Meet Carole Herder and her hoof boot company, Cavallo.
On a stunning property in Roberts Creek, British Columbia, Carole Herder owns and cares for her beloved fleet of horses and dogs. But that’s not the only thing this Canadian horse enthusiast is responsible for. From the same location, alongside her partner, Greg Giles, and a team of superstar employees, she also operates her successful business – Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc.
A life-changing idea is born
Carole founded the company in 1993, but her involvement with horses began many years earlier. Through study, observation, and her first horse’s death, she discovered she was not alone in having a horse with painful hoof-related issues. Her sharp focus led her to ask: “Why should horses be bothered with foot problems when they have survived on the planet for over 50 million years? Doesn’t all that time imply they are sturdy, resilient and well-designed?”
After seeing so many teenage horses destined to develop ailments such as laminitis, navicular disease, ringbone, splints and arthritis, Carole became committed to finding a solution. Initially, she concluded that domestication was causing the difficulty, particularly as we saddle and ride our horses. She designed and developed Total Comfort System Saddle Pads to correct uneven saddles, rider imbalance and overall sore backs. Soon, her belief in caring for horses naturally drew her attention to the hoof. Carole immersed herself in the study of hoof care and went on to design and develop Cavallo Hoof Boots in 2006.
Around this time, Greg Giles joined the Cavallo team and became the CEO. His history and years of experience in design, production, and the footwear business taught him that exceptionally high quality is imperative to longevity and customer satisfaction. Greg provides his wealth of sourcing, manufacturing, commerce, and marketing skills to continually expand the Cavallo Hoof Boots range and enrich the brand.
Perfecting the product
Carole wanted to ensure that everyone could easily use Cavallos, and she succeeded in doing just that – Cavallo Boots are a favorite among riders and horse caretakers of all ages. But Carole’s greatest joy is knowing that her life’s work serves to change the world for horses. Through education and by offering a solid product, she pulls horses out of terminal prognoses and hopeless lameness and directs them to the natural comfort and security that Cavallo Hoof Boots provide.
Cavallo Hoof Boots offer safety and protection to horses’ unshod hoofs. They enable you to ride over any terrain, at any speed. A horse and rider can move through water, mud, and bogs without risk of losing a boot or damaging a hoof. Even a horse’s hoof bulbs are protected with soft, pliable, padded leather. They are easy to size and simple to place on the hoof, with no special trims, tools or gadgets required.
Both Greg and Carole are passionate about their work and their lives. They have surrounded themselves with a powerful team of like-minded, avid experts, all dedicated to developing and delivering innovative products of excellent quality. From the start, the Cavallo mission has been to provide comfort, protection, safety, security, and support to improve the lives of horses worldwide – and that’s exactly what they’ve managed to accomplish.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Equine Wellness Magazine is North America’s most trusted natural health and lifestyle magazine for horses, and the premiere publication educating a growing audience in natural and integrative approaches to health and horsemanship. EW transcends all areas of the equine market and appeals to everyone from backyard enthusiasts to serious competitors.
