Horses will be horses!
On January 1998 Gary and Jane's horse, 'Blaze', developed an abscess in the rear hoof. After receiving treatment from their local veterinarian, they were informed that covering the hoof with a boot would aid healing.
The vet suggested a hard soled boot, which unfortunately did not fulfill their needs. From their experience, the problems encountered were as follows:
- The boot was hard to fit and made the animal sore due to squeezing required to put the boot on.
- A complete fit was not achieved resulting in mud and dirt getting into the infected site.
- As the boot was designed for a front hoof it caused pain, which resulted in the horse shortening its gain causing over-reaching and damage to the boot strap.
Boots were sucked off in the muddy conditions in the paddock .
After fitting and losing 3 boots in 8 days it was time to look at less costly alternatives. A relatively expensive locally made canvas boot with buckles and straps was tried and was found to be easier to fit to the hoof. However, it would not stay up the leg and slid down causing discomfort. Other boots had some positive features but often created some discomfort or other problems.
For sometime Gary had been making neoprene backpacks for cyclists, board sailors, and hikers.
With this in mind he decided to design a treatment aid boot, which was light, flexible but also durable, easy to use and effective in helping the animal to heal. The Hoofeeze treatment aid horse boot evolved from these frustrating beginnings.
The original treatment boot was entered in the Inventions section of the 19- Agricultural field days at Mystery Creek, Hamilton , New Zealand . The judges were suitably impressed and Gary was awarded with a prizefor bestinvention.
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