Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Boots Rubbing

If you even experience boot rubbing on the Epics or any Easycare product, put duct tape over the area on the boot. I actually like to put about 3 layers of duct tape. For example, some folks get rubbing on the front of the hoof by the dog bone connector. Cover that area with duct tape inside the boot. That should help!

2 comments:

Carla said...

Hi Tracy
I am new to LD trail/endurance and want to keep my horse barefoot. I haven't noticed any hoof boots on the Tevis ride. Is this ride too tuff for boots?

Not that I could do this ride any time soon, but just curious. I've heard there is too much rubbing from the boot to wear on Tevis.

Thanks, Carla

Tracy Browne said...

Most folks use just the regular Easyboots. A high percentage of folks use the Easyboots over their steel shoes to protect them from rocks in Granite Chief Wilderness. Some foam on the boots over bare hooves, like my friend Stuart Porter did a couple of years ago on his two horses that finished. Last year, there were a couple of folks that used the Epics on all 4 hooves, but I never got their names.

This year, I have heard there will be at least 4 horses going in the Renegade hoof boots. They are a new boot to the hoof boot market, making their Tevis debut this year. This boot typically does not rub.

If I were to ride Tevis, which I am aiming for next year, I would use regular Easyboots and foam them on. I am also shooting for Virgina City 100 this year and will foam there too. That works great for my horse. If I loose a foamed on boot, I would pop on an Epic and not think twice about it.

The Epics have been consistently used in many other 100 mile rides, contact Karen Chaton at Easycare for the names of riders that have used them so that you can speak with them directly about their experiences.

Also, Easycare released their 2008 model of the Gaiter, with no stitching on the inside, so it decreases the chance of rubbing significantly.

If you are training for Tevis, you will have completed a bunch of 50s, so you will know what would work for your horse specifically, and what doesn't.