Hoofwing testimonies Pg. 2

The following is in the NC, (North Carolina), Horse News Product Review section.
December 2005 Product Review

Hoofwings

In my search for boots that I can use on my barefoot horse on rocky trail rides and questionable terrain, I have come across quite a few that would seem to do the job. Except for the fact that some of them are too bulky, do not stay on well, do not last, do not cleanup well or just don’t fit.

So, I kept searching and found the Hoofwing….these are made specifically to your horses foot. You send them an outline of the hoof/bulb area and they are made to order, not just pulled of the shelf, one size fits all.

The bottom is made of a very strong, solid polyurethane that is very sturdy and not at all slippery on any surface I have been on. As with any boot, on a paved surface that is wet, it is prudent to be careful, even with bare feet or a shod horse. The outer "wings" are a strong neoprene that stretches and doesn’t rub the hoof or bulb anywhere. They are very well made, sturdy and keep rocks and other debris from hurting the hoof/sole.

You can also order "socks" to use in the boot on the hoof (if needed), after the hoof is trimmed when the toe may be shorter.

I used these boots in creeks, through muddy areas, on gravel roads and paved roads. All in all, these were just as good as having shoes on my horse as far as her reaction to the rocky terrain. They did not slip or come off in the mud nor did water affect them. It didn’t take any time for my horse to get used to the fact that she could walk anywhere, with out feeling the gravel.

I brushed them off when I got home, let them dry out of the sun and put them up. The neoprene was easy to clean and wasn’t torn.

The company and people are wonderful to work with, very helpful and knowledgeable and will answer any question you may have.

[From an email dated 11/28/05]

Our barefoot story

Ropers by Dee Bar

Here is Roper, my 15 year old registered Quarter horse. Roper came to me in December of ‘99 recovering from a hoof abscess. I knew little about his prior hoof history and assumed my farrier could trim and shoe any hoof concerns.

Within 6 months we had graduated Roper to full pads inside his steel shoes, because the bruising and abscessing continued. We started him on bute, just so we could ride him. He would toss his shoes on an average of 2 per month, ripping a quantity of hoof wall off with each toss. By the end of our first year together, Roper’s feet looked like broken stumps. By February of 2001, I decided to try him barefoot.

This began my exciting and intense journey into learning about the barefoot horse. I talked about hooves to interested horse people and learned about hoof physiology and correct trims. I dissected and trimmed cadaver hooves under the direction of Dr. Ria Mackay who has studied under Martha Olivo, and Jan Taylor a Certified Strasser Hoof care Specialist who I met through the naturalhorsetrim listserve. I began to trim my horse’s feet.

Roper now has restored and very handsome bare hooves but still travels hesitantly on gravel surfaces. I found that he moved with more confidence if he wore hoof protection. I had purchased a pair of -------- 4 years ago, and used them both on trails and in the arena. They show few signs of wear, which is a testament to their durability. The -------- were secure and reliable but they did fit loosely at the pastern, and the outer shell made them seem wide. Although this did not prevent me from working Roper, it did cause me to spend considerable time adjusting the boot to fit snugly each time I wanted to use them. I still plan to continue to use the ------- for trail riding, but I wanted a closer fitting boot for arena work.

I wanted to try the HorseSneaker, but when I discussed this with Mary on the phone, she encouraged me to first try the Hoofwing, as my horse did not have any serious issues that might require the more expensive boot, and as my riding needs could probably be well served with the Hoofwing.

I took the time to measure as exactly and correctly as I could according to the horse sneaker web site. The photos you see here were taken the day the boots arrived, and was very pleased to see there was no more than 3/8 of an inch to spare inside the hard rubber sole. I was very pleased the fit was so refined without the purchase of a custom boot.

The protective sock-like fit around the pastern made it seems unlikely that loose pebbles would pocket their way into the back of the boot. I notice they are also designed to allow for some give at the bulb which makes the snug fit easy to slip-on.

I have not discovered all of the advantages of this boot yet, as I have only had them for a week. Since these photos were taken, though, I have trimmed the Hoofwings to the middle loop to create a tighter fit, but do not have photos of this to show you. I have given Roper several good workouts and I know these ‘wings’ will not twist while they are on his feet. They seem light and slim and offer the performance possibilities that I want. I have no hesitance pushing Roper into harder work.

Sincerely,

Christene Sandeson

[From an email dated 11/27/05]

Hi Frank

Pleased to say Felix's Hoofwings arrived last week, we fitted them and took
him out with Canon today, they were both happy with their new boots.

I have attached a couple of photos so you can see how well they are going.

regards
Rachael

[From an email dated 11/6/05]

Hi Mary,

Thank you so much for sending me the new Hoofwings for my horse, Wrangler. They are very easy to put on and fit perfectly. I have ridden him on steep and rugged trails with him wearing his Hoofwings on the front feet and your Horsesneakers on the back feet. He seems very comfortable wearing these. While riding we crossed creeks, went through mud and climbed hills. The boots stayed on and in place throughout the rides. I found no sore or rubbed places. I really like the low profile design of the Hoofwings with most of the boot being below the coronary band.

My daughter's horse, Bud, is the mascot for her high school's football team. Madeline rides him in parades and at the football games. He wears your Horsesneakers to keep him from slipping on pavement and to prevent damage to the football field. Everyone thinks he is so cute in his "sneakers"!

I have been very pleased with your Horsesneakers for this application. Bud has never slipped or lost his footing even when cantering on pavement. This gives me great peace of mind for my daughter's safety. The Horsesneakers fit him perfectly and have never come off accidentally. The material has held up great and really shows no signs of wear even after use on pavement.

Overall I am very pleased with the design and quality of materials and workmanship of the Hoofwing and the Horsesneaker. As a full time, professional horse trainer with 30 years experience, I highly recommend your product.

Thank you very much and keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Ed Dabney

Please visit the ED DABNEY Gentle Horsemanship web site at www.eddabney.com

[From an email dated 11/3/05]

Dear Frank and Mary,

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with your company in my search for the right boot for my Tennessee Walker, Jubilee! His long, skinny foot with underslung heels has been a challenge for me to find hoof protection that will stay on, not rub, and doesn't make him stumbly. The way that you worked with me and sent size after size until we found the right one for him was amazing! You never gave up, and your encouragement to me to not give up as well, kept me going. He is now blasting over the trails and is a very "happy camper" indeed! I am telling everyone I know about your wonderful HoofWings boot and your fabulous service and dedication to our horses' welfare. You are both at the top of my "Awesome People" list!

Much love and many thanks again,

Alice Morgan

[From an email dated 11/2/05]

Frank & Mary,

Update on Jacob: Jacob is now galloping out in the field with the other boys and is giving us less trouble putting the boot on his hurt foot. I think he's figured out that it feels a whole lot better on. :-) I want to thank you guys so much for providing a boot big enough for draft horses. Since his hoof is 8" x 8", we had checked around for weeks for a company that made boots big enough and NO ONE else does. I had given p finding anything until I heard from a Percheron owner in Kentucky about your boots. So now, not only is his tender soul protected but the split hoof wall from the abscess is protected from any more cracking as well. I can't thank you enough!!!!

Sincerely,

Debbie Patterson

[From an email dated 10/31/05]

Hi Frank & Mary,

WELL!!! I just cannot tell you enough what a huge success Scooter's Hoofwings have been for him, and what relief they have brought to both of us!! I got them via overnight shipping a couple weeks ago and raced to the barn to try them out. Even with the horrible outlines I sent you, they fit him perfectly. (I just now discovered the detailed instructions on the website...have no idea how I missed them). He immediately walked better on the mats in his shed but still would not go onto the gravel outside. So I put some low-carb treats in his cookie jar (to which he is addicted) and threw it out on the gravel. He was very hesitant at first, but he loves his cookie jar so he tip-toes out and figured out he could walk with no tenderness and in minutes he was chasing that toy around and around with no lameness at all and was very excited! So was I! I had tears in my eyes that he finally could motor around again. And he hasn't stopped!

I am amazed at how well the Hoofwings are constructed, and how thoughtfully they are designed. I don't imagine that with his light weight and light use they will wear out soon, but I don not want to be caught without a spare pair just in case, so please send another pair at your convenience.

I cannot thank you enough for suggestion them in the first place instead of the HorseSneakers. The Hoofwings are perfect for our application. And thank you also for all the time you spent educating me about them and how to trim properly. He is now getting trimmed (rasped, that is!) every 2-3 weeks and I really think we have finally beat the founder thing, or have at least found a perfect management plan. Thanks so very much. I'll attach a couple pictures.

Just a quick note to let you know that the Hoofwings arrived safely and we have used them successfully for the last couple of weekends. Canon accepted them straight away and we have been out for a couple of 5 mile drives.

It took a little practice but I think I now have the technique for getting them on and off reasonably quickly.

I have tried them on one of the other ponies, Felix, a 33" Shetland who suffers from Laminits and has extremely sensitive feet. He went out for a 4 mile drive today and was the happiest he has been for a couple of years.

I would therefore like to order another full set, I have drawn his feet and they are identical so Canons so would like exactly the same.

"Thank you so much for making such a wonderful product. To see Josie trot with her head held high and her ears up was a wonderful moment. She is an important member of our family and to have her comfortable again is awesome!"

I just want to let you know that you are a pleasure to work with. You are very informative and patient with people who are new to your products. I think that your ideas are the best out there. I love that you have the idea that the horse comes first! Nowadays people like that are very hard to find. I was very excited to know that even under the very short time crunch of 4 days I was still able to get my wings on time for my 2 day ride. Keep up the great ideas and ways of thinking. You are a blessing in the this world. God Bless!

Thanks for all your help and advice. We thought that we would lose our horse, Ben, when he suffered from laminitis in both front feet. He had severe rotation, and also abscesses last summer. Your Hoofwings allowed him to continue moving when his feet were so tender. Ben didn't mind wearing them at all, and was able to go out into the pasture with his friends. I think the combination of vet care, diet monitoring, frequent trims and Hoofwings saved Ben.

He was going barefoot since the spring, until he started to lose some of the old hoof wall, so we put the Hoofwings on again for protection until the farrier could get there. The new hoof wall looks good. I've gotten the OK from the vet and the farrier to ride him again. Thanks again.

Hi there Mary. You might remember my recent email to you. After 10 years in shoes, my farrier pulled all of them off of Willy, my 27 year old American Quarter horse.

He was so tender that I could hardly ride him. In fact, it was painful to watch him walk. This also affected his arthritis because he would not go out of his way to move so he got mire stiff. My supplements with the addition of H. A. helped. But what he really needed was to walk and get that circulation going.

After trying 2 other "hoof boot" products, I sent you a fax with a letter and an outline of his hooves. I was truly getting depressed about the situation and had even checked out a retirement facility for him.

Well, I received your Hoofwings late yesterday. I couldn't wait to try them on him. Today, I went down to the stable, put them on his front feet and let him roam around.

Mary, I can't tell you how pleased I am with them! He walked around very well and I decided to hop on and ride for about 20 minutes. When our ride was done, I put him in the arena with the Hoofwings on. He cantered around, tossed his neck back and forth, then took a well deserved roll.

I showed them to some of my neighbors and they were pretty impress-especially when I showed them how solid the bottom of the Hoofwing really is.

Thank you! I can't tell you how excited I am to think about riding on the trails again after a 3 month absence. Your Hoofwings have given me my horse back.

Please feel free to put this on your testimonial page because I am one happy customer!

At the barn where I board my horses many of the other boarder’s horses are barefoot. I thought this was odd but was told that it is very beneficial for the horse. I decided to have the shoes pulled from my horse. As you would imagine their feet were tender. Horse boots had to be the answer. After trying a few brands of boots, that rubbed their feet raw or just did not fit, I finally found Horsneaker Hoof Wear. I called, Mary answered the phone. I told her what I was trying to do with my horse; she did not try to sell me her product, but told me about a natural barefoot trim and where I could learn more about this trim and its benefits. I did some research and found a farrier to trim my horses. I telephoned Mary and bought Horsneakers. When they arrived I could not get them on my horse. I telephoned Mary to tell her what happened with the Horsneakers. I sent them back to have them adjusted. Mary sent me a pair of Hoofwings so I could ride my horse. What an excellent product. The Hoofwings worked out very well for me. We worked out a deal with their products. I am one happy customer.

Hi Frank

Mary said I should drop you a line and let you know how much I love the 'Wings. I've found they are absolutely the best things for hand walking, trail riding and light arena work for my barefoot boy. They're easy to put on, easy to take off, and I've put them in the washing machine and they come out looking like brand new (delicate cycle!). The pairs that I had did not have elastic, but had the buckle straps, which I liked. Cisco has a way of removing anything I put on him. I heard a tell-tale "fwap fwap fwap" as we were walking along one day, and there was a Hoofwing merrily following us along the trail: I was glad I didn't have to go looking for a missing wing!

Speaking of which, I'm missing my wings very much. I was so grateful you loaned me a pair while you were making my first pair. When mine arrived, I was thrilled! Cisco was acting a little colicky one day, not drinking water, gassy...I turned him loose in our arena to run/buck/break wind, which he did like a champ and felt much better. Unfortunately, he caught one of his wings with a hind toe and ripped the neoprene right in half. I called and asked Mary if I could have it repaired or replaced, and she told me to send the whole pair back and she'd send a new one: I didn't really understand why, but she said they were a prototype pair. Anyway, I sent them back along with another check for $154 +/- and an order for a second pair, same size (5 x 5-1/2). So now I have paid for 2 pairs, but I have none. I hope that clears up any misunderstanding. I know you folks are very busy building Hoofwings and helping the horses, and I don't mean to be a pest.

Thanks again for creating a great product. Friends at my stable are asking how they can get some, and I send them to your website.

Lisa Ekers and Cisco
Barefoot IS Better!

Hoofwing Testimonies Page 2 Back to Hoofwings Page

To all our customers; thank you. And a special note of gratitude to our customers who write, email or telephone us, on behalf of their horses, to thank us for their Hoofwings.

The following is in the NC, (North Carolina), Horse News Product Review section. December 2005 Product Review Hoofwings In my search for boots that I can use on my barefoot horse on rocky trail rides and questionable terrain, I have come across quite a few that would seem to do the job. Except for the fact that some of them are too bulky, do not stay on well, do not last, do not cleanup well or just don’t fit. So, I kept searching and found the Hoofwing….these are made specifically to your horses foot. You send them an outline of the hoof/bulb area and they are made to order, not just pulled of the shelf, one size fits all. The bottom is made of a very strong, solid polyurethane that is very sturdy and not at all slippery on any surface I have been on. As with any boot, on a paved surface that is wet, it is prudent to be careful, even with bare feet or a shod horse. The outer "wings" are a strong neoprene that stretches and doesn’t rub the hoof or bulb anywhere. They are very well made, sturdy and keep rocks and other debris from hurting the hoof/sole. You can also order "socks" to use in the boot on the hoof (if needed), after the hoof is trimmed when the toe may be shorter. I used these boots in creeks, through muddy areas, on gravel roads and paved roads. All in all, these were just as good as having shoes on my horse as far as her reaction to the rocky terrain. They did not slip or come off in the mud nor did water affect them. It didn’t take any time for my horse to get used to the fact that she could walk anywhere, with out feeling the gravel. I brushed them off when I got home, let them dry out of the sun and put them up. The neoprene was easy to clean and wasn’t torn. The company and people are wonderful to work with, very helpful and knowledgeable and will answer any question you may have. [From an email dated 11/28/05] Our barefoot story Ropers by Dee Bar Here is Roper, my 15 year old registered Quarter horse. Roper came to me in December of ‘99 recovering from a hoof abscess. I knew little about his prior hoof history and assumed my farrier could trim and shoe any hoof concerns. Within 6 months we had graduated Roper to full pads inside his steel shoes, because the bruising and abscessing continued. We started him on bute, just so we could ride him. He would toss his shoes on an average of 2 per month, ripping a quantity of hoof wall off with each toss. By the end of our first year together, Roper’s feet looked like broken stumps. By February of 2001, I decided to try him barefoot. This began my exciting and intense journey into learning about the barefoot horse. I talked about hooves to interested horse people and learned about hoof physiology and correct trims. I dissected and trimmed cadaver hooves under the direction of Dr. Ria Mackay who has studied under Martha Olivo, and Jan Taylor a Certified Strasser Hoof care Specialist who I met through the naturalhorsetrim listserve. I began to trim my horse’s feet. Roper now has restored and very handsome bare hooves but still travels hesitantly on gravel surfaces. I found that he moved with more confidence if he wore hoof protection. I had purchased a pair of -------- 4 years ago, and used them both on trails and in the arena. They show few signs of wear, which is a testament to their durability. The -------- were secure and reliable but they did fit loosely at the pastern, and the outer shell made them seem wide. Although this did not prevent me from working Roper, it did cause me to spend considerable time adjusting the boot to fit snugly each time I wanted to use them. I still plan to continue to use the ------- for trail riding, but I wanted a closer fitting boot for arena work. I wanted to try the HorseSneaker, but when I discussed this with Mary on the phone, she encouraged me to first try the Hoofwing, as my horse did not have any serious issues that might require the more expensive boot, and as my riding needs could probably be well served with the Hoofwing. I took the time to measure as exactly and correctly as I could according to the horse sneaker web site. The photos you see here were taken the day the boots arrived, and was very pleased to see there was no more than 3/8 of an inch to spare inside the hard rubber sole. I was very pleased the fit was so refined without the purchase of a custom boot. The protective sock-like fit around the pastern made it seems unlikely that loose pebbles would pocket their way into the back of the boot. I notice they are also designed to allow for some give at the bulb which makes the snug fit easy to slip-on. I have not discovered all of the advantages of this boot yet, as I have only had them for a week. Since these photos were taken, though, I have trimmed the Hoofwings to the middle loop to create a tighter fit, but do not have photos of this to show you. I have given Roper several good workouts and I know these ‘wings’ will not twist while they are on his feet. They seem light and slim and offer the performance possibilities that I want. I have no hesitance pushing Roper into harder work. Sincerely, Christene Sandeson [From an email dated 11/27/05] Hi Frank Pleased to say Felix's Hoofwings arrived last week, we fitted them and took him out with Canon today, they were both happy with their new boots. I have attached a couple of photos so you can see how well they are going. regards Rachael [From an email dated 11/6/05] Hi Mary, Thank you so much for sending me the new Hoofwings for my horse, Wrangler. They are very easy to put on and fit perfectly. I have ridden him on steep and rugged trails with him wearing his Hoofwings on the front feet and your Horsesneakers on the back feet. He seems very comfortable wearing these. While riding we crossed creeks, went through mud and climbed hills. The boots stayed on and in place throughout the rides. I found no sore or rubbed places. I really like the low profile design of the Hoofwings with most of the boot being below the coronary band. My daughter's horse, Bud, is the mascot for her high school's football team. Madeline rides him in parades and at the football games. He wears your Horsesneakers to keep him from slipping on pavement and to prevent damage to the football field. Everyone thinks he is so cute in his "sneakers"! I have been very pleased with your Horsesneakers for this application. Bud has never slipped or lost his footing even when cantering on pavement. This gives me great peace of mind for my daughter's safety. The Horsesneakers fit him perfectly and have never come off accidentally. The material has held up great and really shows no signs of wear even after use on pavement. Overall I am very pleased with the design and quality of materials and workmanship of the Hoofwing and the Horsesneaker. As a full time, professional horse trainer with 30 years experience, I highly recommend your product. Thank you very much and keep up the good work! Sincerely, Ed Dabney Please visit the ED DABNEY Gentle Horsemanship web site at www.eddabney.com [From an email dated 11/3/05] Dear Frank and Mary, I cannot say enough good things about my experience with your company in my search for the right boot for my Tennessee Walker, Jubilee! His long, skinny foot with underslung heels has been a challenge for me to find hoof protection that will stay on, not rub, and doesn't make him stumbly. The way that you worked with me and sent size after size until we found the right one for him was amazing! You never gave up, and your encouragement to me to not give up as well, kept me going. He is now blasting over the trails and is a very "happy camper" indeed! I am telling everyone I know about your wonderful HoofWings boot and your fabulous service and dedication to our horses' welfare. You are both at the top of my "Awesome People" list! Much love and many thanks again, Alice Morgan [From an email dated 11/2/05] Frank & Mary, Update on Jacob: Jacob is now galloping out in the field with the other boys and is giving us less trouble putting the boot on his hurt foot. I think he's figured out that it feels a whole lot better on. :-) I want to thank you guys so much for providing a boot big enough for draft horses. Since his hoof is 8" x 8", we had checked around for weeks for a company that made boots big enough and NO ONE else does. I had given p finding anything until I heard from a Percheron owner in Kentucky about your boots. So now, not only is his tender soul protected but the split hoof wall from the abscess is protected from any more cracking as well. I can't thank you enough!!!! Sincerely, Debbie Patterson [From an email dated 10/31/05] Hi Frank & Mary, I wanted to send a couple of pictures of Jacob and his new hoof wings. We just tried them on him tonight. It took us about 20 minutes to get the one on his hurt foot and we couldn't fit it with the sock. So we used a little bit of cotton gauze just around the top to make sure he was comfortable wearing them. The non-hurt foot wasn't a problem getting it on. We saw immediate improvement from the hurt foot, he wasn't limping over the rocks and they didn't seem to bother him at all being on his feet. We thought he might have a few awkward steps at first, but he just started walking like normal. :) He is scheduled for a trim this week and we think that will help with the using the socks. We'll keep you updated on his progress. Debbie Patterson Jacob wearing Hoofwings [From an email dated 10/24/05] Hi Mary and Frank, WELL!!! I just cannot tell you enough what a huge success Scooter's Hoofwings have been for him, and what relief they have brought to both of us!! I got them via overnight shipping a couple weeks ago and raced to the barn to try them out. Even with the horrible outlines I sent you, they fit him perfectly. (I just now discovered the detailed instructions on the website...have no idea how I missed them). He immediately walked better on the mats in his shed but still would not go onto the gravel outside. So I put some low-carb treats in his cookie jar (to which he is addicted) and threw it out on the gravel. He was very hesitant at first, but he loves his cookie jar so he tip-toes out and figured out he could walk with no tenderness and in minutes he was chasing that toy around and around with no lameness at all and was very excited! So was I! I had tears in my eyes that he finally could motor around again. And he hasn't stopped! I am amazed at how well the Hoofwings are constructed, and how thoughtfully they are designed. I don't imagine that with his light weight and light use they will wear out soon, but I don not want to be caught without a spare pair just in case, so please send another pair at your convenience. I cannot thank you enough for suggestion them in the first place instead of the HorseSneakers. The Hoofwings are perfect for our application. And thank you also for all the time you spent educating me about them and how to trim properly. He is now getting trimmed (rasped, that is!) every 2-3 weeks and I really think we have finally beat the founder thing, or have at least found a perfect management plan. Thanks so very much. I'll attach a couple pictures. Sincerely, Debbie Smith Scooter [From an email dated 10/23/05] Frank, Just a quick note to let you know that the Hoofwings arrived safely and we have used them successfully for the last couple of weekends. Canon accepted them straight away and we have been out for a couple of 5 mile drives. It took a little practice but I think I now have the technique for getting them on and off reasonably quickly. I have tried them on one of the other ponies, Felix, a 33" Shetland who suffers from Laminits and has extremely sensitive feet. He went out for a 4 mile drive today and was the happiest he has been for a couple of years. I would therefore like to order another full set, I have drawn his feet and they are identical so Canons so would like exactly the same. thanks Rachael p.s. I will send some photos of them working when I get the chance. [From an email dated 9/22/05] "Thank you so much for making such a wonderful product. To see Josie trot with her head held high and her ears up was a wonderful moment. She is an important member of our family and to have her comfortable again is awesome!" Wendy Allen [From an email dated 9/16/05] Mary, I just want to let you know that you are a pleasure to work with. You are very informative and patient with people who are new to your products. I think that your ideas are the best out there. I love that you have the idea that the horse comes first! Nowadays people like that are very hard to find. I was very excited to know that even under the very short time crunch of 4 days I was still able to get my wings on time for my 2 day ride. Keep up the great ideas and ways of thinking. You are a blessing in the this world. God Bless! Sincerely, Deanna Kafka From: Sharon Perry [sperry@ncu.edu] Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 10:13 AM To: horsesneaker@direcway.com Subject: Testimonial Frank and Mary, As you know, last year I bought a very sweet, little white mule named Buckaroo. He came to me with a bad hoof injury. He had been "hot-nailed" by a shoer in Texas and he had a leg injury as well. I decided then, I was done with shoes. I surfed the web for information and came upon your website. When I contacted you, you put me in touch with Martha Olivo. I spent a day with Martha and learned a great deal from her. This gave me the courage to trim and rasp my own. All three of my mules are now barefoot and so is my Missouri Foxtrotter Mare. I cannot tell you how happy I am with their Hoofwings! One my mules is strictly a companion and I do not ride her but the other two, Buckaroo and Snickers, and my Foxtrotter Mare, Ginger, love their Wings! They move out freely and have the protection they need. No more nails in the hoof and metal to walk on and constrict! YES! I fully intend to be a member of the shoeless, treeless and bitless movement for the rest of my life and theirs. My treeless saddle will arrive tomorrow. You are providing a really wonderful service for all equines, be it horse or mule. I will promote you wherever my travels take me and will always keep in touch. As soon as possible, I will get some pictures of my critters with their wings on and send them to you. Maybe you can include them on your website. Thank you so much for your great product and also, for all your encouragement and understanding. Sharon Perry Paulden, AZ From an email dated 6/20/05 Hi Frank- Thanks for the reply!! A sweet lady loaned a pair of Hoofwings to me for a horse of mine for a leg injury recovery who has never been barefoot. Before she loaned these to me I tried a couple of other boots both of which rubbed him or came off on day one and were unproductive. I absolutely love the Hoofwings! Thanks so much- you've made a new customer! Caroline Sankey Hello, Mary and Frank! I am writing to testify to the wonderful work you have done on behalf of the Horse! Horsesneakers are the product that gave me, an ex-farrier, and the confidence to quit shoeing horses. Now, as a Hoof Care Specialist and Hoof Care Instructor, I am happy to endorse Hoofwings for their reasonable price, ease of application, and durability. Mary, the new "sock" liners really work in making Hoofwings fit more snugly for vigorous activities. Over the last two years, I have seen you guys break your brains to figure out how to adapt a concept hoof boot design to a wonderfully humane hoof care appliance! In spite of setbacks and incredible obstacles, you have pursued excellence in your products, with exceptional regard for the animals you serve so unselfishly. Your products have contributed to the comfort and recovery of many horses I have known personally. I wish you continuing success in your endeavor to "put the Wings back on the Horse"! Thank you! Sincerely, Martha C. Olivo President, United Horsemanship http://www.unitedhorsemanship.org/ [From an email dated June 10, 2005] Dear Mary and Frank, Thanks for all your help and advice. We thought that we would lose our horse, Ben, when he suffered from laminitis in both front feet. He had severe rotation, and also abscesses last summer. Your Hoofwings allowed him to continue moving when his feet were so tender. Ben didn't mind wearing them at all, and was able to go out into the pasture with his friends. I think the combination of vet care, diet monitoring, frequent trims and Hoofwings saved Ben. He was going barefoot since the spring, until he started to lose some of the old hoof wall, so we put the Hoofwings on again for protection until the farrier could get there. The new hoof wall looks good. I've gotten the OK from the vet and the farrier to ride him again. Thanks again. Sincerely, Laura [From an email dated June 2, 2005] Hi there Mary. You might remember my recent email to you. After 10 years in shoes, my farrier pulled all of them off of Willy, my 27 year old American Quarter horse. He was so tender that I could hardly ride him. In fact, it was painful to watch him walk. This also affected his arthritis because he would not go out of his way to move so he got mire stiff. My supplements with the addition of H. A. helped. But what he really needed was to walk and get that circulation going. After trying 2 other "hoof boot" products, I sent you a fax with a letter and an outline of his hooves. I was truly getting depressed about the situation and had even checked out a retirement facility for him. Well, I received your Hoofwings late yesterday. I couldn't wait to try them on him. Today, I went down to the stable, put them on his front feet and let him roam around. Mary, I can't tell you how pleased I am with them! He walked around very well and I decided to hop on and ride for about 20 minutes. When our ride was done, I put him in the arena with the Hoofwings on. He cantered around, tossed his neck back and forth, then took a well deserved roll. I showed them to some of my neighbors and they were pretty impress-especially when I showed them how solid the bottom of the Hoofwing really is. Thank you! I can't tell you how excited I am to think about riding on the trails again after a 3 month absence. Your Hoofwings have given me my horse back. Please feel free to put this on your testimonial page because I am one happy customer! Sincerely, Jennifer and "Willy the Wonder horse" Lee San Francisco, CA March 14, 2005 Dear Frank and Mary, At the barn where I board my horses many of the other boarder’s horses are barefoot. I thought this was odd but was told that it is very beneficial for the horse. I decided to have the shoes pulled from my horse. As you would imagine their feet were tender. Horse boots had to be the answer. After trying a few brands of boots, that rubbed their feet raw or just did not fit, I finally found Horsneaker Hoof Wear. I called, Mary answered the phone. I told her what I was trying to do with my horse; she did not try to sell me her product, but told me about a natural barefoot trim and where I could learn more about this trim and its benefits. I did some research and found a farrier to trim my horses. I telephoned Mary and bought Horsneakers. When they arrived I could not get them on my horse. I telephoned Mary to tell her what happened with the Horsneakers. I sent them back to have them adjusted. Mary sent me a pair of Hoofwings so I could ride my horse. What an excellent product. The Hoofwings worked out very well for me. We worked out a deal with their products. I am one happy customer. During the process of doing my research I had the good fortune to speak with Frank also. Both Frank and Mary shared their knowledge freely, way beyond any costumer service that I have experienced. Their service went so far that I took pictures of my horse’s hoofs and they made suggestions on where my horse was with this new trim. It seemed like this is my first horse. I have owned horses for 25 years, just never barefoot all year long. Thank you so much for all your help. My horse’s gaits are so smooth with the Hoofwings; they stay on and don’t rub. Hoofwings are so easy to put on, just a great product. Sincerely Ray Mustion [From an e-mail dated August 23, 2004] Hi Frank Mary said I should drop you a line and let you know how much I love the 'Wings. I've found they are absolutely the best things for hand walking, trail riding and light arena work for my barefoot boy. They're easy to put on, easy to take off, and I've put them in the washing machine and they come out looking like brand new (delicate cycle!). The pairs that I had did not have elastic, but had the buckle straps, which I liked. Cisco has a way of removing anything I put on him. I heard a tell-tale "fwap fwap fwap" as we were walking along one day, and there was a Hoofwing merrily following us along the trail: I was glad I didn't have to go looking for a missing wing! Speaking of which, I'm missing my wings very much. I was so grateful you loaned me a pair while you were making my first pair. When mine arrived, I was thrilled! Cisco was acting a little colicky one day, not drinking water, gassy...I turned him loose in our arena to run/buck/break wind, which he did like a champ and felt much better. Unfortunately, he caught one of his wings with a hind toe and ripped the neoprene right in half. I called and asked Mary if I could have it repaired or replaced, and she told me to send the whole pair back and she'd send a new one: I didn't really understand why, but she said they were a prototype pair. Anyway, I sent them back along with another check for $154 +/- and an order for a second pair, same size (5 x 5-1/2). So now I have paid for 2 pairs, but I have none. I hope that clears up any misunderstanding. I know you folks are very busy building Hoofwings and helping the horses, and I don't mean to be a pest. Thanks again for creating a great product. Friends at my stable are asking how they can get some, and I send them to your website. Lisa Ekers and Cisco Barefoot IS Better! [From an e-mail dated 7/17/04] Good evening, Mary, I want to thank you for sending Zena her Hoofwings yesterday. We received them this morning. My personality does not lend itself to being overly optimistic, especially in the face of such a devastating disease as laminitis...However, I wanted to let you know right away that she has already began to think less about where she is placing her feet as she strolls around the meadow and is thinking more about just being a horse! It is the first time in two months I have seen her use her feet normally. I am astounded at the difference the Hoofwings have made in her overall body posture as well as in her use of her feet. I am trying to be realistically hopeful, yet I am hopeful. I will keep you posted in her progress. Thank you for offering a product that has given my horse immediate and substantial relief. God bless and thank you again, Sincerely, Amy Walbert and Zena [ From an e-mail dated 07/27/04] Hello Frank, my name is Laura Vaughan and I'm the gal who has the filly that got Potomac horse fever last year. Due to the effects she got laminitis and rotated on both front feet. Martha Olivo has seen her and the x-rays just this month at the 10 day clinic I attended. At the clinic I was introduced to the Hoofwing Boots and tried them on Natan. There was an immediate change in the way she stood. Her main problem was she would walk on her toes and would not put weight on her heels. But for whatever reason she felt she could do this with the Hoofwings on. So I then got a hold of Mary and purchased a pair of these boots. I want to thank you so much for your efforts in these boots. I love them. I will send pictures soon ok! This one is just so you can see what she looks like. I'll send boot pictures in the next couple days. God Bless, Laura

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