Sharon Hunt on Hoof Care and Holistic Horsemanship for Sport Horses

Image credit: Mace Maclean Photography

At Red Horse Products, we’re all about supporting the realities of equestrian life – whether you’re managing a young horse in light work, caring for a retired companion or competing at the top of your game. One such rider is Olympic eventer turned showjumper Sharon Hunt, a long-time user of our products. We recently caught up with Sharon to talk honestly about the complexities of going barefoot versus shod at the highest levels of competition.

From the highs of seeing horses thrive barefoot to the hard decisions that led her back to shoes, her insight is honest, balanced and rooted in years of top-level experience. We also talked about the evolving landscape of equestrian sport, from welfare awareness to holistic training methods.

Whether you’re new to barefoot or navigating your own high-performance setup, Sharon’s story offers valuable perspective on striking a balance between ideals and real-world demands. Let’s dive in.

The Barefoot Journey: Benefits and Challenges

Image credit: Spidge Event Photography

Sharon describes the transition to barefoot as both a “massive step” and a learning curve. “I spent a year barefoot and loved it. Horses definitely move better without shoes – there’s no question about that,” she explains. However, she also faced the practical challenges of managing hooves at the elite level.

“When you have a horse that loads unevenly – say one that tends to turn in or pronate – hard ground can cause parts of the hoof to break off. That problem often needs a shoe to protect and prevent further damage. It can be tricky to work around that naturally.” She admits she hasn’t found a perfect solution yet but remains curious if others might have.

Sharon took on the responsibility of managing her horses’ hooves herself, learning to rasp and care for them, but found it demanding, especially with eight horses to look after. “Putting on boots that protect the foot is great, but logistics like taking them on and off multiple times a day for small tasks became time-consuming and a little impractical for me.”

Traction, Safety and Competition Realities

Image credit: Mace Maclean Photography

One of the main reasons barefoot doesn’t always work in eventing or showjumping, Sharon says, is traction. “I just can’t believe you can jump well on grass without shoes, especially in wet conditions. The risk of slipping and not being able to use studs is huge. At top levels, courses are technical, and horses need perfect balance and grip.”

She’s observed that while lower-level competitions may see barefoot horses, at major international events like London International or the Olympics, nearly every horse wears shoes. “If all the top riders are using shoes, there’s probably a very good reason.”

Shoes also allow farriers to adjust angles and protect the hoof in ways barefoot management can’t always achieve, which are required of horses at elite level, the demands of which a natural hoof simply wasn’t designed to sustain. 

Holistic Horsemanship and Coaching Philosophy

Sharon’s experience as a British Eventing Level 3 coach and mentor informs her holistic approach to horse care and rider mindset. She emphasises the importance of listening to the horse and being willing to stop and address problems early:

“My biggest advice to riders is: don’t keep pushing through when something isn’t right. If the horse shows resistance or discomfort, pushing harder will only create bigger blocks. It’s better to pause and fix the root issue, even if it means stepping back temporarily.”

She also recognizes the unique challenges of equestrian sport, where success depends on the partnership between two living beings, not just the athlete. “You have to accept what you can control and work with that. Emotional regulation and understanding your horse’s behaviour are crucial.”

This mindset ties directly to Red Horse’s values of holistic care, nutrition and body language awareness. Sharon shares, “The more you understand why your horse behaves a certain way, the better your chances of solving problems and building a true partnership.”

She’s also witnessed a positive cultural shift in the sport toward accepting mistakes and focusing on process over perfection. “Experience teaches you that a bad day isn’t failure – it’s a learning opportunity. Riders are becoming more patient and open-minded, which can only help horse welfare and performance.”

Personal Growth and Consistency

Patience and open-mindedness have been key to Sharon’s personal growth. She’s quicker now to spot subtle injuries and training issues and values continuous learning. “Many riders don’t know how to read their horses or recognize problems early. A lot of coaches haven’t opened their eyes to new approaches because it’s daunting to admit you might have been doing things wrong.”

Reflecting on her own career, she admits to past inconsistencies – winning some shows brilliantly and others less so – and identifies the desire for consistent, reliable performance as a driving force in her horsemanship journey.

Consistency, she says, comes from having solid systems in place and the emotional maturity to regulate yourself as a rider. “As I’ve got older, I’ve developed better tools to manage my emotions, which helps me and my horses perform at their best.”

Practical Use of Red Horse Products

Sharon is also a genuine advocate of Red Horse Products, incorporating them into her daily care routine:

“I love the Hoof-Stuff in particular. We had a horse with a bad case of thrush, and after using Red Horse Products recommended by podiatrist Kelly Brown, the improvement was remarkable within days.”

She uses Artimud for hoof bruising, too, praising its ability to stay in place and promote healing without packing the foot. “These are products you can trust because they work gently and effectively.”

Future Goals

Image Credit: Spidge Event Photography

Looking ahead, Sharon is excited about expanding her coaching through online training programs that reflect her evolving approach. “I’m refining my methods all the time and will launch when it’s ready. I want to help riders adopt a holistic, thoughtful approach to horsemanship and spread that message as far as I can.”

Her equestrian ambitions are focused on enjoying a smaller, high-quality team of jumpers. “I’d love to have around five horses competing confidently at around 1.50m and enjoy it. For me, success is consistency and confidence, not necessarily top international level.”

Embracing Complexity with Compassion

Sharon’s balanced perspective reminds us that every horse and owner’s needs are different and that success comes from combining science, experience and empathy.

By promoting rider education, emotional awareness and holistic care, Sharon’s philosophy aligns perfectly with Red Horse’s mission to enhance horse welfare and performance through natural and effective products and practices.

For riders and horse owners navigating the barefoot versus shoe debate, Sharon’s story offers an honest, thoughtful roadmap – one that respects tradition but embraces innovation and individuality, while keeping an open mind for new solutions to unearth. 

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About Sharon Hunt:

Sharon Hunt is an internationally renowned professional rider whose impressive career spans over two decades at the highest levels of equestrian sport. A former Olympic bronze medalist in Eventing at Beijing 2008, Sharon has also achieved top individual placings at the World Equestrian Games and numerous prestigious five-star events worldwide, including a win at Luhmühlen CCI*** and consistent strong performances at Badminton over seven consecutive years.

Sharon has since produced multiple event horses from the ground up, developed a high-class team of showjumpers, and holds British Eventing Level 3 coaching qualifications.

About Red Horse Products:

Red Horse Products is a UK-based company specializing in natural and effective equine care products designed to support hoof health and overall wellbeing.