In this issue:

1. :: Is Barefoot Better?
2. :: Enter our $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest!
3. :: Epics Help Pull SUV out of Ditch
4. :: December Web Special
5. :: Saddlery Trading, EasyCare's Dealer of the Month
6. :: Discontinued Items

Happy Holidays from all of us at EasyCare!

We will be closed from Dec 18-Jan 4, returning to the office on Jan 5, 2009. Don't forget to take advantage of our Stowaway Pack special. These packs make great gifts and have lots of space for all those extra items you need for winter riding.

Colder temperatures mean stiff boots (along with everything else!) Heating your boots up with a blow dryer or leaving them in a window where the sun can hit them will soften the material and will help you get them on easier. Cleaning them after your travels through mud and snow is also important to keep debris from clogging up the hardware and breaking down the materials.

(Photo: Garrett Ford riding Baja in Grips. Durango, CO)

Is Barefoot Better?

by Jennifer Forsberg Meyer

A growing contingent of hoof-care experts says yes. Here's what the natural-foot movement could mean for your horse

Reprinted with permission from Horse & Rider Magazine.

The barefoot option. You've heard of it, but you know it's not for your horse, because (pick one or more):

1. It's a fad.
2. He has bad feet.
3. You ride on rugged ground.
4. You show.

You agree that going barefoot is healthy for a hoof, and that pulling a horse's shoes at least once a year to reestablish natural hoof growth is a good thing. But eventually those shoes must go back on, right? Permanent barefootedness is appropriate only for certain horses who already have tough, resilient hooves. Right?

Four months ago, I'd have agreed with you on all of the above. But now I'm not so sure. By researching this article, I've learned amazing things about how a horse's hoof is designed to function. As a result, I'm beginning to understand why a growing number of natural hoof-care experts say barefoot is not just for horses with already-excellent hooves.

Read the entire article...

DecemberWeb Special

15% off Stowaway Western and English packs

Sale ends Dec 19th at noon. No limit. This offer does not apply to Western Stowaway Slims. Click here for color choices and to order.

Saddlery Trading, Australia

EasyCare's Dealer of the Month

Saddlery Trading Company has been selected as our dealer of the month for December. Located in Caloundra, Australia, Saddlery Trading has been in business for 30 years.

Currently servicing over 800 dealers, they have quickly become one of EasyCare's largest International distributors! Because Saddlery Trading Company feels an equine products supplier should meet certain standards, they carefully create and select the finest items and at the same time believe in developing innovative and exciting products for the horse industry.

Over the past 9 years the entire EasyCare team has found the Saddlery Trading team wonderful to work with, always very cheerful and positive, even with the Equine Influenza outbreak last year! "The barefoot movement is quite big in Australia at the moment and we think it will continue to grow as people learn more about the effects of metal shoes", says Wroxton Innis.

Read the rest of the article.

Visit Saddlery Trading's Website.

Discontinued Items

As of January 1, 2009 EasyCare will be discontinuing several items in our line. This includes all Shear Comfort items (saddle covers, cinch ring protectors, etc), Ice Boots and Sponge Bags (including bags with sponges). In additon, all Stowaway Gear and Bale Bags will be available in Navy only.

Easyboot Epics and Driving Horse Pull SUV From Ditch

Hi! This is me, my dog Selma and my Norwegian cold blood named Huken Gutt. Last winter we really had good use for our Easyboot Epics. I have put ice studs in them so we can ride and drive in the Norwegian winter, and the boots fit him so well we haven't lost a boot in 3 years!

Last winter he even pulled a SUV up from the ditch in a steep curve of the road, wearing his Easyboots! The SUV couldn't stay on the road but Huken Gutt had no problem digging his studs into the ice and pull the big thing back on the road. He even had to pull it all the way up the hill, 'cause its wheels just couldn't get a grip on the ice. I must say that day I was really impressed with both my horse and the Easyboots! Im sorry I don't have a picture of the "SUV-pulling" but we were too busy trying to help the unlucky lady who drove it to think about it!

--Edda Bohn Norway

If you have any questions about our products feel free to call our friendly staff at 1-800-447-8836, e-mail: questions@easycareinc.com or visit our website at easycareinc.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter! Please let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions on how to make it better.
See you on the trail,

The Staff at EasyCare
EasyCare, Inc.
email: admin@easycareinc.com
phone: 800-447-8836
web: easycareinc.com