Q: How does jumping impact my horse’s hooves? Can I jump with Cavallo hoof boots on my horse?
Rearing horse wearing Cavallo boots
Let's turn to the effect jumping has on the horse's hooves: impact, shock, and massive force of weight descending on those relatively small hooves.
© 2019 by Cavallo
Cavallo President Carole Herder shares her advice….
A: Jumping is a multifaceted sport. Success requires harmonization of both horse and human bodies, individually and collectively. Rewarding when accomplished with finesse and agility. Life-threatening when uncoordinated and clumsy.
Have you ever watched, in dumbfound awe, at the magic and lightness while a team flows perfectly through a complex course?
Have you ever sat and wondered what in the world someone was thinking when trying to navigate a corner and direct their horse over a standard with completely inappropriate management? It’s opposite ends of the same spectrum. Same sport. Completely different delivery. Challenging both ways, and for entirely different reasons.
Leaving the nuances of performance behind, let’s turn to the effect jumping has on the body - primarily horses’ hooves. This is always the favorite topic at Cavallo. Concussion. Impact. Shock. Massive force of weight, descending on those relatively small hooves.
Here’s what one foremost authority on this topic has to say: Dr. Robert Bowker, DVM said in Horse & Rider, Feb. 2006,
“The blood in horses' feet does much more than provide nutrients to hoof tissues. It also enables the unshod foot to function as a hydraulic system, in much the same way that gel-filled athletic shoes do. We need to be trimming hooves so that more of the back part of the foot -- including the frog -- bears the initial ground impact forces and weight. "
"Horseshoes provide a much smaller surface area to absorb shock. So, if a bare hoof landing after a jump experiences, say, 1,000 pounds of loading per square foot, then with a traditional shoe, there's going to be 2,000 pounds per square foot."
Cavallo boots under study on active horses:
Gabriella Lynn, a student at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, recently conducted a study to determine Cavallo Trek boots’ effects on hoof pressure distribution. She chose these boots because they cover the entire foot and have tread for riding over rough ground. Lynn presented her findings at the 2019 Equine Science Society Symposium, held June 3-6 in Asheville, North Carolina.
In her study, Lynn measured pressure distribution as horses walked over Fujifilm Low Prescale Film barefoot and when wearing boots, on asphalt and over crushed stone. The color film images revealed pressure over the hoof wall and sole, as well as minimum and maximum pressure, mean pressure, size of contact area, and force.
After analyzing these, Lynn observed that hoof boots created more low-pressure regions on the film than bare feet, meaning, in Lynn’s words, “that hoof boots absorbed more force and distributed more pressure upon impact”.
To read more about Gabriella’s study, please read the article here: https://thehorse.com/177314/hoof-boots-can-protect-barefoot-trail-horses-feet/
Not only can you jump in Cavallos, but your horse will benefit from the shock absorbing, weight distributing and pressure minimizing features of these technically advanced apparatus of ingenuity.
Without the need for special trims or replaceable (breakable) parts and complete with 100% hoof protection, Trek have risen to become the most popular style in the Cavallo Hoof Boot collection.
Cavallo receives reports and client praises every day. Many happy riders choose to send their photos and videos, unprompted. It’s obvious. ‘YES’ you can indeed jump in Cavallos. And if you require more traction, stud kits are available.
Here are a few happy jumpers:
Watch some fun jumping here - Eragon’s Cavallos made him a star at the Big Bay Pony Club Jump Show in Escanaba Michigan! Thanks to Monica McFawn, for sending in this fantastic video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWSYs--WhlQ&t=3s
About the Source:
Carole Herder is the author of the #1 International Bestseller, There Are No Horseshoes in Heaven. She has been involved in horse health since 1993. Her company, Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc., develops, manufactures and distributes horse products in 26 countries. Herder designed and developed Cavallo Hoof Boots and Total Comfort System Saddle Pads. She presents trainings around the world to teach the benefits of keeping horses in a natural state. Herder is an honored recipient of the Royal Bank of Canada Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is a member of the Women’s Presidents Organization, supporting female entrepreneurs in every industry.
Press release provided by Jenny at Cavallo