Hoofwing Founders
Est. 1986
We decided to listen to the answer received from praying. We made our first pair of hoof boots in September 1986. They were crudely made but my horse was noticeably more comfortable wearing them. They gave her so much relief I was able to ride her. And so began our sojourn into making hoof boots. After a few months we noticed dramatic improvements in our horses hooves. This led us into an in-depth study of how to keep horses barefoot.
When I was horse shoer, (1982-1985), I saw many horses with hoof problems; foundered hooves, contracted heels and many other hoof problems. Most were the result of a lack of knowledge on the part of the, "professionals" taking care of horses or owners trying to follow their advice.
In 1987 we placed our first ad in the, American Farriers Journal. The ad suggested farriers offer our hoof boots as an alternative to shoeing. We were ignored.
In January 1991, after five years of research and development, we were awarded a patent for HorseSneaker Hoof boots. As we were to learn, inventing hoof boots was easy compared to selling them. I remember Mary and I talking with horse owners and Vets about how, with our hoof boots, horses did not have to be shod. Then we would watch their blank stares. A couple of times farriers threatened us with physical harm. That is how things were in 1991.
Around this time a farrier, Jamie Jackson, had been studying the hooves of wild horses. Based on his studies and his experience as a farrier he concluded that, "long term shoeing was detrimental to horses hooves". He was not the first. As far back as the early part of the 19th century an English Veterinarian, Dr. Bracy Clark proved that fact. In the late 1990's Jamie Jackson published a series of articles in the, American Farriers Journal. I remember thinking him quite clever. After all, he was able to have his articles, which were essentially against shoeing, published in a magazine devoted to shoeing.
In mid 1994 I received a telephone call from Jamie Jackson. The salient point of our conversation was him telling me, "our work dovetailed". He agreed that without an alternative to shoeing it would be impossible to keep horses barefoot. I was more than a little familiar with his analysis. A short time later we met to discuss our vision: The Barefoot Movement.
HorseSneakers were the first hoof boots made specifically for barefoot horses. There was much more to ending nailing iron shoes onto horses hooves than just removing shoes and putting on boots. But the stage was being set. Just as Mary and I had received the understanding necessary to invent boots that enabled horses to be barefoot, other people received understanding to solve different problems associated with how to keep a horse barefoot. I began to see these people as spokes on a carriage wheel. Each spoke necessary for the wheel to turn. As the wheel turned knowledge and technology moved forward to improve the lives of horses.
Since Mary and I made the first hoof boots, specifically for barefoot horses, we have been fortunate to be an integral part in the growth of the hoof boot industry. There are now about a dozen companies, in several countries, making hoof boots. The ability of hooves to be protected with boots, instead of nailed on shoes, made possible the creation of, "The Barefoot Movement". The Barefoot Movement has created jobs for clinicians to teach their method of barefoot trimming. They, in turn, are teaching horse owners how to trim their barefoot horses. In addition, many people are starting new magazines, web sites, inventing new tools, writing books, and making DVD's. Farriers and Veterinarians have been forced to increase their knowledge and offer better care and advice.
Advancements in the horse world occur slowly. Yet, in the past decade there have been major advancements in the horse world. Mary and I are fortunate to be a part of these advancements. Enlightened methods of training, hoof care and management are improving the lives of horses. No animal has worked harder and suffered more for mankind than the horse. They deserve our love and care. If your Vet or farrier ever tells you, "there's nothing more we can do for your horse, it's time to put it down", don't believe them.