There's plenty new under the sun these days. Consider a new line of 3-d hoof appliances (dare we call them mere "horseshoes"?) from HoofTech, a computerized-design lab for horseshoe applications in California. The metallurgy specialty for this company is application of high-tech aircraft-grade aluminum alloys for support shoes, especially exaggerated wedges, like a thick, curvy 5-degree aluminum wedge shoe, or this four-cornered heart bar.
HoofTech encourages customers to place orders for custom shoes, made to specification in pairs. You could call this service "custom engineering" of your own line of nailable or glueable shoes. Who knows? Maybe that 4.25-degree wedge with a 3-d bar and rolled toe you've been drawing on napkins will soon be on its way to you...by the case!
High-tech HoofTech shoes are in use on the West Coast and headed your way this spring. According to the company, they've had terrific success with Quarter horses and have already notched their belt with a championship.
I'm looking forward to seeing these shoes on a horse! I didn't ask if they can be made with a belly, but it seems like computerized milling stations can create almost anything.
Maybe someday instead of forging contests, farriers will have milling station design challenge contests.
These shoes could also become support bases for hoof boots to make an elevated appliance for a tendon injury or post-surgery, for instance, instead of a patten bar.
Has anyone out there tried these?
I'm looking forward to seeing these shoes on a horse! I didn't ask if they can be made with a belly, but it seems like computerized milling stations can create almost anything.
Maybe someday instead of forging contests, farriers will have milling station design challenge contests.
These shoes could also become support bases for hoof boots to make an elevated appliance for a tendon injury or post-surgery, for instance, instead of a patten bar.
Has anyone out there tried these?
