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“A few years ago, we traded our reg. Paint stallion for an older reg. Palomino Quarter horse named Sailor. While I knew I was losing money on the deal, the stallion just didn't belong here. I wanted the Palomino because I thought he would best fit in with our other horses, and with having teenagers and inexperienced riders, I knew I would rest easier with the stallion off the property.

When we arrived to make the trade, Sailor, the Palomino horse, was walking with a limp. The owners said he recently stepped on a staub and it was healing. I had my doubts and knew I should just get in my truck and drive home, but I had just traveled 6 hours to get him, and I really didn't want to take the Paint back home, so I went ahead and traded for him.

After about two weeks, Sailor was not getting better. We took him to the vet and did all the xrays, etc. It was determined that it is not navicular yet, but could be the beginnings. The vet and farriers all said to go ahead and ride him, a few hours at a time would be fine, and that he will not hurt any more from riding him than he already does just grazing around in the field.

So we began with the pads and elevated shoes, etc. Every day I watched him gimp and limp and poke around the field. I did switch farriers, due to the new one would come to my home. We eliminated the pads and shoes, and observed him, and he seemed about the same, therefore we eliminated that expense.

Earlier in the year, my farrier suggested Natural Hoofcare. Sounded good to me. I have 4 older horses, which rarely get ridden, and my trail horse that needs trimmed and reshod every 5 weeks, so it sounded like a win-win to me.

With the Natural Hoofcare, I slowly began to notice Sailor improving in his walk. He wasn't dancing jigs or running marathons, but he seemed to be feeling a little better.

During this time, my friends began to want to borrow him for their kids to learn to ride on. I knew as gimpy as he was, he would definitely not be a run away, and he has never offered to buck or rear, even with his feet a bit ouchy, so at least on occasion he would have a job.

So he has done about one fun show a year barefoot, but a few weeks ago, one of my friends wanted to take Sailor on our Saddle Club trail ride for her 5 year old son. Her son, Alex, is usually in the buddy seat, but this time he wanted a horse of his own.

Since I only had a pair of Epics to fit my horse and one to fit the mare my husband was riding, my farrier let me rent a pair of her Easyboot Epics for Sailor for the weekend.

On the trail ride, Sailor wore the Easyboots. He had an amazing new bounce in his step, he looked great, seemed to be feeling great, and he had a new purpose to his life, rather than being at the end of his life cycle and having outlived his usefulness. Alex was just as proud as a peacock and they just had a great time together, and the memories created for this little boy will last him a lifetime.

Thank you, Easyboot Epics!"

- Melinda Burgoon