Barefoot Performance: Jumping

Do barefoot horses make better jumpers?

Above: Catherine Chandler of Wickenburg, AZ, with CF Promise Me (aka Indra), a 5 year old TB/Clydesdale cross mare. She also competes in dressage.

Above: "This is Red, a barefoot draft cross. We trail ride all day in the mountains of Montana, compete in hunters, jumpers, dressage and soon (hopefully) eventing. We've been foxhunting, in parades, and travelled all over the country together. He's sound and healthy no matter where we are."--Alee

Above: Calvin is 7 year old quater horse thart has been "proformance trimmed" for about six months (Jan 2007). If all goes well this winter, Calvin will be showing in either level two jumpers or in green hunters at 'A' shows this spring. The horse is trimmed, trained and ridden by Ben Goldberg. Photo courtesy Ben Goldberg.

Bruce the Appaloosa (above) and Bill the free jumper (below) are barefoot, too. Photos courtesy Ben Goldberg.

Above: Dehere’s Mint (aka: Chewy), 8 yr old off track TB who was lame for 4 years in shoes. Totally sound and won Grand Champion Adult Hunter at this show on 6/4/06. Now owned by Natalie Cruz & Greg Scott. Natalie barefoot rehabbed him beginning in Sept. 2005. Photo courtesy Natalie Cruz.

Above: Clifton’s Dante, 4 year old American Warmblood, never shod, first time out jumping. Owner/Rider: Greg Scott. Photo courtesy Natalie Cruz.

Above: Irish Rocket, 4 year old Irish Draft/TB cross gelding, owned by Debbie Maurie. Sent to Dawn for training over fences, will be starting his career this fall as a foxhunter. Photo courtesy Dawn Jensen.

Above: Showjumping rider training Marci Lambert's barefoot Thoroughbred, Dutch. Photo courtesy Marci Lambert.

Above: Kaylaa, age 9, riding barefoot Mariah at the Idaho State Fair. Photo courtesy Loryhl Goodman.