About Us

Est. 1986

Each Spring my Morab mare would founder. By the time I learned that lush young grass was the cause— her hooves were deformed. Mary's Quarter horse mare had navicular syndrome, probably due to her genetically small hooves. Our farrier and Vet told us, "There is nothing more we can do. It's time to put them down". Mary and I would not accept that our beloved horses had to be put down because the farrier and Vet did not have the knowledge to help them. That's when we decided to help our horses. We reasoned that hoof boots could help them. The only hoof boots available were sold as a, "spare tire" for when a horse lost a shoe. I wanted our boots to replace horseshoes. Back then that idea was anathema. We made our first pair in September 1986.

When I was horse shoer, (1982-1985), I saw far too many horses with hoof problems; foundered hooves that curved like bananas, contracted heels from improper trimming and shoeing, high heels, long toes and dozens of other hoof problems. Most were the result of a lack of knowledge on the part of the, "professionals" taking care of horses and advising horse owners. Some were from neglect.

In 1987 we placed an ad in the, American Farriers Journal. The ad asked farriers to offer our hoof boots as an alternative to shoeing. When I think back I'm embarrassed by my naïveté.

In January 1991, after five years of research and development, we were awarded a patent for HorseSneaker Hoofboots. 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 the blank stares enter their eyes as their brains tuned us out. On a few occasions a farrier overheard us. We were threatened with physical harm! That is how things were only 15 years ago.

Jamie Jackson studied wild horse hooves. 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!

About mid 1994 I received a telephone call from Mr. Jackson. The salient point of our conversation was him telling me, "our work dovetailed". And 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 visions. Most of which became, The Barefoot Movement.

HorseSneakers were the first hoof boots made specifically for barefoot horses. There was much more to ending the; nailing iron shoes onto horses hooves anachronism 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 keeping horses 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 approximately 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 created jobs for clinicians to teach their method of barefoot trimming. They, in turn, have taught hundreds of people to trim barefoot horses. In addition, many other people have carved out new businesses and jobs. New magazines, web sites, tools, books, DVD's etc. Farriers and Veterinarians were 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 have contributed to them. Enlightened methods of training, hoof care and management are improving the lives of horses. No animal has worked harder for and yes, 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.

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