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Cost-saving Hoof Care Plan for Young Riders

Cavallo Horse & Rider: Cost-saving Hoof Care Plan for Young Riders

It’s refreshing to get questions coming in from young horse owners who are just starting out. And I love how these brave, young people are looking critically at traditional hoof care, and making their own decisions about what feels right for both them and their equine. Here’s an email that came in over the holidays, which we loved to read:

Q: “All through school, I rode at lesson barns where the horses’ care was handled for me. I just bought my first horse as an adult, and his care is all my responsibility. What’s the best way to set up a hoof-care/booting routine that will keep my horse safe and sound? I also heard that I could save money by going barefoot but I don’t know much about it. I like the idea of helping my horse while not paying as much for constant shoe changes.”

– Katie M.

Been there! Here’s my Answer:

Congratulations on your graduation and your first horse! Transitioning from a full-care facility to having your own horse can be a big switch. I applaud your idea of keeping your horse barefoot. It’s a big responsibility, but I can assure you, you’d be doing the best thing for your horse’s health and well-being with a natural barefoot program. To do this successfully, you’ll need to find a barefoot trimmer you trust and work with them to keep your horse’s hooves in shape and trimmed every six to eight weeks. Here’s the crux of what you need to know…

The ‘Five Hearts’ / Hoof Mechanism Connection

Cavallo Hoof Boots - hoof mechanismYou may have heard it said that a horse has five hearts; four on the ground and one in the chest. This refers to the frog’s blood pumping function, circulating blood down through the extremities and back again. The frog spreads the heel apart, drawing the sole flat, and inviting the bone structure of the leg to descend into the hoof. This is how shock is absorbed in the hoof capsule. If you can accept that circulation is imperative to the distribution of nutrients throughout the system and that healthy blood flow aids in the prevention of hoof illness and facilitates healing, it follows that limiting blood flow will lead to degeneration. If the frog cannot make ground contact and function as it should, then shock cannot be properly absorbed, and blood cannot freely flow.

A Shocking Test to Try:

When metal is nailed in all around and the hoof is clamped in its smallest, most contracted position, both proper blood circulation and shock absorption are dangerously impeded. Then, when the hoof lands on a hard surface, shock is referred up the legs.

Take a metal shoe and bang it against a hard surface. You will feel the tremors vibrate up your arm. Try it. In fact, even the nails cause vibration which will compromise the integrity and break down the hoof structure. And if you still think that metal shoes provide protection, please consider that the outside walls of the hoof are already hard and that the softer more vulnerable middle sole area is the more vulnerable.

The Cornerstones of Your Hoof Care Plan

Hoof Care Plan includes a great trimmer - Maia Chaput

To keep your horse barefoot, you’ll first want to find a trimmer who specializes in barefoot hoof care. You need to feel comfortable with this person to provide an excellent explanation to any of your questions and who allows you space and leniency to learn. A great hoof care plan is a responsibility to be shared and understood. Hoof care is a fascinating journey!

To give you a starting point, I can offer you this free version of my guidebook about barefoot trimming, which I co-wrote with the renowned trimmer, Lynn Sealy, and you can watch the accompanying online video to help educate you and your farrier/trimmer about the best shape for your horse’s hooves. It isn’t meant for you to learn to trim yourself, but just to get an idea of how some folks are having great success.

We also offer unlimited support from our Cavallo Customer Service team. Just give Krystle, Christine, Tina or Brigitta a call, toll-free at 1-877-818-0037 and ask away!

The ‘Barefoot & Booted’ Bargain

Now let’s look at the cold, hard cash! You’re right that metal shoeing often is expensive. With an average cost of $130 USD per full set of shoes put on eight times per year, the annual cost of metal shoes is about $1040 USD. With Cavallo ELB Boots, the yearly cost is about $150 USD per pair. They last a minimum of one year and often many more (trimming costs may apply if you are not doing it yourself). Please note that the Trek Boot is Cavallo’s most recommended style for all purposes.

In average conditions and with adequate care, the life span of your Cavallo Hoof Boots lasts from one to two years. However, some trail riders have reported having their boots for much longer. Even if you outfit your horse with back as well as front boots, your savings over two years is still a fraction of the price for metal shoes.

Wait a Minute…Why are you Offering this Advice just to YOUNG Riders?

Great question! We offer this advice to EVERY rider of every age! We have riders who are seniors calling in to ask the same question. This was a question first asked by experienced riders of a higher age, but we are thrilled to see the younger generations thinking freely and questioning what’s best for their horse right out of the gate. The older generations can take credit for making the choice of barefoot hoof care possible.

Refer to Your Cavallo Support Source

To learn more about creating your hoof care plan, our Cavallo website is loaded with research, testimonials, and FAQs to help guide you as you transition to barefoot and prepare to ride in any sport. Visit https://cavallo-inc.com for more help or join the discussion on Facebook

Wishing you many happy trails along your journey through horse ownership,

Carole Herder Cavallo Hoof Boots Signature

More About Carole

Carole Herder is the author of the #1-bestselling books: There Are No Horseshoes in Heaven and newly-released Hoofprints on The Journey. Her company, Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc., manufactures and distributes horse products, including Cavallo Hoof Boots and Saddle Pads, to 26 countries worldwide. Herder designed and developed Cavallo Hoof Boots and Total Comfort System Saddle Pads. She’s an honoured recipient of the BCBusiness Women Innovator Award, Royal Bank of Canada Woman Entrepreneur Award, a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, and a certified Chopra University Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Teacher.

Visit www.cavallo-inc.com to learn about the full line of Cavallo Horse & Rider products. Call toll-free from the USA or Canada: 1(877) 818-0037

*Top Photo Credit: Evelyn Santer, Italy @Evesanter on Instagram   

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