Thank you, Leanne, for sharing your success story with us!
After many years of shod-horse riding, I decided that I would like to have a barefoot horse-not just a break from shoes over the winter months, but a properly managed, go-anywhere, all-year-round barefoot horse. Unfortunately, my Welsh pony, Star, didn’t think that this was a good idea at all! He had been shod constantly for at least six years before I bought him, and definitely suffered from shoe withdrawal! Everyone I spoke to thought that it would probably take at least 12 months of correct barefoot trimming to get him accustomed to being a full-time barefoot horse.
So began my introduction to horse boots. I’d never had any experience with horse boots, and didn’t realize that there were so many different types on the market! I had heard that they were mainly difficult to use and inclined to come off and also to rub the horse. Upon further research, I discovered that horse boots have come a long way, and most are much easier to use and more comfortable for the horse these days. My trimmer, Rebecca Scott of “Go Barefoot” in Australia, was a great help, lending me different styles and giving me lots of helpful advice.
I tried a few different boots, and bought a set of 4, of a style that I thought would suit the best. How wrong I was-they proved to be difficult to fit and remove, and Star wasn’t happy in them; he would stop often and bite at the pastern straps, even though I had them fitted as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Back to the drawing board!
Rebecca suggested I try Renegade® horse boots, which were fairly new to her at the time, but looked easy to use and comfortable. She ordered a pair in Star’s size, so we could try them out, but were under no obligation to buy- it doesn’t get any better than that! Anyway, after one ride in them I contacted Rebecca, and told her that I would be keeping them-and could she please order me another pair for his back feet!
They are just so easy to use-I call them little old ladies boots, as there is no struggling to fit or remove them-anyone can use them. More importantly, Star is so comfortable in them, and goes like a dream-no biting at these boots! Even adjusting and replacing the cables is easy, and the Renegade® website has great instructions on this.
We do most of our riding in the bush, and it can be very rough and rocky in places, but we are now a go-anywhere team-no terrain seems to bother Star. I ride purely for pleasure, just trail riding and no competing, so I don’t have any prizes to tell about, but Renegade® boots have made Star and I into our own success story!
We will be continuing with our boots rather than trying to become purely barefoot, as even after almost two years without shoes, Star is still much happier wearing boots than barefoot, even on easy-going terrain. He wears boots on all four feet too, not just the front feet like many horses. I guess he is just a big softy! I don’t mind fitting boots before a ride at all-I just want a happy horse and a great riding experience.
We are very lucky here in Australia to have so many great places to ride- but the ground conditions aren’t always easy. Now that doesn’t matter anymore.
I talk about our Renegades to anyone who will listen; even people without a horse!!
(All photos taken at Lockwood in Victoria, Australia. Photographer-Mark Wardrop)
Leanne Wardrop and Star (Bungalally Starsign)
