Caillan lives in Montana. She has a 15 year old BLM Mustang named Calliope (AKA Cali) whom she adopted and trained herself 9 years ago. 5 years ago Caillan and her mom saved a 6 year old Arabian cross mare from the kill pen. Her name is Mercury’s Retrograde (AKA Mercury). Once they brought her home she popped out a little bay filly! Her name is Mercury’s Secret (AKA Secret). These three horses are her whole world. Caillan alternates riding all three of them and is often accompanied by her two dogs on trail, Bia and Flynn.
Renegade hoof boots have been in the family for a while. Caillan’s mom started using Renegades 14 years ago. Caillan joined the Renegade team exclusively in 2025, and now can’t imagine a riding career without her trusty hoof boots!
Caillan uses Renegades for endurance, trail riding and multi-day backcountry pack trips. Luckily, Caillan’s horses have naturally really tough, healthy hooves and none of them have ever worn metal shoes since she has owned them. Her horses are able to ride barefoot on most trails, but she boots up when the trail is particularly rocky or when endurance rides require it.
Caillan says her favorite thing about using Renegade hoof boots for her horses is the freedom and flexibility to ride anywhere at any time
Caillan told us "It’s the best feeling to know that my horses always have proper hoof protection throughout the year without having to wait on anyone else’s schedule."
"I also never have to worry about paying for steel shoes every 6 weeks when I can buy a set of boots that may last me and my horses years. Anything that saves me money and allows me to ride as much as possible makes me really happy!"
Her three horses have been barefoot since Caillan has owned them
Caillan used to put shoes on her first horse for endurance, but switched to barefoot with hoof boots to try and save money. Her mom taught her to trim her own horse, and she also took a barefoot hoof trimming class with Pete Ramey. Learning how to trim her own horses has given Caillan a more complete picture into the health of her horses, which is of the utmost importance to her.
Because she trims her own horses, Caillan has even more freedom and flexibility on when she can ride. Being her own farrier, Caillan does not have to rely on anyone else’s schedule and can fit in more frequent trims as often as needed for her horses. She also has a lot of pride in knowing more about the health and wellbeing of her horses' hooves.
Caillan loves that she will always be learning from horses, and believes that Horsemanship is never finished, and an always evolving trade
She loves the quote “Horses are the best teachers.”
But Caillan thinks that perhaps the most valuable thing she has learned from her horses, is that they can save your life.
At the end of 2025, Caillan lost her mom to cancer and inherited her mom’s horse, Miss Mercury. Caillan’s love for horses was a gift from her mom, and Caillan has spent her whole life around them. Every memory Caillan has with horses was because of her mom.
Grief has been the most difficult thing Caillan has ever had to navigate, as her mom was the most important person in her life. When everything had seemed pointless, she leaned into her mom’s horse for comfort.
Although everything reminds her of her mom, Caillan cannot imagine a life without her horses. They have always been an important part of her life, but now so more than ever. She believes that horses give purpose, they bring light and joy, and they allow you to travel and see parts of the world in a way most people don’t get to experience. Caillan hopes to experience many more miles with Mercury in the future in honor of her mom.
Caillan likes to ride brideless on mountain trails with her mustang, Cali. But mostly she loves to run and go fast 😄
Something most people are concerned about when they ask about hoof boots is whether or not they will hold up for technical rocky terrain with water crossings and mud. Caillan has definitely put these boots to the test in the backcountry, but the ultimate testimony to their durability are all the endurance riders competing 50+ miles at a time in their Renegade hoof boots.
Caillan’s goal is to compete in more endurance rides with her mom’s horse Mercury, and focus on furthering and refining Secret’s training. Her ultimate Bucket List goal is to one day finish the Tevis Cup.
And of course; always ride more, worry less!
You can follow Caillan's barefoot rides (and gallops!) on Instagram at @caillann or on Facebook at Caillan Hammond
Here's one more photo of her lovely mum:
