Swiss Horse Boot Custom Fitting Clinic
THE BOOTS
Performance boots are integral to natural hoof care. They allow barefoot horses to comfortably negotiate terrain their hooves are not yet conditioned for.
The Swiss Horse Boot (SHB) is the "best hoof boot in Europe" according to a study conducted by the Center for Hoof Boots in Paderborn, Germany. Now it’s time to make it more widely available in the USA.
The SHB is a sleek, light weight, yet durable performance boot that is easy to apply. It is a resilient boot that can expand to accommodate the de-contraction of heels, accretion of hoof mass, and the thickening of hoof walls that often occur over time after metal shoe removal and the inception of natural hoof care. Other, off-the-shelf boots, have to be replaced. The SHB is molded as one piece, so, there is no stitching to tear or cables to break. No screws, no nails. They are weather resistant and temperature tolerant. They are ten time more shock absorbing than metal shoes. They last approximately six time longer than iron shoes. They reduce slipping and spikes can be added for extreme conditions. Most importantly, while many styles of boots are modifiable in one way or another, the SHB truly can be custom fitted to the three dimensional shape of a hoof to assure optimal performance and comfort — no worries about over tightening and such. Dislikes? Well, all the “Horse Tack Review” had to say was “ehhh.” In short, the SHB is simply the “Best of the Best” ... the ultimate performance hoof boot.
Here’s a sample of what people are saying about their SHB:
“My first pair of Swiss Boots have been in use for about seven years now, ridden regularly at different paces over a variety of terrain (rocks, mud, brush, streams, asphalt), and they are still solid! They fit well and don't rub. They were adjusted a few times during the transition to barefoot; it was nice not to have to buy a new pair. The only parts I have replaced have been the keeper straps, and the only time I lost a boot was when they were used without a keeper strap. When meeting new riders, they often ask about the boots and I always recommend them. I just purchased a another pair for my other horse.” Lori Lemley
“I am a certified hoof care practitioner as well as a certified field instructor, and am qualified to fit the Swiss Horse Boot. I like the Swiss Boot because of its versatility, it is fit to each individual hoof and as the hoof transitions to barefoot the boot can be modified. I have ridden the boot in tall fescue grass, through water, through mud and have never had one come off. The Swiss Boot is not as bulky as many of the other boots and the horse doesn't seem bothered by the Swiss Boot, unlike some of the other boots I have tried. The straps and buckles can be easily replaced as well. It is my belief that this boot is by far the best boot on the market.” Louetta Plumlee
THE CLINIC
Warrenton, MO
9 AM, April 19, 2010
The SHB Custom Fitting Clinic is designed for individuals aspiring to compliment a professional career in natural hoof care by custom fitting SHBs. It is a one day hands-on clinic where participants learn to effectively work with SHBs — how to select the proper boot size by accurately assessing and determining hoof shape and size, how to use the tools needed to accurately customize a boot to the three dimensional shape of a hoof, methods for three dimensional boot modification, how to know when a proper fit has been achieved, and more. Most importantly, participants will personally modify a number of SHBs under expert supervision. The cost of the boots and materials are included in the registration fee. The tools required for modifying the boots will also be provided, giving participants an opportunity to work with different types of tools before investing in their own.
Richard Drewry was the co-founder of the AANHCP. He is a charter member of Liberated Horsemanship, serving as a Field Instructor as well as a Gateway Clinic instructor. Richard is the exclusive US distributor of Swiss Boots and has provided hoof care professionals and horse owners specialized training in the art and science of hoof care and booting for a number of years.
Have questions? Ask Richard
Clinic Instructor
Founded in 1864 Current population = 5,283.
Nearest Airport: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in St. Louis, MO which is about a 45 minute drive. There is a shuttle service that goes between Lambert Airport in St. Louis and Warrenton. It's called Lincoln County Shuttle (636-528-2666).
There is a B & B called The Hiding Place that is very nice and reasonably priced (636-456-2107 or 636-359-1000). We strongly recommended it.
The Hiding Place Gift Shop is also a great place to find that perfect gift to take home to that special person.
You can find a listing of motels in Warrenton on-line. They are all within 3 miles of the symposium site.
The Swiss Boot Custom Fitting Clinic is held in the Lion's Club Building at the Warren County Fairgrounds, just outside Warrenton, Missouri. To get to the Lion's Club Building go north 2.0 miles on State Highway 47 from I-70. Turn left onto Warren County Fairgrounds Road. The fairgrounds and the entrance is four tenths of a mile on your right. After you enter the fairgrounds, the Lion's Club Building is the first building on your left; it's a brown building with stone.
Watershed Farm
PO Box 546
Warrenton, MO 63383
Phone: 314.740.5847
Copyright © 2004 Bruce Nock, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
ABOUT WARRENTON, MISSOURI
Liberated Horsemanship
Use the secure PayPal button below to register for the April 19, 2010 clinic (Fee = US$ 350)
Or mail a check made out to Liberated Horsemanship and drawn on a USA bank to
Watershed Farm
PO Box 546
Warrenton, MO 63383
Refunds will be granted up to three weeks prior to the Symposium. A $30 processing fee plus any PayPal fee will be deducted from each refund. No refunds will be granted within three weeks of the event.
ON THE PRACTICAL SIDE
Many natural hoof care professionals have been discouraged by the suboptimal quality of some off-the-shelf boots and the lack of dealer support. In addition, the difference between the cost to them and the suggested retail price of many boots is insignificant when shipping and handling costs are added in. Consequently, although all natural hoof care professionals recognize the importance of performance boots, they have stopped retailing them, leaving horse owners on their own—a source of many potential frustrations. I’ve experienced it myself.
Custom fitting SHBs, on the other hand, is a quality service natural hoof care professionals can provide to clients. And, dealer friendly pricing makes the Swiss Horse Boot a profitable product to complement your natural hoof care business.
Participants Receive a Certificate of Completion
We are pleased to announce the Swiss Horse Boot Company of Switzerland will award $100 scholarships to defray registration costs to a limited number of clinic participants. Call Bruce at 314.740.5847 for more information.
NHC Training
NHC Services
TM
LIBERATED HORSEMANSHIP
