LeRoy Mattingly
Meet LeRoy Mattingly, Natural Barefoot Trimmer.
LeRoy was born, raised, and continues to live in Southern Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay and also makes frequent visits to the Central Texas area a few times a month. Growing up, he spent most of his free time english riding, showing, trail riding, and he even worked for a while with thoroughbred racehorses. His grandfather was a local blacksmith, as they were called back in the early 1900's. LeRoy's dad, as a young man, prepared the horses feet for shoes, held the horses and kept the coals hot by turning the bellow. So, LeRoy is a "chip off the ole block", since his mom reminds him that it was his grandfather who passed those "horseman genes" to him. LeRoy became known as a "hand" around horses, and is admired and respected by other horsemen. LeRoy always wanted to do farrier work, but was not totally impressed with the horseshoeing idea. From his experience with horses, knew that shoes become a major challenge. Shoes presented problems like becoming loose, being pulled off due to forging, damaging the hoof wall, interference from one foot hitting the ankle causing lameness, and the list goes on. So, LeRoy decided to learn the Natural Hoof trimming method, and to trim a horse the natural, wild horse way.
LeRoy is an equestrian, and has dedicated many years to the sport. He has participated in lessons, dressage, polo, showing, jumping, and even did a stint of cross country training in Ireland. Then he decided that he wanted a break from the "ring", and to ride in the open. So, he began fox hunting, or better said is fox chasing, so he became deeply involved with a hunt club in Southern Maryland. His riding ability quickly advanced him to becoming staff as a whipper-in. He found himself riding out in the open, galloping over fences, trotting in the marshes and swamps, and learning to deal with horses over water, up hills, and found himself in many difficult situations with his horse. He learned to ride for hours in the saddle, and can tell you all about the two point position.
LeRoy then met his love in Texas, but this time it wasn't a horse. Holly is a barrel racer, which meant that LeRoy better change out of those english riding breeches, and jump into a pair of Wranglers, and learn how to ride western really fast, if he wanted to keep her around. So, he did just that, by participating in western riding clinics, cattle sortings, team pennings, and can now even swing a rope. You may even see LeRoy at some of the barrel races giving Holly and her son Douglas a hand. If you do, stop and say hello, as he is a humble and kind person, and loves to talk horses.
Visit LeRoy's site, Hardy Hoof.
