Just a few lines to tell how these shoes and pour pads have helped me help a lot of horses. I've been using HOOF-it plastic shoes and medicated pour pads at the Bhighterdays Horse Refugee in Pipe Creek Texas on 2 very laminatic horses. The horses are no longer laying down all the time and are starting to grow good horn. These horses were shod in 8mm HippoPlast wedges and saw almost imediate improvement. Now we are presented with a horse that is pre naviculer this with 3 xrays and no diognostic blocks. I go over the horse real good and determane the feet are very dry and contracted... again Hippoplast 8mm wedges and soak the feet. This horse is in the high dessert of New Mexico. Three days latter the folks are poneying colts on him... 6 weeks later the foot has opened up so much that the old shoes are to small and we go to flat shoes. Bill Mc Donald BWFA Farrier

By Cyndee Pryor

What an experience! Greg and I arrived a day early to rest the horses after our long journey across two states from California to southwest Utah. Camp was nice with a few trees, sandy footing, showers, horse water, and outhouses. Anne and Dave Nicholson were courteous and welcoming. For the most part, about 75 to 80 riders started each day with a very high completion rate. The weather co-operated with us, but on day three in base camp we had a sudden hail storm which the riders missed out on the trail. We had applied Hoof-it before leaving home, and after a quick check to make sure all eight hooves of our two horses were covered, we started day one with much anticipation. Luckily for us, the ride started a little late as we forget to reset our clocks forward by one hour. The scenery was gorgeous with the Red Rocks providing a spectacular view. Besides the sandy soil and the Red Rocks, it felt like we were in the California Sierras most of the time. The footing was rather rocky and we re-applied Hoof-it to seven of the eight hooves after day one. Each day progressed into the next with the main difference being the accumulation of tiredness. Greg and I stayed in the back of the pack as Greg weighs in at 270 pounds with tack and I was on a fairly young horse who hadn’t even done two days in a row before. Greg did manage to finish all five days on the same horse and I finished day 1,2,4, and 5, giving my horse day three off. All the days were large loops with lunch being out of camp so we prepared crew bags which were taken out to lunch for us. Usually lunch was about 25 miles into the ride with great views, green grass for the horses to munch on, horse water, people lunch provided, and great vet checks. Most of the days were pretty technical and a seasoned horse sure helped. Some of the trail was following the side of a canyon, some of the trail took you right up to the edge of a mile long drop off with a birds eye view of the Red Rocks. There were places where the trail was on the side hill of a shale rockslide, but everything was passable with common sense and no sense of urgency - meaning slow down, dismount, walk your horse in hand, and pay attention. When it doubt, check it out! It wasn’t an easy ride on horse or rider. Some days we would climb up to 9500 feet, drop down to 6500 feet, climb again to 8000 feet, and repeat this process many, many times during the day. Other days we would follow the side of the mountains around one bend to the next, and after doing this about six or eight times, wonder if we would ever get to lunch. This is not a ride you would want to get hurt on. Many places it would have been tough to get you or your horse out. But the Duck was always aware of where his ducklings were, what they were up against, and remained a calm and commendable leader throughout the course of the week. There were quite a few rock sore horses by the end of the ride and some didn’t get to finish all five days. Ours looked great using Hoof-it for the duration of the ride. Some of the riders were using Easy Boots which worked ok, but some of the Easy Boots were pulled off in the bogs and muddy areas. We re-applied Hoof-it after some of the more rocky days, but after using it at home and on the single day rides, it was an easy job after we came in from the trail. Great ride, great trail, great company, and I’m glad I found Hoof-it.

Dear HOOF-it Technologies: My mare was diagnosed with “Navicular Syndrome”. One day I noticed that her stride had become short and stabby like. We took her to the vet for a full examination and x-rays and sure enough she was diagnosed with “Navicular Syndrome”. The vet prescribed meds (isoxsuprine) that were given to her religiously but she still seemed too uncomfortable to go back to her regular workouts. After looking on the internet I found your HOOF-it plastic horseshoes and was eager to try them. I bought a pair and gave them to my farrier to put on. My farrier is a bit of a traditionalist and gave me a cross eyed look but after some convincing he went ahead and put them on. Much to our amazement she walked out of the cross ties a different horse. We put her on a line and her movement was night and day. Her short and stabby stride became once again free and long. She has now been able to go back to regular work and has even been shown in the childrens hunters. I know she will never go back to the 3’6 ring but she is comfortable and happy. Who could ask for anything more? Thank you for making a horseshoe that just makes sense! Sincerely, Ann Alexander

I received my HOOF-it II repair kit and used it that day. She trotted out almost sound the next day. I turned her out and let her bruise heal while I was on vacation. The HOOF-it repair kit helped support and protect her hoof while she was healing. Thanks!

I began using plastic shoes on my draft horse that kicked himself in the side of the foot as his confirmation was base narrow and because of the weight of a steel shoe. In looking for alternatives to protect him from brushing, I found HOOF-it horseshoes in draft size and tried them.   I noticed so much growth in his feet and that he was so much more comfortable , moving more fluid, and yes he stopped brushing and injuring his hind leg. I began to try them on my cross country and event horses and haven't gone back to steel since. The plastic shoes contribute to increased hoof growth. This gives the farrier more hoof to work with if the horse needs correction in his hoof.  The shoe flexes, this creates more circulation in the foot and a healthier foot. The shoe flexes and this protects pasture mates form injury of serious kicks from steel shoes, but protects the using horse from hard surface or stone bruises. I've had one thoroughbred with under-run heels for ten years. With plastic shoes and my certified farrier's expertise in trimming and setting the shoe, he has grown upright heel for the first tine in 10 years! I love plastic horse shoes. People ask if there wear as well as steel. I actually had them re set three times on my draft horse. He weighs about 2500lbs. We were doing trail rides and arena work with him. I think they wear better than steel. Thank you Hoof-It! Christine Amber, owner/trainer www.equestriantraining.com

Minneapolis Police Mounted Patrol

Thank you for your help in addressing the concerns of the Minneapolis Police Mounted Patrol Unit regarding shoes for our horses.

When I first contacted you, we were preparing for protests related to the International Scientists of Animal Genetics conference that was being held in our City. We were looking for a shoe for our horses that would provide proper grip on the wide variety of surfaces our horse's encounter, as well as flexibility and durability.

We received our order in less than a week and our Farrier had no problem putting the shoes on. The test would be how they held up during the protests. During the protests, we had other Mounted Patrol Units from other agencies providing mutual aid. One of the things we noticed immediately was the fact that our horses had much less slipping than the horses from the other agencies that were using steel shoes, barium shoes, or a combination (steel with barium tips).

Our horses definitely had much better footing, which was a great advantage! The shoes have been extremely durable while remaining flexible, which is healthier for the hoof.

We are very pleased with the performance of your HOOF-it shoes and plan to continue to use them in the future. Thanks again! I look forward to meeting you soon.

Sincerely,

Officer Angela M. Dodge Minneapolis Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit Coordinator

Dear HOOF-it, I am writing to you about Bo Jangles, my 12 year old registered quarter horse gelding. Bo was purchased this spring and was slightly tender to pincers on all four hooves when purchased. This tenderness did not reflect at all in the ring or on the trail once you began a course of corrective, conventional shoeing. All this changed dramatically in the June when Bo Foundered. Bo had been turned out to pasture, apparently the pasture was too rich in clover, and Bo gorged himself and became sick. When Bo was first seen by us after foundering, he was ready to go down under his own weight and simply could not stand to bear weight on any of his hooves. You responded quite promptly to our call for help and did corrective shoeing, incorporating special shoes and a rather miraculous product called HOOF-it II Hoof Repair Kit. This resin product was used by you to cover the hoof wall and to protect the frog and pad. Immediately following re-shoeing, Bo was substantially relieved. It was miraculous to see the difference a few hours could make where the intervening time was spent properly diagnosing and treating the problem with products which truly performed as well or better then represented. You have followed up twice with Bo since he foundered and the results are truly spectacular. I was working Bo on the ground within two weeks of the foundering problem and riding him within three weeks. Your regimen called for keeping him active and he was able to maintain a high level of activity with HOOF-it to protect him. You have re-shod Bo twice since he foundered and Bo's recovery is truly miraculous. I ride my horse regularly and have taken him on four and five hour trail rides over fairly rough terrain with absolutely no recurrence of symptoms. Bo is very reliable, very sturdy mount thanks to you excellent care and HOOF-it. I have personally thanked you a number of times for the excellent care you have given this horse and thought writing this letter would be helpful and a testimonial which you might share with other clients. Thanks again.  Yours very truly,  Joseph I. Cronin, Esq.

Dear HOOF-it: I'm writing to express my thankfulness and good fortune in running across your wonder product. I have a 20-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare who had foundered and continued to have foot problems. We tried to keep her comfortable with regular shoeing, but with no luck. We tried trimming her and leaving her without shoes, which only made matters worse. This is where HOOF-it came into the picture. I had my blacksmith shoe her again, but with one major change - we used HOOF-it. With the HOOF-it, we were able to build her foot up and hold the shoe firmly in place. This allowed her front feet to finally grow properly. The positive results were immediate. After two weeks she was doing fine and walking comfortably. HOOF-it is a tool that all horsemen should know about. I've bred, owned and trained thoroughbreds for over ten years and I have rarely found a product that is worth passing on to others. This product really works, and it is easy for the average horse owner to use. My hats off to you and your great product. Thank you, Charlene Touzet Thorson, KY

I want to express my sincere gratitude for all you have done for “Brudder”. Brudder performed well at a very large NCHA show last weekend. He competed against 28 horses in his class, most a third of his age. In fact, at 23 years of age he brought home a check. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the expertise and innovated HOOF-it products you brought to the table in making Brudder comfortable on his feet. I think you have a sense of Brudder that I have long had myself, he is a great individual and deserves the best in his old age, and I have the best in you and your HOOF-it products. Dianne

Somken Up Lee (Smoke) is a 22 year old own son of Mr. Gunsmoke who has had careers in cutting, jumping and now dressage. He's been way above average in all three sports, and though he's proven himself to be "golden", he does have one problem... he does have BAD FEET. They are thin and shelly, and after a full summer and fall of competition, his feet are so broken up my shoer has to be quite clever to even find a place to put nails to hold a shoe on.   Enter the glue shoe and HOOF-it!! My vet, shoer, and I felt he needed to go barefoot for the winter, but being very flat footed and tender without shoes he couldn't be ridden. We decided to try a glue shoe and keep ridding. It was suggested that I have Steve Samet take over as he did most with the glue shoe in my area. To make a long story short... Steve has found a way to help keep glue shoes on. HOOF-it is an incredible product for helping in many situations, this being one. He brushed HOOF-it over the glue shoe, thus helping hold the shoe on, and in doing so he stabilized the whole hoof capsule, gave the foot lots of support, and Smoke traveled and performed well... he was one happy camper, as was I. Now going to summer, we have a healthy, not so toey foot that should hold a shoe until winter when I certainly will use HOOF-it and glue shoes once again. Many thanks to HOOF-it, Steve and Sean for their help!!!