Blog » transitioning to barefoot

Someone was asking me about the pros and cons of going barefoot. I was surprised to see the first answer was someone saying that a horse can only go barefoot if they are not a big horse, that does not get ridden much, and cannot go at speed. So, I felt I needed to speak up. Here is my reply; I figured I'd share it here too, since I took the time to write it all.
Someone was asking me about the pros and cons of going barefoot. I was surprised to see the first answer was someone saying that a horse can only go barefoot...

"I want to prove that you can ride endurance competitively with Scoot Boots. I want to show people, like with my MS, that it can be done." - Rachelle du Plessis.
Rachelle du Plessis is an endurance rider in South Africa. She and her husband, Martin du Plessis, breed, train and compete endurance horses. Rachelle was diagnosed with MS in 2002...

Lola the retired racehorse is barefoot and competing in Scoot Boots for the Thoroughbred Makeover. She and I will continue to be barefoot advocates, competing and trail riding barefoot and in Scoot Boot hoof boots!
Firstly, Lola and I would like to say thank you for following our journey. We have learned so much from each other over the ten months spent training for the Thoroughbred...

David Wallace transitions his horses to barefoot and trail rides in Scoot Boots.
This is Geordie. He is an 11year old stock horse cross, who I have owned and ridden for 8 years. He came to me as a very green 3year old....

You've decided to pull your horse's shoes. Knowing that you're doing the best you can for your horse is all that counts when it comes to hoof care.
So, you've decided to pull your horse's shoes Ahhhhhhhhhh, you've decided to pull your horses shoes. Does nature REALLY know best when it comes to hoof care?  'Cause it seems...

Shoes were not really working for Dancealong. Despite being on high quality hoof supplements and balanced nutrition he has a slow rate of hoof growth. The hooves would crack up to the nail holes and the shoe would fall off taking out a big chunk of wall in the process.
You have a 12 year old Grand Prix Dressage horse. Can you tell us a little bit more about him?  His paddock name is Christmas as he was born just...

I have several horses that can go without, but the cool thing about the boots that I tried, out of the all the boot designs, Scoot Boots are very dynamic, they are more bendable, it’s like putting the perfect terrain underneath the horse for every step.
Scoot Boot is passionate about the barefoot movement, which is why their hoof boots came into existence. Their lightweight, flexible and durable design provide an experience for your horse that...

It’s hard to remember that she has only been off the track for 12 months and that she has been in my life for just 11 of those.  I can’t believe how fast time has gone by and all that we have accomplished together. 
Lola and I have been making slow and steady progress as we approach our big trip to Kentucky for the Makeover.   It’s hard to remember that she has only been...