Just bought EasyBoot Edge Boots for my pony UPDATE: Now trying the EPICS

I don’t have an explanation for the sizing problem. It sounds like the Epics fit–they should be a bit hard to get on. I don’t use the straps, either.

Look at the instructions for the cable positions, because you can hook it on the prongs or have it just go between, depending on how tight you need it. It’s best to have the cable tight enough that you need to step on it to close it. Otherwise it might pop open during a ride. I know that is a pain, but if you can close the clip with your hands, the cable is too loose.

I keep a nice hoof pick, a solid metal one, to pop the clips open. I attach one on my saddle when I ride in case I need to remove a boot. I also use the hoof pick to move the wire around, since they are hard on fingers. I put the boot on, then hook the cable on the prongs (depending on the horse, I might only have to hook one side of the cable over), position it in the clip, and step on it to close.

It’s really not as hard as it sounds, once you get the hang of it. I can install and remove boots pretty quickly these days. Had to leave myself plenty of extra time in the beginning (and make sure no children were around to hear the cussing).

Matry made a great point about the cables. ALWAYS use a hoof pick to grab the cable, and hook it where you want it. If you have hold of the cable around your finger, and the horse jerks his foot away suddenly, you can have your skin peeled off. Ask me how I know that. :sigh:

Be careful when taking boots off and on. You’re bent down and over in a vulnerable position, concentrating on the boot, usually struggling a bit, and the horse can really send you flying if something happens.

I was at a trail ride, mare tied up to the trailer eating from her hay bag. Same old routine we’ve done hundreds of times before. I was tightening the worm clamp on her Edge boot when all of a sudden, she was climbing up the side of the trailer, dumped her water bucket over, and was stepping all inside my gear bag. She was struggling really hard and all I was aware of was just trying to get out from under her feet.

She had hooked the noseband of her halter over the bracket that holds the back trailer door. :dead:

Just be careful of how you crouch down when doing up boots and just be aware of what the horse is doing. They can spook and step on your hand so easily.

i have a set of the regular Easyboots, and they are the same as the Epic when Closing them. I have a problem being that if i put the cable on the middle notch, i can close it with my hand. but if i put it on the very last one, i have to step on it. BUT this last time it took me like 15 tries to step on the darn thing. my poor horse started to think i wanted him to bend his knee, b/c of the pressure of me standing on the clamp trying to shut it. i finally got it closed. i wish i could slightly shorten the cable and use the middle notch, but this particular boot is one of the very first post 2005 boots and it had rivets to hold the clamp on. i do not have a rivet gun and so i cannot even switch out the cable without sending the boot to the company. Right now i need the boots for him in the pasture.

Nezzy, Did you say you need boots for them in the pasture? Do you mean turn out?
(I was considering this, but thought only the RX could be used in the pasture.
My guys are field 24/7 boarded and I’d love to find a boot for TB that would last in the pasture without requiring too much maintenance. They are retired and I am hours away so it can’t be something needing daily care)

Chall, the boots can be used for turnout as long as you take them off daily, dry them out, and give the hoof time to dry out as well. They retain moisture, which creates an ideal environment for thrush. Also, check for rubs, remove debris, etc.

Many who use boots for turnout sprinkle Gold Bond medicated powder, or any other anti-fungal powder in the boot before installing. This is a good idea, whether you are using one designed for 24-hour use or not.

I read once about using like a 1" diameter pvc pipe piece or metal pipe piece to put over the latch and use it as a lever to bring it up and down on the Easyboot. I guess you’d have to hold the leg up to do this.

Can I pipe up with my own, similar question?

I ordered the 0 Glove fit kit for my mule and received it yesterday. The 0.5 looks (emphasis on LOOKS) like a perfect fit - widening of the V, flush with the hoof wall all around - but doesn’t feel at all hard to put on and take off. It stays on of it’s own accord for a step or two, but the company recommends buying a boot that looks like it would be secure even without glue or a gaiter (though of course they don’t expect that it actually WILL be). The 0 and the 00.5 were both much, much too small.

I am not crazy about the no-hardware thing, and am tempted to go buy size 0 Epics to try. Would that be the right next step, or should I assume (because they’re just a hair bigger than the 0.5 Glove) that they would be too roomy? Should I assume that with a gaiter the Glove size I tried actually WOULD fit?

Thanks in advance for any advice! My local feedstore has two 0 Epics begging for a home and at price that’s lower than Easycare, Inc. so I thought I might buy them today while I still have the Glove fit kit for comparison’s sake. I’ll check back for advice before I go to the store!

OP, sorry for horning in. I hope you can find the boots that work for you. I do recommend trying the fit kit if you’re interested in Gloves - the importance of the tiny difference between the sizes really is amazing!

This is why I much prefer the Edge to the Epics or Bares.

I do like the Epics, but so many times, I’d get 4 miles into a ride and have the clamps flipped up already. I used the cotter pins numerous times, only to hear the clamps flopping halfway through a ride, bend down and look, cotter pins are gone, clamps are flipped up anyway. Even so, I never lost a boot or had any problems at all, it was just an annoying noise.

With the Edge, there are just no worries at all.

Didgery - I have no experience with the Gloves at all. I keep meaning to, but I ride so hard, the thought of no hardware to secure the boot kind of freaks me out.

[QUOTE=Chall;4381434]
Nezzy, Did you say you need boots for them in the pasture? Do you mean turn out?
(I was considering this, but thought only the RX could be used in the pasture.
My guys are field 24/7 boarded and I’d love to find a boot for TB that would last in the pasture without requiring too much maintenance. They are retired and I am hours away so it can’t be something needing daily care)[/QUOTE]

i do use them for turnout with the 12mm insoles. It is the only comfort my horse was getting b/c his wall had crumbled. BUT you do need to remove them every day and alternate days. i have a couple friends who will remove them for me if i cannot get to the barn, but if you cannot be there very often, i would not do it. my guy got a case of thrush and the moisture did not help.
As of today the farrier was there and said that his hoof wall has grown a little bit and he is looking better. i will not need to use the boots as often in the pasture. i did put a ton of althlete’s foot powder in them when i used them.

I just heard today about people getting pressure marks from the Edge style closure. I guess you have to be careful not to tighten it too far.

[QUOTE=matryoshka;4383949]
I just heard today about people getting pressure marks from the Edge style closure. I guess you have to be careful not to tighten it too far.[/QUOTE]

i guess i can see how that could happen. i try not to over-tighten them, but it’s a fine line. you want them tight enough to stay on but not TOO tight.