From Competing in Shoes to Barefoot: Amanda’s Scootboot Journey in Malaysia
For Malaysian show jumping and dressage rider Amanda Sivaraja, the decision to transition her horse from shoes to barefoot began with a desire to find a more sustainable approach to her horse’s long-term soundness and wellbeing.
Amanda is a competitive show jumping and dressage rider and trainer based in Malaysia, where horses are commonly worked across sand arenas and extensive areas of tarmac. Like many competitive riders, she had always been told that shoes were necessary for horses competing at this level.
But when her horse developed hock arthritis, Amanda began looking beyond the conventional solutions.
She was advised to have her horse’s hocks injected, but Amanda did not feel this was a suitable long-term solution. Through her research, she discovered that contracted heels were contributing to her horse’s arthritis and began exploring the possibility of transitioning her to barefoot.
“I decided to take a chance with barefoot, and purchased Scootboots.”
The decision was not without scepticism. Amanda’s farrier and others around her were unsure about whether a barefoot transition would work for a competitive horse in Malaysia’s challenging environment.
Four months later, the changes were difficult to ignore.
Amanda noticed that her horse’s heels had expanded significantly, while her stride had also increased. The results were so positive that her farrier changed perspective completely.
“My farrier said to never put shoes on her again.”
For Amanda, the success of her own horse’s transition has also opened the door to conversations with other owners she works with. As a trainer for several owners, she has been able to share her experience and demonstrate what can be possible when a competition horse is given the opportunity to develop healthier, more functional feet.
Several of the owners she works with are now considering transitioning their own horses to barefoot after seeing how well Amanda’s horse has adapted.
Barefoot in a competitive environment
Malaysia presents unique challenges for barefoot horses. With harsh ground conditions, sand arenas and plenty of tarmac, Amanda believes reliable hoof protection is essential for horses making the transition to barefoot and continuing to train and compete.
“Horses must always wear boots if they go barefoot because the ground is very harsh.”
This is where Amanda sees a significant opportunity for Scootboots within Malaysia’s equestrian community. Rather than being viewed as a temporary product during rehabilitation, Scootboots can provide ongoing hoof protection for barefoot competition horses throughout their careers.
Amanda is also using her own experience to help introduce more riders and owners to barefoot hoof care. Her local equestrian community is close-knit, and she plans to continue sharing her journey through Instagram.
“I believe I can promote Scootboot by continuing to share my barefoot journey via Instagram and by competing my successfully rehabbed horse at shows in Scootboots.”
Growing the barefoot community
Amanda joined the Scootboot Trade Partner program in mid-August and has already generated three sales, demonstrating the potential for barefoot hoof care and hoof protection within Malaysia’s competitive equestrian community.
Her position as both a competitive rider and trainer gives her a unique opportunity to introduce Scootboots to other horse owners. By sharing her own horse’s progress and continuing to compete, Amanda can show riders firsthand that barefoot and competitive performance can work together.
For Amanda, it ultimately comes back to horse welfare.
“The owners I work with place great value on horse welfare, and we are slowly spreading the mindset in the community.”
Her journey is helping challenge the idea that shoes are the only option for competition horses and encouraging more owners to consider the long-term health and function of their horses’ hooves.
From a horse with contracted heels and hock arthritis to a barefoot competition horse with significantly expanded heels and an increased stride, Amanda’s experience is a powerful example of what can happen when riders are willing to explore a different approach.
And with Scootboots providing the protection needed to navigate Malaysia’s demanding terrain, Amanda is continuing to show that going barefoot does not mean stepping away from competition. It can be part of a new approach to supporting the health, comfort and performance of the horse for the long term.