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.

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

Each year our contest grows in popularity, and this year we had 63 riders logging an incredible 21,301 miles using Easyboots over bare hooves!  That’s over 4,500 miles more than last year!  Top ten riders are being awarded a total of $10,000 in cash, and seven riders also qualified for bonus mileage payouts throughout the 2009 season.  A total of $5,100 was given out in bonus cash.

1st Place - Carla Richardson

2nd Place - Terri Tinkham

3rd Place - Christoph Schork

1. Carla Richardson 1,560 miles $3000
2. Terri Tinkham 1,525 miles $2000
3. Christoph Schork 1,330 miles $1000
4. Natalie Herman 1,115 miles $850
5. Dian Woodward 845 miles $750
6. Kadee Felton 823 miles $650
7. Kerry Greear 810 miles $550
8. Carol Layton 721 miles $400
9. Joyce Stoffey 660 miles $400
10. Laurie Birch 530 miles $400

It was a neck in neck competition for first place but Carla Richardson and her horse SS Kharady Khid are the winners this year!  They beat out last years first place winner Terri Tinkham and horse Oliver Twist by just 35 miles!  Carla and SS Kharady Khid logged 1,560 miles this year.  What a team!  Way to go!

The 2009 contest may have come to an end but the 2010 contest has just begun.  EasyCare will award a total of $10,000 to the riders who complete the most American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) or Australian Endurance Rider Association (AERA) miles during the 2010 AERC ride season (Dec. 1, 2009-Nov. 30, 2010) using two or four EasyCare hoof boots over bare hooves.  Throughout the year special promotions and discounts will be made available to those participating in the EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest.  Riders will also be elegible for bonus cash after completion of 300 miles (482km) and 400 miles has been reached.  So get out there and ride, ride, ride!  Click here for contest information and entry forms.

For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, or e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com

The Tevis Cup is a 100-mile endurance race that takes horse and rider through some of the most breathtaking and rugged terrain on the planet. The course starts before dawn at Robie Flats, high in the mountains above Lake Tahoe, and finishes 100 long miles away in Auburn, CA. The fastest riders finish around the 17 hour mark, with riders coming in throughout the night and well into the morning hours.

Because the race is so hard, and because the vet checks set up at regular intervals along the race course are so strict in ensuring the horses' health and well-being, the average completion rate for Tevis over its 50+ year history is around 54%. Yes, that means that only about half of the riders that enter actually end up finishing the race. Most are pulled at a vet check because their horse doesn't meet the many stringent requirements for heart rate, soundness, gait, etc. Others simply can't complete the grueling course before the 24-hour cutoff time expires.

Of the 19 horses that were fitted with EasyCare Glue-On boots, 14 finished the race, including two top 10 finishes: Tennessee Mahoney and Salty came in 6th, and Megan Doyle and Kanga Roo finished 8th. Garrett and several members of his riding group finished around 30th place. Complete ride results can be found here. The finish rate for booted horses was 73%, well above the 54% average, showing once again that hoof boots have earned their rightful place in the endurance riding world and are here to stay.

Bob Walz, inventor of EZ-Ride Stirrups, at Tevis.

EasyCare’s president, Garrett Ford, will be on hand to help competitors fit, adjust and glue hoof boots on before the world famous 100-mile Tevis Cup Ride. Mr. Ford will arrive July 30th at Robie Park, and is taking appointments now for those who would like his help to ensure that their hoof boots are properly applied before the event. The ride starts on August 1.

The Tevis Cup is the most famous of all endurance rides, and challenges even the best of riders. Numerous competitors will be riding in Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Glue-Ons over bare hooves including the 2007 winner, Jeremy Reynolds. While many riders have successfully competed at Tevis in hoof boots, EasyCare believes this will be the largest field of booted horses ever.

To make an appointment for your horse, please email admin@easycareinc.com

Additional information about the Tevis 100 mile ride can be found here.

Dr. Taylor is recording and studying the results of natural hoof care on chronic laminitis cases. Hoof care practitioner Pete Ramey is currently traveling to Auburn every three weeks to expand the preliminary study- hopefully to include 50 horses. The study has consistently shown rotation reversal, increased sole thickness and profound improvement in levels of soundness. Several case horses have also demonstrated reversal of distal descent of P3. The goal is to publish this data as a scientific paper; it would be the first time a successful method of reversing chronic laminitis has been published. If you have a laminitic horse you would like to add to the study (and can haul to the University) please contact Dr. Taylor at the vet school. Boarding is available at nearby farms.

Dr. Taylor has begun additional studies to prove out the clinical relevance of the research findings of Robert Bowker VMD, PhD. This summer she will use ultrasonography, cadaver dissection, histology, radiography, MRI and CT to establish parameters for evaluating lateral cartilage and digital cushion development. This preliminary cadaver study will pave the way for a planned study to track the caudal foot development in live horses over time using radiography, ultrasonography, MRI and/or CT. Currently, there are a limited number of veterinarians in the field that recognize the significance of internal foot development, and its ramifications to the horse’s longevity and soundness. Experts in the field of hoof imaging, rarely address the anatomy, structure or health of the lateral cartilages, the digital cushion or heel depth when interpreting MRI results on horses with heel pain- in other words, half of the total volume of the foot is rarely taken into consideration. This study linking Bowker’s cadaver studies to MRI, ultrasound and radiographic parameters should become critical to the future of lameness treatment and prevention.

Click here to see radiographs of two of the cases from a study.

EasyCare has released a new boot accessory that puts more power (and fun) into the Easyboot Gloves and Glue-On boots. The new easy-to-install Power Strap comes in ten colors and is designed to give the boot more stability in extreme riding conditions. Horses whose feet don’t fit perfectly into the Easyboot Gloves or Glue-Ons will also benefit.

Because the Power Strap comes in a variety of colors, horse owners can mark boots for individual horses, find the boots easier if a horse loses one, and match their tack.

The power strap is designed to add rigidity and tighten the boot at the top. They help boots on slightly irregular feet, or those that show slight gaps at the top (but the boots fit well otherwise) fit the hooves better. The power strap also helps keep debris out of the Easyboot Glove.

Power Straps are available through EasyCare and their dealers. If you would like to find out if the Easyboot Glove or Glue-On is right for your horse or find a dealer near you, please visit the EasyCare website at www.easycareinc.com. Fit Kits are also available that will help you determine the correct size Glove or Glue-On boot.

Tucson, Arizona April, 2009 The long awaited Easyboot Edge hoof boot is now available. This boot is great for the weekend warrior as well as the long distance rider who wants protection over their horse’s bare feet.

Trail riders will appreciate the worm clamp fastening system which makes this boot easy to apply, and an aggressive tread that grips slick terrain. The gaiter is designed for a seamless fit while the smooth interior hugs the hoof. The tread will last 500-750 miles on average and they’ll outlast shoes 3 to 1!

The Easyboot Edge opens wide enough for the foot to easily slip in and adjustments can be made using the new “Easy Key” that comes with the boot. A screwdriver or penny can also be used. The padded tongue ensures the boots are not over tightened and all hard portions of the boot are below the hairline.

The Easyboot Edge is sold in pairs. EasyCare has also released three other boots this year–the Easyboot Glove, the Easyboot Glue-On and the Easyboot Rx therapy boot. Call EasyCare for a dealer near you: 800-447-8836.
Visit our From the Horse’s Mouth blog for up the latest updates on our new line of hoof boots and the latest research and development.

About EasyCare, Inc.

EasyCare, Inc. has been a leader in the hoof boot industry for years, beginning with the invention of the Easyboot back in the early 70’s. Since then, the need for boots has grown tremendously as more and more horse owners see the healthy advantages of pulling shoes and switching to natural hoof care. EasyCare is excited about being part of this growing trend.

For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com or visit our website at www.easycareinc.com.

If you know of an event that would benefit those interested in keeping their horses barefoot, please email marketing@easycareinc.com. EasyCare wants to know about hoof clinics, trade show events, nutrition and hoof care seminars (no matter how big or small), trimming clinics and veterinary talks. The event will be posted to our website and in our hoof news blog.

The additional event page ads to an already fairly comprehensive site on hoof care and booting. Consumers can find a retail dealer or hoof care practitioner, educate themselves about keeping horses barefoot and find a riding or therapy boot that is right for them.

About EasyCare, Inc.
EasyCare, Inc. has been a leader in the hoof boot industry for years, beginning with the invention of the Easyboot back in the early 70’s. Since then, the need for boots has grown tremendously as more and more horse owners see the healthy advantages of pulling shoes and switching to natural hoof care. EasyCare is excited about being part of this growing trend. For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com or visit our website at www.easycareinc.com.

Tucson, Arizona February 1, 2009

EasyCare, Inc. has developed a new rehabilitation boot and padding system that will be available to the public in February. The Easyboot Rx is just the prescription for horses requiring a therapy boot that offers stability and support without being heavy or clunky. It provides support and relief for horses suffering from chronic lameness, laminitis, founder, navicular and other lower limb/hoof problems. The Rx is also an excellent choice for those horses that simply have difficulty standing on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. The boot can be used to speed recovery and offer protection after surgery or injury, lessen fatigue and add protection during trailering as well as offer a safeguard in the breeding shed.

The sole of the Easyboot Rx is a combination of durable and soft material, much like that used in human orthotics, in a light weight package. All seams and edges of the upper are rounded for safety. Three air vents provide air circulation keeping the hoof cool while preventing the accumulation of dirt and debris. Each boot is fitted with an EasyCare Comfort Pad to provide immediate relief and additional sole support.

Application is quick and easy. The unique upper of the Easyboot Rx folds down and opens large enough to accommodate the wide base of a hoof, allowing for quick application without strength or force.

The Easyboot Rx is not intended for riding but can be used for light turn out. It is sold individually. A variety of pad choices are also available for specific needs.

Visit our From the Horse’s Mouth blog for up to the minute updates on our new line of hoof boots.

About EasyCare, Inc. EasyCare, Inc. has been a leader in the hoof boot industry for years, beginning with the invention of the Easyboot back in the early 70’s. Since then, the need for boots has grown tremendously as more and more horse owners see the healthy advantages of pulling shoes and switching to natural hoof care. EasyCare is excited about being part of this growing trend.

For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, or e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com