Jenny’s Barefoot Journey: From Metal Shoes to Scoot Boots

Jenny Fraser, the acting store manager at Horseland Tamworth, has been a lifelong horse lover. 

Recently, she transitioned her horses to a barefoot lifestyle using Scoot Boots. Jenny’s journey, like many others, started with a need to find a healthier alternative to traditional metal shoes. 

Everyone’s barefoot journey is different, so we wanted to highlight Jenny’s journey and how using Scoot Boots has made the transition much smoother. 

If you’re interested in how Scoot Boots can help your barefoot horse, just head down to your local Horseland, who’s friendly staff will be happy to assist you with any questions.

Hi Jenny! Do you mind telling us a little bit about your horses?

Absolutely! I’ve got three horses - Sparky, Juju and an 18-year-old Arab Mare named Storm.

I ride Sparky and Juju - which are the horses that I have Scoot Boots on and I’m planning to get Scoot Boots for Storm as well.

Sparky is a quarter-horse cross, and I’ve had him since he was three months old. Juju, my registered quarter-horse mare, is the one I ride in Scoot Boots all the time.

I transitioned her to barefoot recently because she was getting sore-footed, and I didn’t want to shoe her anymore. Scoot Boots have been amazing for her, and they fit perfectly!

I’ve only had my Arab Mare for about a month, but she’s been loving her Scoot Boots and I can take her out on all the dirt roads with them on. 

Have you always been barefoot, or have you just changed from metal shoes?

No, my horses weren’t always barefoot. I’ve just recently transitioned them within the last 12 months.

Since going barefoot, my horse’s hooves have never looked better. They’re really flourishing and it’s great to see.

That’s great! Why did you transition to barefoot?

I made the switch because the constant shoeing and nails going into hooves were affecting my quarter-horse mare, so I decided to give her a break. 

Between the shoeing and different foreign objects, it was causing her heels to contract quite a bit. 

So, allowing her feet to just hit the ground and get blood pumping to the frog and tendons has helped her a lot. Her feet are coming along a lot better now and her heels aren’t as contracted as they once were.

What riding do you do with your horse?

I mostly do trail riding with my club, the Gunnedah Big Sky Trailblazers. 

We recently went on a four-hour ride last month, and the boots stayed on the whole time! It was such a relief to know her hooves were fully protected and there weren’t any issues.

So, why did you start using Scoot Boots?

I started using Scoot Boots because Juju’s heels were contracting from being shod too much. The boots gave her the break she needed from metal shoes and allowed her feet to develop more naturally. 

Getting sized was super easy. I just sent the sizing team a message and they told me what size to get - it was so easy. They fit really well.

It’s so amazing to not have to worry about my horses when they’re out in the paddock. No more worrying “Oh no, they’ve lost a shoe so I can’t ride today.” or if she’ll be too foot sore on the road.

I just chuck Scoot Boots on them and I can go out whenever I want.

What do you love about your role at Horseland?

I love that I get to be around horses every day and talk to customers about them. Being able to share my passion for horses and the benefits of going barefoot with Scoot Boots is a great part of the job.

I actually wanted to get a pair of Scoot Boots after I saw them in the store. I just love the look of them, and how you can customise them with lots of different colours.

What advice would you give to someone who’s sceptical about going barefoot and using Scoot Boots?

I’d say jump to it! No hoof, no horse. When you’re shoeing, you’re relying on your farrier to get there every time and hooves can get too long in the toe. 

If your horse is lame in the paddock, you just chuck Scoot Boots on them and it cushions their feet. They’re so good.

If a customer comes in who has a horse with laminitis I point them straight to Scoot Boots - they’re great for protecting the horses hoof as it can get pretty sore and tender.

The drainage holes in the Scoot Boots helps the horses hoof breath as well.

What unexpected changes did you see in your horse when using Scoot Boots?

I was surprised by how quickly Juju’s feet started growing out wider and more naturally. It’s been a huge improvement from the contracted, narrow shape they had before.

Are you able to do anything now using Scoot Boots that you couldn’t before?

Yes, I can ride whenever I want without having to wait for the farrier to put shoes back on. 

I don’t have to worry about stone bruises either, because Scoot Boots cover the entire sole, keeping Juju’s hooves protected even on rocky terrain.

How much do you think you’re saving on farrier costs?

I’m saving so much money! Scoot Boots have been an absolute godsend. 

Without having to shoe my horses, I don’t have to pay for mileage fees or the cost of shoeing, and I’m probably saving about $1,200 a year.

Even my farrier, who’s losing out on shoeing fees, told me to stick with Scoot Boots because they’re doing so well for her feet!

If you’re considering going barefoot or looking for an alternative to traditional shoes, head down to your local Horseland and pick up a pair of Scoot Boots today!