Ah, forging might explain it.
[QUOTE=jazzrider;4424074]
I took a closer look at the damage yesterday after really cleaning them up (they have to be cleaned to be returned). The rip is actually about 1/4 inch above the point of the toe, rather than on the bend. 
Eddy’s Mom – I had to order a new one this week because he needs one for this weekend (I’m still going to return the damaged one through their process). I hope it’s one of the newer ones with the more reinforced toe! Wish I had checked in here before I did the order. Shoot.
I actually think it may be more an issue of him forging than dragging his toe – if that’s the issue. But I still think it’s too soon to see wear and tear from that – since it’s not a huge issue for him.
I’ll keep you posted on their customer service. I only found my receipt last night – so I’m going to call when I get home from work today. I’m not ready to give up on the boot yet – since we both liked them so much. Hopefully customer service won’t change that for me![/QUOTE]
Yup, forging will do it. My girlfriend’s gelding went through a toe in about 15 miles a few weeks ago. He forges every step for no known reason. We glue on for endurance rides and by the first vet check he’ll have a hole worn in the boot, never comes off though!
The new Glove should be the reinforced toe. I hope that helps you!
Hugh Thumbs Up for Easycare’s Customer Service!
Well, Easycare’s customer service was just super. Really very nice and helpful. The old boot is going in the mail today and they’re shipping me a new boot, one with the reinforced toe.
I’ve also got one coming from Valley Vet (two day delivery) because I need it for this weekend. I forgot to ask them how I could tell if the boot from Valley Vet is the old version, or the new version. Since they had a stock of over 100, I’m guessing it’s the old version. :no: But I suppose, if it is from him forging at the running walk, that I’m going to need a back up anyway.
Jazz
Pls keep us posted on how it is going. My boy is about to “get booted” as he is barefoot now. I have been reading (and reading and reading) the website. I am probably going to order the “fit kit” and I am lucky my trainer is going to help me with the fitting. My farrier does not know much about the boots but is amicable about my using them and measured my guy’s feet this morning after his trim.
We rode yesterday at Gettysburg through the rocks and mud of Little and Big Round top, and the boots held up fine (I rode with a new one from Valley Vet). We rode with other folks with assorted brands of boots – I’ll have to say I like how simple and small the Gloves are compared to the other boots. I’m really hoping the reinforced toe will solve the issue for us with his back right (forging). We’ll probably get the replacement boot from Easycare in a week or two.
I didn’t order the fit kit back when I ordered them, only because both feet (I have shoes on the front, boots on the back) were not borderline on their size chart. His back left was clearly a 1, and his back right a 1.5.
We’re hoping they’ll offer larger sizes eventually, because hubby’s horse could use them too.
You can sort of see the boots in this pic, taken yesterday…
[QUOTE=matryoshka;4422307]
Also, I’m wondering if the material is a bit too soft for the job–softness is good to promote fit, but bad when you put it between a hard surface (hoof), and an abrasive surface (the ground).[/QUOTE]
Well possibly, but they held up pretty dang well at Tevis this year :
http://easycarenews.com/08-19-2009/press-releases/hoof-boot-success-at-the-2009-tevis-cup/
We have lots of endurance clients doing 50’s and even 100’s in them. I will ask DH and see what the most recent feedback about the Gloves is from these clients .
The customer sevice is great and Garrett Ford ( the owner ) is a person of integrity.He is always trying to improve his products and tests them himself on his personal endurance horses. He rides in AZ and CO so the boots are used on abrasive terrain. And he goes fast !
Ok, I spoke to DH last night about the Gloves and how his clients like them. He said they would not use anything else, they love them which is pretty much what i already thought as i haven’t heard him complaining about them and he spends lots of money every month buying them. But , the horse MUST have the proper trim and fit or there will be problems. And yes , for the OP, you have another issue to address with the forgeing problem.Regardless of what material you have on the hoof, this could cause it to come off.
Terrific Thread! Thanks to all who have shared about the Easy Boot Gloves. My gelding is a shoe puller 
I have spend approximately $600 this year on shoes for him :eek: Three weeks ago he pulled his shoe (always the front right one) the day before we left for a trail ride. They had been on for 5 weeks which is almost a record for him. I had to chase down a farrier and haul 80 miles round trip to get him shod. :no:
I told him “these are your last shoes dude.” We are going to Easy Boot Gloves - heck, they have to be cheaper than what I am doing now! He has had his current shoes on for 24 days and they seem to be on snug even after trail riding Saturday and Sunday.
Alfalfa Girl, I wish you luck. Keep in mind that if your horse is pulling shoes because he grabs them with the toe of his hind foot, he may grab and pull off the boots as well. Your farrier/trimmer needs to make sure his toes are the correct length so the heel lifts early enough that the hind toe won’t catch the heel. Some horses are short backed and will do this regardless–then you have to get creative. Also, allowing your horse to go on the forehand will retard breakover, as can poor saddle fit.
Hopefully you will look into the reasons why your horse pulls his shoes. If you already have, then with luck, the boots will work fine.
AZ Native, I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Gloves. Some clients love them, some don’t. One client is having trouble with the bolt and washer pulling through the boot, even with the improved, wider washer.
I haven’t tried them so I can’t say from personal experience. I guess I’m not used to as many boot failures as have been reported–Easycare may have a few kinks to work out of the design yet. My mare is going just fine in plain old Easyboots, and I don’t see a reason to switch to Gloves until these need to be replaced.
It sounds like Easycare has been very responsive to rider feedback. The Gloves will only get better.
Interesting. I’d for sure keep talking to the reps about the issues. DH just hasn’t had any so far, even with a bunch of horses in them. I have a pair and should give them a try myself. I haven’t needed them so haven’t bothered yet.
Just wanted to put in a shout for renegades. Absolutely LOVE them. Never had the urge to go barefoot, or thought it was feasible until I starting using them. Easy to take on and off, yet I’ve not lost one.
Doing a 50 in them (first one I’ve done in renegades) November 7th…
Anyway - just wanted to let anyone else who was reading this thread know about another option.
Guess I’ll add that I got the replacement boot with the reinforced toe from Easycare. What great customer service! :yes: We keep getting rain on the weekends, so haven’t done a lot of riding in it yet. I’ll report back over the next few months if there are any issues. The boot I bought from Valley Vet as a quick replacement, without the reinforced toe, stood up fine for our last few rides.
Happy trails!
