Carole Herder has a genuine passion to help educate horse owners. She speaks on her belief that caring for horse’s hoofs naturally and keeping them barefoot is best. Carole designed and developed the range of Cavallo Boots to meet the needs of the world wide hoof boot market.
Carole's background is in holistic and alternative health care. She coauthored the book The Cavallo Barefoot Trim, and most recently authored the international best seller "There Are No Horseshoes in Heaven". Learn more about Carole's book >>
Monty was adamant upon keeping their feet shoeless. This meant that he had to get special permission from the Parade Committee. They rode five horses in the Rose Bowl Parade and led the sixth. Monty reported that not one horse slipped an inch during the entire five miles! No horse took a lame step or appeared to be in any discomfort during the entire trip. After the parade, officials were astonished by the marvelous condition of these six horses.
Appreciating the Unshod Hoof
Another test was conducted on Flag Is Up Farms by Monty’s staff. It was not connected to any academic institution nor was it conducted under any scientific rules. Monty simply suspected that they could bring the horse world information about natural feet. He concluded that most shod horses will migrate to an angle that is far shallower than this test produced. The horses on test ranged between 50 and 56° at the conclusion. Monty’s belief is that this must be what nature intended for these feet. As he compared the thickness of the walls of these horses to domestic animals often shod, the difference was dramatic. Each of these horses received good quality hay of two types throughout the six months. No concentrate feed or any substance meant to enhance foot health and growth was given them.
Monty’s Shy Boy has never had a whisker cut or a nail in his hoof. And he has traveled down the streets of the Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade (twice!) in bare feet! Whether we agree with the testing procedures or the results produced, I appreciate the intention and the time Monty dedicates to figure things out. Nature is the teacher we would do well to observe and listen intently to.
Of course from our perspective, anytime a horse has the extra weight of rider and tack, he would be more comfortable with the overall protection and comfort of Cavallo Hoof Boots.