| Archive for It's About The Horse The Free Forum for those Doing Parelli - and a whole lot More! "Anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful." Xenophon (430-355 B.C.), |
| bit |
new, non rub gators on glovesJust got Gunner some new gloves, and the gators are pretty darn nice. Kelsey said they were the new non rubbing ones. You can order just the gators for 20, and I think I will get some for Eclipse's boots. She does rub a bit if they aren't on very, very tight. Also the trick for not rubbing, according to Kelsey, make em tight. Gunner seems to be transitioning pretty well to barefoot in our pasture, but I think he'd be pretty sore if I took him out without his boots. Also got the thin line pads, which (according the Kelsey) last longer, don't break down, and offer a lot more cush. Wish I could figure out what kind of material it was and I'd order a sheet of it and just cut out my horsey pads. 10 bucks a pair and they don't last forever. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
I would seriously reconsider the "make them tight" recommendation. Think about all the veins, arteries and nerves that are bundled throughout the lower limb. Also think of all the friction that the SDFT, the DDFT, the Extensor tendons and the Suspensory need to do their job.
Making anything tight wrapped around that area could and does cause problems. Please be careful. |
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| creekwood |
Hi Kim!
Keep in mind that the gators cover a large area, so the pressure is distributed. I certainly agree it's possible to make them TOO tight, but you'd really have to work at it. I've NEVER heard of it causing a problem, and I'm around a lot of endurance people who put hundreds of miles in them. I know people who have done 5 day, 250 mile rides in them. It's always good to be careful though 
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| RickB. |
Can someone explain how to determine when a gaiter is 'tight' but not 'too tight'?
I can easily visualize someone pulling that gaiter so tight that it does exactly what Kim has warned about. And, regardless of the size(its all relative, right?) of the area the gaiters cover, the potential [and probable] damage the "make them tight" recommendation presents makes me wonder why anyone who uses their head for more than a hat rack would even consider it. Then again, I am accustomed to working with, for the most part, horsemen/women who coincidentally own and/or train horses. One good example of such a person is LeahH.( http://www.belhavenequinesolutions.com/Main_Site/Home_Page.html ) Leah is a brilliant attorney who on her journey towards recognition and acknowledgment as a true horsewoman, has discovered that hoof care and equine management in general, is not a 'one trick pony' and as a result has cast away the natterings and often injurious practices of a whole host of barefoot trimming/training guru's d' jour. Leah, unlike so many who are involved with horses, understands that "if you think education is expensive, try ignorance" is more, much more than a catchy axiom. Someone should invite her to join these forums. 
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| creekwood |
I use my head for a hemet rack more than a hat rack.
Not sure why Leah is being brought up?? Does she have an opinion about gaiters we should know about? . |
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| bit |
lol, Leah was here, and although I always loved her great insight into the horses hoof, she did tend to go ...how do I say this nicely? I'm laughing because I don't want to be mean, but man Leah can be a pill. | ||||||
| RickB. |
Interesting! Who knew?
So though her input, insights, etc were useful, her delivery method was offputting to some? Makes no sense to shoot the messenger just because you(the collective) don't like his/her delivery method. What ever happened to just ignoring someone you don't like? Apparently there are those who need to wear a larger size under garment to keep from getting all wadded up..... |
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| RickB. |
Safer that way, eh? 
Merely as an example in support of my reply.
We could ask her, but apparently she is, for whatever reason(s), no longer participating on these forums. 
By the way Kelsey, can you answer the question I posed? to wit: "Can someone explain how to determine when a gaiter is 'tight' but not 'too tight'?" Thanks! |
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| Kim Cassidy |
The reason I posted a warning is due to observational experiences (is that a sentence?).
I've come out to work on horses feet and seen boots fitted waaaaay too tight, that includes gaiters. I've also found that the boots work for some horses but not for others. It really does depend on the foot shape. Both the Easyboots and the Renegades were created using Arabs as their hoof models. The Old Mac's not so much (created in England or Australia). The Old Mac's are good for rehab but very clunky for riding. Before anyone's bottoms get in a wad, I know that some ADORE their boots. I'm just asking for the horses sake to please pay close attention when fitting and/or making extremely tight. There just isn't a lot of stuff in the equine distal limb and we need to protect it. Leah IS a PITA, but I don't know if you want to take my advice on it as I'm an even bigger one. My grammar and punctuation are horrid compared to hers. :D The message is lost many times due to the messenger. But I will remind many of a quote that I enjoy oft repeating. How someone treats you is His (or Her) Karma, how you react/respond is yours. |
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| bit |
Yep. Paid special attention to my horses' gaiters today, and the balance seems to be tight enough so that there's no visible "air" but the gaiter still "slides" on the hair when the horse is moving. If that doesn't make sense I can post a video. I've ridden all day rides in just about every terrain, up to 50 milers in the boots on multiple horses & so far haven't had a problem with them. Like Kim said, every horse is different, some can work with boots some can't. As for Leah, I wasn't here much when all the drama happened, so I really don't know the circumstances for her leaving. I valued her hoof knowledge, and learned a lot from her. |
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| creekwood |
oops, oops, that was me above! I'm stealing Bits computer, & that's the second time I've done that today 
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| RickB. |
Thanks.
I have a few additional questions based on your reply. 1. If the gaiter 'slides' on the hair when the horse is moving, how can it keep from eventually causing a rub(s)? 2. If there is any dirt under the gaiter, ie: under the hair/next to the skin, won't the combination of heat from the gaiter encapsulating the pastern, any sweat that accumulates under the gaiter, and the 'sliding' motion of the gaiter over the hair, create a situation that will cause rubs, or worse? 3. After the gaiter is 'set', should one be able to [easily] get a finger between the gaiter and the leg? ie: in much the same manner as is used to check to make sure a leg bandage/wrap is not over tightened. Thanks. |
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| calatar |
Lol, bad Kelsey! 
Rick I see where you are coming from but I have yet to see any rubs with my gloves either. I am able to get a pinkie between the gaiter and the pastern. |
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| creekwood |
Kim, question for you:
How can boots be too small (not gaiters)? thanks |
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| Kim Cassidy |
Kelsey:
I'm not just talking about how the boot fits the bottom of the hoof capsule. I'm looking at the heel bulbs, their prominence or lack thereof. Also at how the boot is affecting the coronet band. There are many places for "tightness" to occur. Also lets not forget the toe extension that every boot adds. |
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| creekwood |
makes sense. Thanks!
Can you elaborate on this please? I'm not seeing more than the 2mm thickness of the gloves (IF it fits the hoof)
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| Clarissa |
I've been using 1 version or another of Easyboots for about 25yrs pretty much since they were invented or came to Australia.
I cannot do a gator up tight enough that it would be too tight. Within a few strides it is moving freely on Sonny's pastern. There has never been a time when trapped dirt was a problem even going through deep mud, gravel, sand or bull dust....much to my continual amazement The neoprene stuff is a great product.
Rik, EB advise that you shouldn't be able to get your finger inbetween the pastern & the gator when done up right. I have increased the breakover roll at the toe on all his boots. I never did that for my other horses. I noticed an immediate improvement in his stride, but he is unique 
The top of the actual boot itself should never touch the coronet. If it is up there the top needs trimming off. The website tells you about things like that & there are also diagrams in the instructions that come with the boots. Kim mentioned about the heel bulbs possibly being damaged if the boots are too tight. I have to say I noticed a change in the shape of my latest boots. I feel it is for the worse as my previous boots had a really nice heel bulb place which seemed to make the boot fit better & snugger. However EBs are apparently being used by more & more people every day & if the heel bulb shape was an issue I'd think EB would be onto it. I'm thinking of experimenting with removing the heel strap to make a tad more room for the heel bulb. EB says that can be done if the hoof is a tiny bit longer than fits comfortably into the boot. Since Sonny's feet are again changing shape I figured it would be interesting to experiment. In general I am quite happy with my EBs & Sonny would tell me if he was unhappy I'm quite sure about that. 
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| 4theloveofjake |
Indeed every horse is different. When I put the gators on too tight on my mare it rubbed her hair off. A bit looser and she is comfortable with no hair loss. | ||||||
| Chablis |
Completely agree about the Old Macs. I bought a pair prior to all the various EasyBoots becoming available (well there was the original Easyboot but I hated that) and call the OM's the 'clunker's' for a reason. I'm now looking for a new pair of boots for my mare. Yes, a message is often lost due to the way the messenger conveys the message. We can only hope that the message is repeated in a way that the message can be successfully received.
Regarding the fitting of boots, I treat them the same was as I do when applying a bandage - not too tight, not too loose. If they are so tight that they rub, loosen them but make sure they are tight enough that they are going to be of some use. |
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| Newfman |
I was just cleaning out my favorites folder, and getting rid of excess unused links when I thought I'd pop in to see how things are going on this one. Seems like less folks, and everyone seems almost...submissive. Weird really.
Anyhow, I read someone had posted about dry hooves, but was planning to pass on commenting on any topics, but what the heck, since I am going to post on this one on my way out, I might as well cross post. Here are a couple links that you may find informative or worthless, and that is just fine, they are what they are. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9932089 http://itsaboutthehorse.zaphod.my.../viewtopic.php?t=3257&start=0 As far as:
That was about as transparent as a Republican campaign ad. Besides, she left on her own, and was always welcome back, even without prodding from RAD and Rick. If you want these folks to trust you, don't be sneaky. They aren't as dumb as you like to try to keep pointing out. They are good people, try some respect. Be well all! Miss ya! Giving myself the boot ! I have an appointment with a delete button. Cheers, Dennis |
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| Clarissa |
Obviously Dennis won't read this but I was compelled to write:-
au revoir patience de marechal ferrant ! 
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| Saddlebag |
Ah, hoof boot people! My qh has very tender soles. I was looking at Easycare's new Trail boot on the internet. What boot does anyone suggest we use. | ||||||
| karmikacres |
Those look pretty nice.
Mike |
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| Horseshoe Creek |
I'm thinking the Trail looks a bit clunky for riding. I look forward to some testimonials.
I wish the Gloves in the wider/bigger sizes were available before most of the riding season will be over. My gelding cannot fit in the existing sizes. I purchased 4 Easyboot Edges for him last summer and never got to use them very much but I tried them on him this year, I'm discovering his hooves are too flat in front for these boots. Sigh... back to the drawing board - sell these one and wait for the new Gloves. |
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| barnelda |
LOVE my gloves
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