In this issue:

1. :: Tips for Booting Mules
2. :: Web Special - Buy one Bare, Get the Second for Half Price
3. :: Team Easyboot Members Rescue Montana Horses
4. :: "Tell Your Woes" Winner
5. :: More Fun with Rosie
6. :: Booted Mule Rides Through the Andes
7. :: Authors Wanted

We know there are a lot of donkey and mule lovers out there judging by the number of photos we received. We've put up a special page on our website for all you "long-ear" lovers.

It includes tips for booting, photographs, and special links that can answer your questions about hoof care. Bares are on sale this month, so if you want to try booting this is the time to do it.

We hope you are enjoying your riding time! (The booted mule pictured is owned by Barb Taylor, a hoof care practitioner in Clayton, Washington.)

Tips for Booting Mules

Mules typically have longer feet than horses, as measured from the toe to the heel buttress. In addition, they also have steeper angles and larger heel bulbs.

The three biggest challenges that you will face when booting are: 1) sizing the boot, 2) getting the gaiter to fit over the heel bulbs and 2) determining what you can and cannot adjust.

1. Of all the boots we offer, Bares and Epics work the best. We have heard success stories with Old Mac's (that have inserts), but not to the extent of the other two boots.

2. Proper fit, of course, is of utmost importance. (We will talk about the gaiter later. Later, gaiter. ) Know how to measure and do it twice right after a fresh trim.

3. Look carefully at the size chart. The upper end of the measurement on the chart is the actual physical dimension of the inside of the boot. For example, a size 1 Epic/Bare boot is 4 7/8" wide 5 1/8" long. The boot will be too wide if your length exceeds your width by more than one size on the chart. If this is the case with your mule, we don't recommend the boots.

(Click here to see more tips posted on our NEW mule page! )

Web Special - Buy one Bare, Get the Second for Half Price

Limit two (2) half-price Easyboot Bares

This special is for web orders only. You must enter "Bares" in the promo code section of the shopping cart on our website in order to receive sale pricing. Sale ends September 30, 2008

Our Dealers/Heroes of the Month

It's stories like the one below that make us proud of our dealers and team members. It makes us realize what a difference people (and boots) can make in the lives of horses. This was sent to us by Q. Hart of High Performance Hooves:

Dawn Merrill (Team Easyboot Member), Jay DeHart (Team Easyboot Member and Easycare Dealer) and myself, also a Team Easyboot Member spent yesterday afternoon trimming and booting four horses that were obviously abused. They were confiscated by our local Sheriffs department from the owner and brought to the Bitterroot Humane Society in Hamilton, Montana. When we got there the vet was there making these guys more comfortable.

It all started when Dawn and I went for a local trail ride here in the valley on Friday, August 1st. Seven miles in we came upon a downed horse that was left to die on the trail. After failed attempts by both Dawn and I we decided to go get help. Dawn and a neighbor rode back the next day and after over ten hours were able to get the horse to walk out of the mountains (with the comfort of Dawn's Bares). Note: The owner was then found and the three additional horses removed from his care.

The Humane Society was shocked and so grateful to Easycare for their generosity in donating the boots for these horses. NONE of the employees knew what we were putting on their feet and asked a lot of questions about the boots. I know this will open more doors for horses and their owners as for an option to shoeing and rehabilitation.

— Q. Hart

(Click here for more info...)

"Tell Your Woes" Winner

Yvonne Johnson is the winner of the "Tell Your Woes" contest in which we asked that you give a factual or fictional statement about a saddle bow. A saddle bow, often mentioned in early American literature, is the raised portion of the front of the saddle. (Google The Three Kings by HW Longfellow for another example of a saddle bow.)

Yvonne's answer was the most creative. She says, "When an arrow is released from a bow, it can be said the arrow was sent singing. So, for the quote "Tell your woes to your saddle bow and ride away singing", one could mean to leave your cares and your saddle behind and happily ride off bareback! " Yvonne won $50.00.

Booted Mule Rides Through the Andes

Hi, my name is Ricardo Cruzat, from Chile. I have been testing EasyCare products for years, in endurance and roaming in the Andes. Here I am with my John mule, Menta, on a 100 miles ride to Laguna del Dial . (Bares on front feet)

You might recognize Rosie. She's been in our newsletter once or twice. Here she is at the annual Donkey Derby wearing Epics. Hoof boots help her with traction over the various objects.

Click here to see more pictures of Rosie

Authors Wanted

Are you interested in being a contributing author to our newsletter? Or, are you a hoof care practitioner or experience boot user who would like to answer booting questions?

If so, please send an email to us at marketing@easycareinc.com. We are looking for people to contribute to the newsletter and blogs.

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