Tips for Barefoot endurance horse owners

Jen Clingly of Australia emplains "Hoof boots allow you the opportunity to bridge the gap between conventional horseshoes and high performance barefootedness. If a horse's hooves happen to wear down too much with work, boots are designed to protect the hooves from excessive wear, concussion, and bruising. Old Mac's hoof boots made all of this a reality. They are a valuable addition to my tack room, and I take them to every ride like my lucky pair of undies!"

Jen has several success tips to share:

• Stay tough no matter the opposition to going barefoot.
• The role model of a barefoot endurance horse is the wild horse.
• It takes time in training and conditioning a horse barefoot.
• Set realistic goals and be flexible.
• Get to know your horse.
• Be ever so meticulous with their feet.
• Use boots and carry them always.
• Keep your feed simple and use natural horse care.
• Keep it wild and not too domesticated.
• Make sure to warm up and warm down.
• Exposure to hill work for strength.
• Exposure to rock work to lessen horse hoof problems.
• Make sure to check hooves often along your training rides.
• Utilize a confident leader until the horse is totally confident.
• Use massages and therapy to insure well being for your athletes.
• Cross training makes for a well rounded horse.

Jen Clingly lives in Golden Valley, Tasmania, Australia. She is an Endurance rider, a professional trimmer, and a lecturer with TAFE Tasmania in the trade certificate 3 "Equine Hoof Care" course. She is also producer of the documentary about wild horses, "Running Naked--From Outback to Racetrack." Jen a has a wealth of useful tips about barefoot trimming and producing a gravel crunching hoof, visit her website www.wildabouthooves.com.au for more information!