He is best known for participation at multi-day events such as the XP rides. Dave clears trail, marks trail, competes on the day of the event and will either take down the trail marker ribbons or load up his horses and drive to the next event to start all over again. He does many of the miles on foot, running next to the horse or tailing the horse along the wilderness trails. Dave is also known for his riding attire. Rain, snow, summer or winter, Dave can be seen riding his horse in a pair of jean shorts and a tank top.  It’s his own unique brand.

In 2009 Dave completed 3,080 miles in 56 rides. – and all of them in Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Glue-Ons. The nominations submitted to AERC were prolific but their comments were consistent. Dave can ride just about any horse, especially those that others give up on; he can pick various lost tack and equipment up of the ground without even leaving the saddle; and he will never pass up the opportunity to help another rider out, no matter where he is placing in the event.

Dave has been an Easyboot user since the mid-90’s and has been instrumental in helping EasyCare test and develop various boot designs. What better way to challenge the product than with a rider who consistently racks up between 2,000 and 4,000 miles annually?

When he accepted his award in February at the annual AERC convention in Reno, NV, he said, “I suppose I really like a horse that bucks and runs away with me. That’s why people give me their horses.” He went on to say, “I like to ride point to point because before you know it, you’re crossing state lines.”

Please join EasyCare in congratulating Dave. We think there is no-one more deserving of AERC’s ultimate award.

EasyCare dealer Trelawne Equine at the BETA Tradeshow - February 2010

The first quarter of the year is always a busy one for EasyCare and 2010 has been no different. This is the time the time when we head to the equine trade shows to represent natural hoof care and hoof boots in the equine industry. We’ve been hitting the road pretty hard the past couple of months! We attended AERC in Reno, BETA in the UK, Wheatbelt in Kansas, and we’re all set for the Equine Affaire show in Ohio in April.

We’re also following up on last year’s incredible endurance race success by attending and riding in as many endurance races as possible. That way we can be there in person to provide support to Easyboot users and to show that we stand behind our by using them on our own horses. The future is bright for natural hoof care and hoof boots!

Ets Weal is mainly a mail order business taking orders through their website www.sosabots.com but they recently moved to a large facility that can accommodate customer visits.  Now they have the ability to provide insight to customers and answer their questions both over the phone and in person.  Isabelle says that customers sometimes prefer to come by in person to discuss their needs and look at the boots before they buy.  These helpful visits are by appointment only so be sure to call and schedule an appointment if you want to come in and talk to this friendly staff.  “We are always happy to have the opportunity to talk directly with our customers and to spend as long as necessary helping them with their hoof related problems.  We believe that is why people continue to come back to us time and time again,” says Isabelle.

Ets Weal began selling EasyCare products in 2005 and they currently carry the full EasyCare boot line, however both the Easyboot and Easyboot Bare are special order items.  The Easyboot Epic, Easyboot Rx and Old Mac’s G2 are their best sellers.  Isabelle’s personal favorite is the Old Mac’s G2.  “It’s easy to adjust and put on, and impossible to lose.  The horses feel very secure in them, and can go through mud and water with no problems.  The boots don’t slip and have never caused any chafing,” says Isabelle.

Isabelle feels that the barefoot industry is improving every year, and continues to produce better boots.  She feels that EasyCare products help complete the search for the perfect boot.  Having been in business for 16 years has given them the opportunity to really see changes in the hoof boot world.  They feel that in France especially the change has been more recent.  People have become more aware of the benefits of leaving their horses unshod and they have found that the interest in hoof boots continues to grow rapidly.

Come meet Isabelle and the gang of Ets Weal at the annual Equita Lyon in October., where they will have a stand that provides them with the opportunity to meet hundreds of their faithful customers and new ones too.  They will spend an entire week advising people and listening to their experiences.  “It keeps us in touch with the outside world and gives riders the opportunity to see what we have to offer,” says Isabelle.  They also look forward to attending Equirando this July for the first time.  Thousands of trail riders will gather there – some having ridden their horses nearly 500 miles just to get there.  Isabelle says they will also have a small team of barefoot riders using hoof boots to prove to everyone just how good EasyCare boots are.  “We will be able to demonstrate the different styles and uses and give on the spot advice.  I think it will be a perfect way to spread the word about hoof boots to a largely new market.  Just look for the ‘Ets Weal’ banner!” She says.

Can’t make it to any of the upcoming events?  That’s ok.  Just give Ets Weal a call at 04 74 88 79 03, check out their website at www.sosabots.com or drop Isabelle an email at isabelle.bathias@gmail.com.  They’d be pleased to help you with your booting needs!

Release Date: 2010-02-17

TUCSON, AZ – EasyCare, maker of natural hoof care products, recently launched online training through 3point5.com, delivering free, interactive retail training and deep discounts to scores of retail employees.

As a result, salespeople selling EasyCare products now can take advantage of brand, technology and product training 24/7, wherever they have access to a computer and the internet.

Salespeople earn discounts on the products they sell by passing “Edu-Games” on what they’ve learned. The interactive, entertaining training will be updated regularly to present new products and technologies as they become available.

The new online training will deliver an easily-monitored message with a goal of increasing the quality of conversations on the sales floor, said Garrett Ford, of EasyCare.

“We needed a way to quickly, consistently educate our sales force,” Ford said. “3point5.com has a really impressive track record at engaging salespeople online and their service allows retail managers to effortlessly handle employee purchases, too.”

Retail salespeople who sell EasyCare products access the training for free, and retail managers can easily vet and monitor employee purchases and keep track of which employees are taking advantage of the online training.

3point5.com, a subsidiary of SwarmBuilder Inc., builds online retail training for the Outdoor, Snowsports, Hunt/Fish, Footwear, Bike and Golf industries. The EasyCare training marks the company’s first major foray into equestrian products.

“While we haven’t worked with major companies in the Equestrian market, it was clear to us that EasyCare had something in common with many of our other top brands.” said SwarmBuilder CEO Duncan Robins. “This company is an innovator that’s ahead of the curve in its industry.”

EasyCare was started by Dr. Neel Glass, who invented the EasyBoot in 1971 for a horse that was suffering from navicular disease. Natural hoof care – which derives health benefits from going “barefoot” – is growing in popularity in the equine industry. EasyCare estimates that 80 percent of lameness in horses today is caused or aggravated by shoeing.

About SwarmBuilder, Inc.: SwarmBuilder, Inc., the parent company of 3point5.com, is a leading provider of Word-of-Mouth marketing services; aggregating, validating and engaging armies of Brand Advocates that spread the word about their favorite Brands, Retailers and Member Organizations. SwarmBuilder has connected over 230,000 Brand Advocates including Retail Sales Professionals, Pros, and industry insiders with over almost 200 Brands and thousands of Retail locations. www.SwarmBuilder.com

About EasyCare: What began in 1970 with the invention of the Easyboot has since grown into a full line of hoof boots and natural hoof care products that protect the hoof, allow horses to cover rough terrain, act as a spare tire in case of a lost shoe, and aid in the treatment of laminitis and other hoof problems. EasyCare’s hoof boot brands include the Easyboot, Boa Horse Boot, Old Mac’s and EasySoaker. While our main focus at EasyCare is horse boot design, we proudly make other top quality products for trail riders and recreational horse owners such as Stowaway Saddle Packs, EZ Ride Stirrups, Comfort Pads, hoof boot accessories and natural hoof care products.

Spring Forward In Health
Carlton County Transportation Building
1630 County Road 61,
Carlton, MN
February 16, 2010 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm
To register call North Ridge Veterinary from 8:30 – 5:00 Monday – Friday @ 218-380-8949
Event Flyer (PDF)

North Ridge Veterinary Service, LLC
hosts a free fast-paced educational seminar for adult horse owners

Topics & Speakers:

• Important Minerals – Don’t Leave Your Horse Without Them
  with June Lattimore, Ralco Nutrition Equine Specialist, Marshall, MN
• Green Pasture Management
  with Troy Salzer, Carlton County Extension Agent
• The Three Rights of Strategic Deworming
  with Jeff Baldridge, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health Equine Representative, North Platte, NE
• A Vaccination Primer – AAEP Core Vaccines
  with Trish Jones, MWI Equine Specialist, Orland Park, IL
• Attitude, Performance & Weight Changes – Stay On Guard
  with Dr. Tom Schultz, Roseville, MN, Dr. Hoyt Cheramie, Lexington, KY and Merial Equine Representatives

Plus:

• Live Horse Demo (weather permitting)
• Free Food For Attendees
• Door Prizes (must be registered & present)
• Horse Owner’s Toolbox And More!

Open to the Public – Registration Required – Seating is limited!
To register call North Ridge Veterinary from 8:30 – 5:00 Monday – Friday @ 218-380-8949
More info on the Event Flyer (PDF)

A one day nutrition clinic for horse owners and professionals
The clinic will be taught by Sally Hugg – Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners Practitioner, Mentor & Clinician
Topics covered:

• Basic equine digestion and how it works
• Slow feeding for a healthy digestive system and a happier horse
• Nutrition 101 for horses: protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins
• Using the NRC “Nutrient Requirements of Horses” guidelines
• Understanding hay and the nutrition it provides – it’s not just roughage
• How to test hay or get information about the hay in your area
• Understanding insulin resistance – is your horse at risk?
• Weights, measures, and math – it’s easy!
• Formulating a ration that’s simple and cost effective
• Feeding for hoof health
• How to decipher a feed tag and supplement label
• Smart shopping – getting the best deals for your money

A 10 page handout, including a list of resources, will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring feed and supplement labels from any products they are using. A hay corer and test sample kits are available before the workshop for those who would like to test their hay.

http://www.bare-hooftrim.com/between_the_twines.htm

Lucy admits she was a bit skeptical at first.  It wasn’t until one of her own horses began having trouble that she began down the road of experimenting with keeping her own horses barefoot.  The difference she saw in just 9 months was enough for her.  She was so impressed that she pulled the shoes off her other horse as well and never looked back!  “Hoof boots continue to grow in popularity at an amazing rate each year, but there has been a growing need for a UK knowledge base,” says Lucy.

While the company is still in the early days of business, they are no stranger to hoof boots and the needs of the barefoot horse.  Trelawne currently carries the full line of EasyCare hoof boots, but find that the Easyboot Glove and Old Mac’s G2 are the most popular.  “Gloves are without a doubt one of the most (if not the most) innovative boots out there.  It is certainly my favorite.  It is so lightweight, neat and simple;  just like a horses hoof!” says Lucy.

Trelawne Equine has been selling and advising customers about hoof boots for years and they aim to provide product support and education to help better understanding of the possibilities of barefoot riding and natural horse care. They can even help you find a dealer in your area.  Having the entire EasyCare line in stock allows them to ship product to their UK retailers within 24 hours when necessary.

Do you need help finding a dealer in the UK?  Do you have questions about hoof boots and they benefits they can provide both you and your equine friends?  Contact Trelawne and allow Charlie and Lucy to help you find what works best for you!

Trelawne Equine

0844 257 8585

http://www.trelawneequine.co.uk/

The Rising Costs of Horse Ownership

The economic uncertainty of the world has created tough times for many horse owners. Hay prices sky-rocketed in 2008, along with fuel costs to the point where every trip to the feed store seemed to cost more than the last. Practically every aspect of horse ownership has gone up in price.

Horse owners have become creative at keeping costs down, while still enjoying their horses. Many of these cost saving solutions are simple, such as buying feed and supplies in bulk, repairing tack instead of purchasing new, and generally cutting back on non-essential expenses.

One area where horse owners can consider saving money is in the cost of hoofcare. The cost of a hoof trim is about half the cost of a basic set of shoes, depending on where you live. It may not seem like a lot for one horse, but families with several horses can have a hefty bill with each farrier visit.

A shod horse needs to be re-shod at regular intervals, usually every six to seven weeks. Many owners are tempted to save a few dollars by stretching it out a little further. This causes strain to tendons and ligaments as the hoof becomes increasingly unbalanced. Loose or lost shoes can be a hazard, as well as an inconvenience to the owner. On the other hand, a well cared for barefoot horse should have healthier feet and be less likely to injure itself or other horses in pasture or turnout situations.

Many horses are only ridden occasionally, or in arenas with soft footing. They may not need shoes at all, just good trims on a regular basis. In the past few years many articles have been written about natural hoof care in mainstream horse publications, and as a result many owners are taking a second look at pulling the shoes and giving bare feet a try, even if it’s only during the winter months.

Can it really work?

In 2004 Officer Greg Sokolowski of the Houston Mounted Police Unit received permission to try going barefoot with his chronically lame mount after conventional treatments for navicular disease had failed to return the horse to soundness. With the shoes removed and good trimming the horse was able to return to work. Based on that success the unit decided to transition more of its horses out of shoes. Currently, the Houston Mounted Police Unit maintains approximately 29 of their 37 horses barefoot. According to Sokolowski, the city is saving an estimated $50,000 annually by not shoeing their horses.

A quote from the website states “Many of the horses at Houston Mounted Patrol are now unshod (barefoot). The BareFoot Program initiated by the Unit has been a great success.”

Expectations after shoes

There’s a lot more to going barefoot than just pulling the shoes. You need a knowledgeable hoof care provider to guide you and get your horse off to a good start. Your regular farrier may be all that you need. The trimming method is a little different than what is done to prepare a hoof for shoes. If your farrier sounds reluctant or negative to the idea, ask around for a referral to a good natural hoof care provider. Avoid any major changes — just let your horse get used to his feet touching the ground again. Most horses do fine when the shoes are removed, others may be tender footed for a while.

If the horse is to be ridden on trails, you will need to invest in a pair of hoof boots. Unless the horse has some sort of pathology, there is no reason why you cannot ride your horse the day the shoes come off, provided that you use well fitted hoof boots. In fact, the more movement the horse gets, the faster its feet will adjust. Just use some common sense and listen to the advice of your hoof care provider.

There are many different kinds of hoof boots to choose from, but for horses transitioning out of shoes a good boot is the Easyboot Epic with Comfort Pad inserts. EasyCare has also just released a new boot called the Glove, which has no cables or buckles. It is probably one of the simplest boots to use. A pair of boots should last at least one year, possibly longer depending on where you ride. Over time, you might find that your horse doesn’t need the boots except for very rocky trails.

Want to try going barefoot?

Do some reading and research. A great source of information is Pete Ramey’s website www.hoofrehab.com . Pete has lectured all over the world and authored an excellent book titled “Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You.” His “Under the Horse” DVD set has been approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB RACE) for 20 hours CE Credit for vets and vet techs.

Owners who want to locate a qualified natural hoof care practitioner can visit the Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners website http://pacifichoofcare.org.

A lifelong equestrian, Sally became interested in natural hoof care in 2001. In addition to a running a full time hoof trimming practice, she gives clinics and teaches horse owners how to maintain their horses’ hooves. She is a founding member of Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners. Visit her Web site at www.bare-hooftrim.com

Article courtsey of Ride Magazine.

EasyCare hires Kevin Myers to lead all marketing activities of the organization and to oversee the customer service department. “Kevin is highly skilled in various areas relating to relationship management, team building and strategic planning.” said President and CEO Garrett Ford. “We are very fortunate to add such a passionate and skilled individual to our team. Kevin will play a vital role in managing the marketing and publicity of our brands and accommodating the tremendous growth we are experiencing in the natural horse care industry nationally and internationally.”

Mr. Myers joins EasyCare from Ballet Arizona where he has held the position of Executive Director since 2004. In that time, Ballet Arizona retired its accumulated debt; received a $6.5M bond issue from the City of Phoenix for new rehearsal and administration facilities; built a cash reserve of more than $900,000 and increased earned revenue by more than 20% per year for four years. As the administrative leader of Ballet Arizona, Kevin worked with a staff of 21 people in a complex business model that relies on revenue from ten fundraising, membership and earned revenue streams.

“I am very excited to join Garrett Ford and the EasyCare team.” said Kevin Myers. “I have spent more than 20 years working in the non-profit management sector. Many people don’t know that I have also been actively competing in wilderness endurance horse riding since 1994. EasyCare has unveiled a new equine product line-up that is changing the evolution of natural hoof care in ways we could not have anticipated. I’m very excited by the opportunity to be part of that.”

“EasyCare will also soon be launching a new training platform that will allow the retail network to gain a broader and deeper understanding of the EasyCare products.” said Garrett Ford of the new technology built by 3point5. “Trained retailers will be empowered to give the best guidance and advice to make the customer experience consistently successful.”

What began in 1970 with the invention of the Easyboot has since grown into a full line of hoof boots and natural hoof care products that protect the hoof, allow horses to cover rough terrain, act as a spare tire in case of a lost shoe and aid in the treatment of laminitis and other hoof problems. EasyCare’s hoof boot brands include the Easyboot, Easyboot Glove, Easyboot Glue-On, Boa Horse Boot, Old Mac’s and EasySoaker.

Contact EasyCare Inc. at 1-800-447-8836 or 520-297-1900 or www.easycareinc.com

http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/easycare See also www.3point5.com