots on, our horses never got sore feet on coarse gravel and they never slipped on pavement. Riding as much as we did, these were important considerations.
