easycarenews.com » Monthly Newsletter

February 2011 :: Core Values & Mission, 2010 Hoof Boot Contest Results, 2011 Contest Expansion

EasyCare — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:09:57 +0000

As many as 100 million people are being affected by a colossal snow storm in the United States. What better backdrop for us to pause and reflect? At EasyCare, we’ve been doing a lot of reflection, and using it as a basis to plan 2011. Garrett Ford is the keynote speaker this week at the Functional Hoof Conference in Melbourne, Australia. He joins Professor Robert Bowker, Duncan McLaughlin, and scores of other bare hoof proponents from around the world for five days of presentations and discussions on hoof care in today’s world. Duncan is making a presentation of the findings from his thermographic imaging study of barefoot and shod performance horses. We’ll be publishing the white paper in our March newsletter.

After the conference in Australia, EasyCare representatives will attend BETA (the British Equestrian Trade Association) in Birmingham. If you’re attending, stop by at Stand B7.1 and hook up with people from EasyCare and our partners atTrelawne Equine.

Thank you for participating in our customer service satisfaction survey: the response was overwhelming – both in numbers and in data: 65% of our customers say they are “certain” to remain with EasyCare; 23% are very likely. 64% of our customers rate our service as “excellent”; 25% rate our service as “good”. The data we collected will help us shape our policies and procedures for the current year.

The results are in from the 2010 Hoof Boot Contest and we’ve announced an expanded 2011 Hoof Boot Contest. If you haven’t already signed up to become a member of Team Easyboot, be sure to check out our new team approval platform and submit an application.

Finally, we’d like to tip our hats to California based hoof care practitioner, Maria Siebrand, who is fighting the good fight. We’re with you, Maria!

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January 2011 :: Let’s make 2011 Better, Skill-Drills for Efficient Movement, Team Easyboot 2011 Relaunch

EasyCare — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:14:10 +0000

2010 was a milestone year for horse boots. We made the decision to focus on wilderness long-distance endurance events to showcase the durability of our products. The results were astonishing: endurance riders racked up more than 41,000 miles at events sanctioned by AERC – more than double the miles of the prior year. More people than ever are using horse hoof boots, and discovering the financial, physical and physiological benefits of alternative hoof protection.

What better momentum to build on for 2011? Team Easyboot is being re-launched and will allow a broad representation of boot users to train and purchase products at a reduced rate on-line in return for representing EasyCare in the field as ambassadors. If you’re a former Team Easyboot member, watch your email for exciting news.

The recent changes in leg protection rules at NATRC and ECTRA sanctioned events mean that the $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest will now have a competitive trail category in addition to the existing endurance category.

The long-awaited wide version of the Easyboot Glove, known as the Easyboot Glove W, will hit the trails in early summer.

Our focus in 2011 will be on trail riders. So if you’re a boot user representing a backcountry horsemen’s association, or if you’re a rider who just likes to get out every week and explore new trails with your horse, please consider applying to be part of Team Easyboot 2011. We think you’ll be glad you did.

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December 2010 :: Riding From Coast to Coast, Good Muscular Health, Opportunities Abound

EasyCare — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:46:03 +0000

As the sun begins to set on 2010, you are probably reflecting on your accomplishments for the year. We’re celebrating your accomplishments too.

Whether you’re a voting member of NATRC who passed the new rule on allowing gaitered boots at events; a trail rider who discovered the joys of Old Mac’s G2 boots; the 2010 AERC National Mileage Award recipient; one of the contributing AERC members who rode more than 45,000 miles in Easyboots; a three-day eventer who is competing in Easyboot Glue-Ons; a rider who faithfully uses the Original Easyboot as a spare tire; or a newly certified barefoot hoof care practitioner; we salute each and every one of you. Thank you for staying connected with EasyCare; for sharing your stories; and for helping us constantly improve the quality of our products. Without you, there is nothing.

In the December newsletter, Garrett Ford presents a thumbnail analysis of cost savings in hoof care; Duncan McLaughlin discusses an equine body scoring model and reviews the benefits of analysing any biomechanical issues in your horse; and Jeannette McGrath checks in with us, some 1,800 miles into a cross-country benefit ride EasyCare is supporting.

Please continue to stay connected with us. The booted world is changing quickly and 2011 will be a particularly interesting year in technological advancements that will make your boot choices more successful. Above all else, we always want to hear from you. So whether you comment on our Facebook page, comment on our blog or send us an email from time to time; be sure to keep in touch!

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November 2010 :: Easyboot Fatboy, Nutrition and Coat Color, Winter Horse Care Tips

EasyCare — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:02:04 +0000

October was another successful month for booted riders, with growing representation at various events across the land and an increase in the number of top ten finishers using Easyboots. Are you a booted back country rider? If so, we’d like to hear from you about your experiences with boots and about the type of boots you like to ride in.

The November EasyCare newsletter contains some exciting news that many of you have been waiting to hear on the subject of a wider Easyboot Glove model for 2011.

We also have fascinating articles from guest writers. Carol Layton discusses the role of diet and nutrition in maintaining coat color and quality. Jason McClure summarizes a recent case study on the role of natural hoof care in the shape of the equine muscular and skeletal system. And November’s Dealer of the Month features a former Baywatch television show actor turned hoof care practitioner.

Congratulations to Cherie Cornmesser of Cannonsburg, PA, who won an EasyCare Gear Bag full of product for her story on Minion. Remember to Check the ‘We Love Our Fans’ tab on the Easyboot Facebook page for the current monthly contest – the November contest winner will receive a complimentary pair of EasyCare hoof boots of their choice.

If you’re celebrating the onset of the winter weather, we’ve just launched a new line of removable studs that can be used in conjunction with our boots.

And if you’re heading to Equine Affaire in Massachusetts or to Equitana in Melbourne Australia, look out for EasyCare staff members at the booths.

Above all else, we always want to hear from you. So whether you comment on our Facebook page, comment on our blog or send us an email from time to time; please keep in touch!

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October 2010 :: Easyboots at WEG, The Tender-Footed Horse, Epic Tips

EasyCare — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:10:14 +0000

Do you use Easyboot Epics? What about the Original Easyboot, the Old Mac’s G2 or the Boa Horse Boot? If you do, we’d like to hear from you because we’re creating user profiles for our 2011 EasyCare catalog. If you’d like to be considered for the catalog, please email marketing@easycareinc.com for details.Did you see the Horse’s Hoof Magazine’s 10th Anniversary edition? The cover story is written by Garrett Ford and there are articles by Dr. Robert Bowker, Pete Ramey and a retrospective of the last ten years of the barefoot hoof. It’s definitely worth a read.

Christoph Schork set a new world record in September for the number of endurance wins. With an astounding 200 wins, Christoph will probably never be caught. And 25% of those wins were in Easyboots. Did you know 7 of the top 10 horses at the Sonoita 100 mile race were in Easyboots? And of the 11+ horses at the event in Easyboot Glue-Ons, there was not one boot loss?

Have you been wondering what happened to Team Easyboot? We have good news: Team Easyboot will be re-launched on October 18, 2010. Membership qualification will be based on a new on-line product training platform. Once qualified, Team Easyboot members will have on-line access to discounted EasyCare products, regular team contests for free prizes, and the opportunity to be considered for a monthly blog on our new blogging platform. Check the EasyCare Blog on October 18 for the whole scoop.

Duncan McLaughlin’s US field testing for the thermographic imaging project was a success. Duncan is continuing his field testing in Australia during the next month or so and then will begin to compile and analyze the results.We’ll keep you updated as the various chapters of his white paper are published.

There is still time to win a gear bag full of EasyCare product. Simply go to the Easyboot Facebook Page and click on the ‘We Love Our Fans’ tab at the top for details. The contest closes on October 15, 2010.

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September 2010 :: New Products for 2011, Barefoot vs Shod Thermography, Walt Disney World

EasyCare — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:03:59 +0000

We’ve been riding the wave of success in August as a result of the Haggin Cup win by Garrett and The Fury. Look for a great cover photo of them both on the September edition of Endurance News. We were also lucky enough to be invited to write the cover story for the tenth anniversary edition of The Horse’s Hoof . Garrett wrote an insightful article that you won’t want to miss on the evolution of the barefoot/booted community.

Read Garrett’s post on a portable fencing system we are thinking about working with. We’re also refining the design of a new, lightweight interference boot that will be durable enough to withstand a beating and light enough to keep the lower leg temperature cool thanks to a unique airflow system. And we’ve started testing a new design for a saddle that will be lightweight and flexible. We had our first ride with it last week and we think the design is going to be a winner. These products are still a long way from being ready for market, but look for their release in about 12 months.

We spent a couple of days at the Triple Circle D Ranch at Walt Disney World in August working the fine people there who manage the equine program. Read Kevin’s report in this newsletter.

Our big focus for the month of September is the thermographic study we are undertaking with Duncan McLaughlin. When you read this newsletter, we will be at a five-day endurance event in Bryce Canyon undertaking a detailed study of the effects of work in shod and unshod horses. See Duncan’s article for some insight on the protocols for our study. We’ll be publishing the results by the end of the year in a white paper.

If you missed our EasyCare Webinars, you can still watch the recordings here. There were some fantastic questions from the virtual audience.

Finally, look for the re-launching this Fall of the highly successful Team Easyboot program. Once qualified, Team Easyboot members will be able to order product at a discount via a sophisticated on-line product information and distribution platform.

Do you have a story? If so, submit it to us and we’ll blog it! The EasyCare Blog has a wide variety of daily posts for riders, dealers and hoof care practitioners alike, so check back daily to see posts from guests and staff bloggers.

Stay in touch with us through Facebook: keep us updated on your booting experiences this month.

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August 2010 :: Making History, Booted Horse Wins the Haggin Cup

EasyCare — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:48:31 +0000

July was a month that made our heads spin.

If you’ve ever doubted the potential in barefoot or booted horse care, or if you’ve ever questioned the integrity of the EasyCare product line; read on.

EasyCare booted horses were center stage at two of the most prestigious endurance events in the US and the boots won outstanding critical acclaim. Booted horses finished at the front and at the back of the pack at both events.

The Big Horn 100 provided the venue for the Best Conditioned horse, ridden by New York State resident, Libby Llop on Fly. Libby came across Easyboot Glue-Ons almost by accident when her mare pulled a metal shoe before the 17 mile vet check at the Old Dominion 100 in June. We glued a set of boots on at the vet check and the vets pronounced her “good to go”. Libby and Fly went on to complete Old Dominion in boots and then the pair literally flew through the 100 at Big Horn, completing in second place and winning the Best Condition award. First place went to Andy Bown and Tucker, also in Easyboot Glue-Ons.

The 2010 Tevis Cup was a ride that will forever change the standing and reputation of booted and barefoot horses. Of the 34 horses who competed within the Ride Tevis for Free Contest , 20 would cross the finish line at the Auburn Fairgrounds. A staggering 30% of the top 20 horses were in EasyCare boots.

The crowning moment was when Garrett Ford and The Fury received the ultimate award: The Haggin Cup. This is the first time in the 54 years of the race that a barefoot/booted horse has won the cup. It was a red-letter day for horse boots. Last place finishers Kathy Sherman and Kathie Ford were also riding horses in Easyboot Glue-Ons.

Stay in touch with us through Facebook: please keep us updated on your booting experiences this month.

We launch the first trilogy of free EasyCare Webinars this month via our Facebook Page. This is your chance to connect in real time with Duncan McLaughlin and Garrett Ford.

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July 2010 :: Soft Country Feet, The Secret to Hoof Growth, It’s Tevis Time

EasyCare — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:29:35 +0000

In this issue

From Garrett's Desk
Duncan McLaughlin: Posture & Performance
EasyCare Event Attendance: Boot Fitting, Advice and Gluing
Customer Photo of the Month
Dealer of the Month
Ride Tevis for Free!

June 2010 :: Posture & Performance, Ride Tevis for Free, EasyCare Event Attendance

EasyCare — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:36:19 +0000

In this issue

From Garrett's Desk
Duncan McLaughlin: Posture & Performance
EasyCare Event Attendance: Boot Fitting, Advice and Gluing
Customer Photo of the Month
Dealer of the Month
Ride Tevis for Free!

May 2010 :: Passive Stretching for Performance, New EasyCare Team Member, Did You Know?

EasyCare — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:12:38 +0000

In this issue

From Garrett's Desk
Duncan McLaughlin: Passive Stretch to Performance
Heather & Jeremy Reynolds on Git R Done
Customer Photo of the Month
Dealer of the Month
Did You Know?
Dee Hoime Joins the EasyCare Team