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A Barefoot Show Horse?  Can you Really Have it All?

Cavallo CLB Hoof Boots - Train on any terrain

Show Training your Barefoot Horse on All Terrain is Possible!

I love getting questions from you all in response to the fun newsletters we send out. This Summer, someone who enjoys driving with their miniature horses asked about how to keep them barefoot. They want to keep their minis’ hoofs as healthy and natural as possible. They also show them at American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) events, and they need to know that they’ll be safe while barefoot – no matter where they train or compete. At home and on the showgrounds, the terrain where they practice is rocky and too hard for them to comfortably work while barefoot.

No Sole Bruising on Showgrounds

Cavallo CLB Hoof Boots - Training mini horse drivingWhen you’re preparing for a driving competition, not everyone has a large enough arena or track to practice on consistent terrain. If your horse doesn’t have shoes, it’s best to protect his sensitive soles any time he’ll work over hard or rocky surfaces. It’s a great idea to boot your horses during practice around your home, and also to keep boots on at all times around your showgrounds. Many times, showground parking lots have gravel, which can poke and hurt hooves that aren’t accustomed to the terrain. You don’t want to chance a sole bruise right before a big show!

CLB – A Solution for Every Show Horse!

We have worked with the AMHA for some time and have great stories to report about how competitive showmen have used our boots to help them practice at home. Each year, we donate boots as prizes for top classes at the AMHA World Championships. We developed the CLB (Cute Little Boot). It’s made for miniatures and it’s now a very popular tool used by minis while training for events and shows.

Kerri and Megan – In it to WIN IT!

Kerri Postletheweight and her daughter, Megan, returned from the 2019 AMHA World Championships boasting a win in one of the driving events. At the 2020 AMHA World Show, she won first-place prizes in Shankless Showmanship and in Youth Reinsmanship. Among other top 10 placings, she went on to win the Youth Halter Obstacle out of a class of 44! Kerri Postletheweight gave credit to her Cavallos for the role they played in the months of training before the winning shows:

“Without a big indoor arena, the only place we can teach our miniature horses to drive a cart is on a long gravel driveway. Our Cavallo Hoof Boots protect their hooves from the rocks while driving. Our mini, Hughie (TWFS Moonlight Playboy), would not have been able to win World Champion in a driving class this year without his Cavallos. He moves great in them and it does not affect his action. He’s never had a boot slide off while working. The boots are great for all minis, from therapy visits to anywhere you want to take your minis that might be slick or rocky.”

It’s also great to outfit your horses with boots while trailering to shows. Chelsea Holt trains world champion driving horses and she recommends Cavallos for travel: “The Cavallo CLB mini hoof boots are my favourite hoof boots to use on my driving horses. My horses wear their CLBs when they ride in the trailer, as soft rides keep them happy!”

Boot your horses of any size and go have fun travelling, riding and driving anywhere you’d like!

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Wishing you many happy roads and trails to come,

Carole Herder 2020 Signature - Hoof Prints Book - LR

 

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