Hoofjack

The Hoofjack® goes to the Luwex Hoof Symposium 2010 in Germany

The Luwex Hoof Symposium is Europe’s largest gathering of farriers and is held at theGut Matheshof – Europe’s largest equestrian center located in the Bavarian countryside at Kreuth, Rieden, Amberg, Bavaria.

Kevin and Dawn Keeler attended the event as vendors to promote the Hoofjack® in Europe and support our existing European dealers.

Kevin gave a live demonstration and lecture on the use of the Hoofjack® assisted by his translator Filip, a German veterinarian student with an interest in equine podiatry. Kevin’s main message was one of safety both for the farrier and the horse through the use of the Hoofjack®. According to the American Farriers Journal “The Hoofjack® has helped improve farrier efficiency, but even more importantly has made major contributions to farrier health and safety.” Kevin knows that health and safety are an often overlooked part of the farrier’s education and is working to fill that gap.

Prior to the event Kevin and Dawn took a few days to experience some of what Germany has to offer. After a day and a half in Munich, which of course included a visit to the famous beer garden Hofbrauhaus, they decided to head south and stayed at the Gutshof zum Schluxen in Pinswang, Austria – a quaint Austrian hotel that has wild game from the surrounding forests delivered by local huntsmen. Adding to the ambience the hotel was surrounded by fields of cows wearing bells which could be heard day or night.

From this location they were able to hike through the German forests for an hour and half to reach Hohenschwangau – the boyhood home of King Ludwig II, and Neuschwanstein – the fantasy castle built

by King Ludwig II and the basis for Walt Disney’s theme castle. The woods were

beautiful and showing their falls colors. After a full day of hiking, Kevin and Dawn decided to head to the Crystals Baths the next day where they experienced 4 hours of salt baths, steam and dry saunas in true European style.

The German architecture, countryside, and old world charm made this trip memorable but the most fantastic part of the trip was the food! There are not enough good words to describe the bread and beer, some things you just have to experience for yourself.

Next up

Equitana Asia/Pacific

in Melbourne, Australia

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Survey indicates farriers, other hoof-care professionals have benefited from quality, quantity and diversity of offerings.
On the road to putting together our list of the 35 Biggest Hoof-Care Product Improvements, we discovered several things; first of all, that it would be easy to put together a list of more than 35 products — but not quite so easy to mention 35 by brand name. We got hundreds of responses via e-mail, phone calls, regular mail and through face-to-face conversations. It’s clear that while many farriers and
veterinarians have strong preferences on tools and products, the majority of respondents appreciate and are very impressed with the wide variety of tools and products available that help them do a better job. You’ll notice that quite a few of the products and tools we list aren’t brand new. We include them, however, because one of the biggest things we noticed in responses is that farriers —
especially long-time ones — are most appreciative of the overall improvements in variety and reliability of horseshoes, tools and other hoof-care products.
Many responders said they swear by G. E. Forge & Tools, or mentioned those made by well-known toolmakers such as Jay Sharp, Jim Poor, Shayne Carter, Jim Blurton or the Roy Bloom tools distributed by Farrier Products Distribution. Others praised Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center and Diamond brand for making reliable, quality tools that won’t send a novice shoer to the poor house. MFC Tools and Nordic Forge also had their supporters. Again and again we heard from veteran farriers who recalled days when there choices of keg shoes were few. It’s clear that there is a great appreciation for the improvements and greater variety of horseshoes over the last 35 years. Aluminum shoes, steel shoes, synthetic shoes and even glue-on shoes had been tried before 1975, but it’s clear that
great strides have been made in them over the last few decades. It’s important to remember that this survey was informal and unscientific. While we have numbered the products in this list, we want to make it clear that the numbers are intended for counting, not ranking. We’ve listed the products in alphabetical order. Some are general categories of products, and others are specific products. The one thing they all have in common, is that they’ve made a big impact on the hoof-care world and especially on the work of people who responded to our survey.
1. Anvil improvements.
It wasn’t that long ago than an American Farriers Journal editor who was doing a story on anvil maintenance was told by one bemused source, “It’s a hunk of steel. There’s not a lot you can do
with it.” But in the last 35 years, that “hunk of steel” has come a long way. It’s now available in different weights and configurations, with curved horns and turning cams, with hollow cores to
make it easier to move. The names of Cliff Carroll, Donald Jones, Jim Linzey and Ken Mankel were frequently mentioned as among those who had pioneered better anvils. Farriers also mentioned improvements in anvil stands as a plus, as well as innovations as swing-out anvil stands on shoeing rigs.
2. Aluminum Shoe Improvements.
This is another one of the products that have been round for years but have made great strides during the last few decades. AlumaFlight, a shoe made by Dutchtown Forge, gets credit for being the first
fullered wide-webbed aluminum shoe ever forged and that was just the beginning. Aluminum shoes are found in just about every shoeing rig these days and are mainstays both at the racetrack and
the shoe ring. Farriers have also gotten better at working with aluminum shoes, helped in part by clinicians sponsored by shoe companies.
3. Castle Plastic Frog Support Pads.
A pad improvement that numerous respondees mentioned by name. Farriers mentioned using these pads as effective aids against prolapsed soles and for helping maintain provide frog pressure for horses working on hard ground that may help prevent frog expansion. They’re also used in therapeutic situations and — particularly when combined with dental impression material or medicated and other hoof
packings — have helped keep horses going.
4. Crease Nail Pullers.
Younger farriers are probably not aware that crease nail pullers are a relatively new innovation. This handy tool, particularly when properly used, makes removing shoes much easier and can
help prevent damage to the hoot wall from twisting nails.
5. Curved-Jaw Clinchers.
This is one of those tools that represented an improvement over a long-time standard. While clinchers have been around for a long time, the introduction of curved-jaw clinchers by G.E. Tools
is generally credited with designing the first curved jaw nail clincher, and since then, the style has become the standard and has led directly to other innovations in this tool. It’s the rare farrier who
wrings off nails and hammer clinches these days.
6. David Farmilo’s Hoofline.
This items inclusion may come as a bit of surprise to some, but not to the farriers and hoof owners who have come to rely on it. The Australian farrier’s tool is credited by many with helping take the mystery out of balancing a hoof. It’s also popular with horse owners who want to check on their horse’s feet between farrier visits. Farmilo’s tool was mentioned by farriers and hoof horse owners from both Australia and North America.
7. Digital X-Rays.
Radiographs have been used effectively for better hoof care for a long time, but the development of digital X-rays has enable veterinarians to get much quicker results and eliminated the need to develop films. Digital X-rays are also easily stored on laptop computers, allowing veterinarians and farriers to keep records handy for reference.
8. Equilox Line Of Products.
This line of adhesives and hoof-repair products are the choice of many farriers and equine veterinarians, whether for gluing on shoes, rebuilding a damaged hoof wall or protecting tender soles. Survey respondents also said they appreciated Equilox’s customer support and educational efforts.
9. Farrier’s Formula.
Frank Gravlee of Life Data Labs, an equine veterinarian, was among the first to develop and market a supplement specifically aimed at improving the health of hoof horn and the hoof. He also
worked through a network of farriers to help him distribute the product and has steadily improved the product since its introduction. His research and outreach has also helped make horse owners
more aware of the importance of nutrition in good hoof health.
10. Hoof Boots.
This is another product that had been around for a while, but respondents indicate their use has changed drastically in the last 35 years. Long popular in therapeutic situations and has a sort
of emergency “spare tire” for long trail and endurance rides, hoof boots are now preferred as regular hoof wear by many riders and more farriers are learning how to use them and stocking them on
their trucks. Hoof boot companies have strengthened their marketing efforts by offering clinics on the use and proper fitting of their products.
11. Hoof Knives.
Hardly a new product, but one that farriers are very particular about and seem especially happy with improvements over the last decade. Anvil Brand’s “The Knife,” which the company identifies
as the first American-made knife with a drop blade, has many fans. So did knives by knife-makers like Frank Ringle. The Roy Bloom loop knives, as well as loop knives in general, were mentioned by a
number of respondents. Survey respondents also spoke highly of new knife sharpening systems, which make it easier for farriers to ensure that their knives have a keen edge throughout a day’s shoeing.
12. Horse Science Hoof Models.
The freeze-dried hoof models of farrier Allie Hayes are popular items with many farriers, who say they use them to educate horse owners as well as apprentices about what’s going on inside the hoof. They
also can help take the “wet” out of “wet labs” in situations where a neater approach is preferred.
13. Kwik-Poly.
Many farriers swear by this product by Anvil Brand, perhaps the first product that could be used to rebuild damaged hoof walls.
14. Gas Forges.
Younger shoers may not fully realize just how much of a difference gas forges have made in how farriers do business. There is probably no other product that has had a bigger impact in the last 35
years than affordable, reliable and effective gas and propane forges. They have made it easier for farriers to travel from stop to stop, to get to work quickly and even to use heat to modify a single shoe
that’s being replaced.
15. Glue-On Shoes.
Glue-on shoes may not have made horseshoe nails obsolete as some people predicted they would not that long ago, but they have carved out a well-established niche in the horseshoeing world. More and more farriers are carrying them in their trucks and they’ve become staples of therapeutic shoeing and have been used on horses in the Kentucky Derby, including 2008 winner, Big Brown. Responders mentioned glue-on shoes form Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center, Sound Horse Technologies, NanRic and Ian McKinlay’s Yasha Shoes were all mentioneb by respondents. Aluminum shoes are glued on
more than any others, with many nonmetal shoes also designed with gluing on in mind.
16. Heart Bar Reintroduction.
While not strictly a new product, the pioneering work done by the late farrier Burney Chapman and George Platt, DVM, helped bring this shoe back into use for founder and navicular cases. It also
helped focus more attention on mechanical methods for fighting founder.
17. Hoofjack.
Hoof stands of various types have been around for a number of years, but the Hoofjack, the invention of Kevin Keeler of Equine Innovations, has become the hoof stand of choice for farriers around the country as well as overseas. Developed by Keeler in response to his own injuries, the Hoofjack is light enough to be easily portable, yet sturdy enough to handle the weight of the biggest horses. The Hoofjack adjusts easily to different heights, is available with interchangeable ball and flat posts, as well as cradle attachments and in sizes for everything from drafts to minis. It has helped improve farrier efficiency, but even more importantly has made major contributions to farrier health and safety.
18. Kearkhaert Triumph Series Shoes.
Ever since these shoes were introduced into the United States, we’ve been hearing about them from farriers, particularly those who shoe big Quarter Horses and warmbloods. The shoes are appreciated for
the support they give through a wider web, nail placement and the ease with which they can be modified. Triumphs were mentioned most often among those of the Kearkhaert family.
19. Keg Shoe Improvements And Varieties.
A couple of farriers who responded to the survey mentioned they could still remember when keg shoes didn’t even come in front and hind patterns. Now farrier supply shops and farrier rigs are stocked with scores of brands in a seemingly infinite universe of configurations. Some are concerned that this had let to a decline in forging skills, but more farriers seem to appreciate the variety for how it helps them do their jobs better. The only down side mentioned ruefully by some repsondents was the need to invest in additional shoe racks for their rigs. We didn’t hear from too many racetrack farriers, but Victory Racing Plate, Thoro’Bred and Grand Circuit were all mentioned by one caller.
20. Keratex Line Of Hoof-Care Products.
More than a few respondents said they are sold on this line of hoof-care products. They like the fact that the products are not oil-based and like the fact that Keratex provides what many see as a complete line of products aimed at typical hoof problems.
21. Mike Steward’s Wooden Clog Shoes.
This low-tech approach to tacking laminitis and navicular problems was mentioned by many farriers. The wooden shoes developed by the Oklahoma equine veterinarian, combined with dental impression material, has spread rapidly veterinarian as an inexpensive way for offering horses relief from laminitis. Steward has described the system at many clinics and symposiums and continues to finetune its use.
22. Myron McLane Full Support Pads.
These plastic heart bar-style pads developed by the Hall Of Fame farrier helped put the benefits of heart bar shoes into the hands of farriers who might not quite have mastered the forging skills needed to forge and correctly apply the shoes themselves. Numerous farriers who responded to our e-mail survey mentioned the pads, particularly praising how easy they are to modify to get the right fit. Other McLane-developed pads were also mentioned.
23. Natural Balance Shoes And The EDSS System.
Another controversial selection. While Gene Ovineck’s shoes and trimming system has its detractors, it also have many followers in the hoof-care community who are convinced that these shoes and the methods taught for using them have improved hoof care.
24. Noavel Headstall.
A relative newcomer, this device, invented and marketed by horseman Rick Wheat, has gained a strong following among farriers who say it helps keep them safe while working with too often unruly horses.
25. Pad Improvements.
As with keg shoes, many veteran farriers are amazed at the explosion in hoof pad configurations, materials and uses. Pick out just about any type of horseshoe and there will be a pad that goes with it — and it will probably be available in leather, plastic, urethane and several other materials as well. Shoers clearly appreciate the choices they have in pads, which they say — when combined with improved products and methods for packing hooves — enhances their ability to deliver good hoof care. Several farriers who mentioned pads also said they appreciate pad cutters.
26. Plastic and Other Synthetic Horseshoes.
We use the term “plastic” to take in a wide variety of non-metal horseshoes that have found a place on the shoeing racks of farrier rigs. While metal horseshoes still have the lion’s share of the market,
the ability to apply synthetic shoes for certain uses and surfaces has come to be expected of top hoof-care professionals. Epona Shoes, Easywalkers, Remuda Tire Co. shoes were mentioned by
people who responded to our survey.
27.  The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3).
The third edition of this textbook by Dr. Doug Butler and Jacob Butler remains the most used textbook in horseshoeing schools today, and well-thumbed and bookmarked copies of it can be found on
the bookshelves and in the rigs of countless farriers. Hailed as a comprehensive collection of horse foot knowledge, this text provides proven, step-by-step information and how-to be on everything
from assessing foot balance to treating laminitis and founder, to horseshoeing and humane hoof care, as well as how to start and run a farrier business.
28. SBS Line of Products.
We noticed an oddity on this one. Not one respondent mentioned SBS. But they did mention Hoof Armor, Save-A-Hoof and Thrush Stop, among other products by the company. Clearly, SBS products have carved out a place in hoof care.
29. St. Croix Eventer Shoes.
St. Croix shoes in general are a favorite with many farriers, who cited their affordability and reliability and the Eventer class of shoes was mentioned specifically by more shoers than any other.
30. Sno-ball Pads.
These may not be appreciated in Florida or other area of the Sun Belt, but farriers who deal with snow liked these pads and the ability they give to keep horses going in the winter months.
31. Stone Well Bodies And Equipment Shoe ing Bodies And Rigs.
Shoeing rigs have made big strides in the last 35 years and the distinctive look and solid designs coming out of Brent Chidsey’s Genoa, N.Y., headquarters got plenty of mentions from those responding to
our surveys.
32. Tool Box Improvements.
Dozens of farriers mentioned how much they prefer modern tool boxes compared to the ones typical of 35 years ago. Some appreciated taller tool boxes, others praised those with casters and wheels and everyone seemed to like less weight, better organization and the variety of choices.
33. Thrush Buster.
This Mustad product that is used for treatment and prevention of thrush and white line disease has plenty of fans in the hoofcare community. It’s also easy to identify. Several respondents used the same
description: “The purple stuff.”
34. The Vettec Line Of Products.
The color-coded tubes of Vettec products are found in most shoeing rigs these days. People who responded to our survey mentions the entire line as well as the individual products like Equi-Pak, Sole-Pac and Adhere. Vettec has also been effective in continuing to come out with new and improved products, as well as paying attention to new ways farriers come up with to use them.
35. White Lightning.
This product from Grand Circuit Products was mentioned by name by numerous respondents who have found it effective against a variety of hoof ailments, including thrush and white line disease. containing chlorine dioxide, the product is available in gel and liquid forms.

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By Dawn E. Willoughby, Natural Trimmer
Mario Chamorro, a horse owner living in Panama said, “I started barefoot trimming on my own about 3 years ago, in 2007. Since I didn’t have any guidance, I looked at the Hoof Jack™ as a non vital part of my tool set. When Dawn Willoughby came to Panama to teach a seminar this past January, she brought some stands with her. It was the missing link of my trim; it was what I’ve needed all along. I can now get very good mustang rolls on my horses’ hooves; they are even all the way around. Before I would rest the hooves on my leg, and to be honest, it is very hard to look and roll them in that position. Now I don’t even think of trimming the without the stand.”

Trimming Cliff from the bottom

Mario’s testimonial was typical of everyone I met in Panama who was new to trimming. I encouraged clinic attendees to trim with and without the stand. Learning to trim your own horse is hard enough without having him lean on you throughout the process. Horses love the stand too.
Only the two experienced farriers I worked with preferred to hold the hooves without the stand but of course they have developed the muscles for this work over many years. For novice trimmers, I strongly recommend the Hoof Jack hoof stand. I always have a few on hand at my place in Delaware and keep a few at Laura Florence’s Holistic Hoof Center in Unionville, Pa. I have tried metal hoof stands and the knock off of the Hoof Jack. They all have serious drawbacks.
Carol Delonis of Boquete Mountain Safari Tours organized my 3 clinics in western Panama for American and British Ex Patriots as well as local Panamanians interested in natural hoof care. Half day lectures, followed by lunch and full afternoons of hands on trimming made for a great 10 days in Caldera, a tropical paradise.

Louisa and baby Tornado

We worked on the beautiful horses used for safari tours as well as horses located at attendees’ farms.
Gina Cronin kindly hosted my 10 day stay at her boutique hotel, Rancho de Caldera, an Eco-tourist’s dream. I was awakened by the sun warming my toes and went to sleep with the sky filled with more stars than I had ever seen. Tropical birds visited my porch every morning sharing breakfast crumbs from my English muffin.

Piscano de Rancho

Happily they weren’t interested in my famed, organic coffee grown near by. With unlimited wind, solar and hydro power, Rancho de Caldera is off the grid. I don’t have words to describe Chef Craig’s ethnic cuisine. You will have to visit Caldera and experience it for yourself!
The trip to Panama was an experience of a lifetime I will never forget. I am already making plans for a 2011 visit with my husband.

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Mirror, Hoofjack and a grinder keep a horse with a locked knee more comfortable and a farrier safer

From the November 2009 issue of AMERICAN FARRIERS JOURNAL

Farriers frequently run into situations when they want to keep the hoof of a horse low as they trim and work on it. It’s a fairly common practice with older horses or those experiencing joint soreness or that have suffered hock and fetlock injuries. 

Kevin Keeler, farrier from New Plymouth, Idaho, owner of Equine Innovations and inventor of the Hoofjack, ran into a particularly tough situation with a retired carriage horse and came up with this innovative approach that allowed him to keep the foot low and also to work safely.

Kevin Keeler set his Hoofjack low and brought this horse’s foot forward, then used a mirror to spot his trimming landmarks on the bottom of the hoof. The retired carriage horse had a locked left knee and wouldn’t allow it to be flexed.

Here’s his description of the process. “The horse has a locked knee on the left front and will not allow any flexion (of that joint) at all,” Keeler explains. “Flexion on the sound right front seemed to painfully load the lame left front, so I needed to figure out a way to trim both fronts by bringing the hooves forward, as the horse would allow me to work on him in that position. “We had a successful trim by bringing the hoof forward and keeping the height on my hoof stand very low. I used a mirror to obtain my trimming landmarks. “The mirror made my job safer as well as faster by allowing me to see those landmarks without having to drop to my knees and put my face under the hoof. “Instead of trying to use nippers at a difficult angle and having to work only 12 inches off the ground, I opted to use an angle grinder with a 60-grit sandpaper flap disc. 

Because of the height he had to work at and the difficult angle that hoof nippers would have had to be held at, Keeler trimmed the hooves using a grinder. Note the mirror on the ground, enabling him to see his work. He tried both the post and cradle attachment for his Hoofjack and reports the post worked better.

“I tried both a straight post and a cradle to hold and stabilize the hoof. The straight post worked best because the horse was more willing to place his weight on that, offsetting the upward force I applied with the grinder. 

“When using a grinder, I always use safety glasses. The grinder turns the trimmings to power and will irritate the eyes. I also like to keep a fan running behind me to blow the hoof powder away from my eyes and nose.”

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This article was writen for and published by “The Horses Hoof”

We first learned of Jamie Jackson’s “Paddock Paradise” concept at a Pete Ramey/Dr. Bowker clinic sponsored by EasyCare last February 2007. We knew immediately that this was the answer to a feeding problem in our small herd of three horses. As soon as we got home from the clinic, we purchased the
Paddock Paradise book and began making plans.

We have two Arabians and one Morgan. The Arabs are older and do not gain weight easily, while the Morgan can gain weight on a blade of grass. The horses have access to 4+ acres of flat pasture and a dry lot the size of an arena, which is covered with crushed red lava rock (very conditioning for the hoof and drains moisture quite well). During the growing season, prior to implementing Paddock Paradise, the Morgan had to be restricted to the dry lot, while the Arabs spent most of the day out on pasture. During those times of separation, the Morgan would stand in one place for hours, never moving except to go get a drink.
That was about to change.

We decided to implement our Paddock Paradise in 3 phases. Lanes would be created inside of all the perimeter fences, along with one lane down the center of the property. Another lane would come off just one side of the center lane and connect up to a perimeter lane. The property was already fenced with wood posts and three strands of brown 1 1/2” electrical webbing. The lanes would be created with capped t-posts and 2 strands of 1 1/2” brown electrical webbing. All lanes would be 20 ft in width. We chose to use the materials we did because we have open land around us and find that the brown electrical webbing blends in with the space around it, especially if the webbing is pulled tight so that it doesn’t sag.
As you can see from the picture, there is very little visual impact, even though you are looking through six fence lines.

Because of the materials we chose to work with, it became a much bigger job than first imagined (aren’t most jobs like that!). Phase 1 and 2 took several weeks to complete. Phase 3 required us to
move an existing perimeter fence line that ran the entire length of the property. Of course, it was just after we got that fence line down that the weather turned nasty. We did not want to go outside
and finish the job, but as we were leaving soon for a week away and didn’t want to leave the caretakers with temporary fencing, we bundled up and forced ourselves to go outside. No sooner had we
started working than we looked up to see all three horses running around and around the lanes like they were a racetrack, slowing for the corners and going full out on the straight. This went on for well
over 10 minutes. We both agreed the horses had just spoken to us, and the message was THIS IS GREAT! That’s all it took to get us motivated to finish the job.

The Morgan now spends her days on the lanes while the Arabs have access to the pasture. As the Arabs move around the pasture, the Morgan can follow their movements out on the perimeter, feeling
comfortable enough to even lie down and take a nap. To encourage even more movement, the Morgan’s ration of hay is spread out over all the lanes, so that she might be getting only a few bites
of hay at a time before looking for the next mouthful. This has become our version of the Easter egg hunt! We have also done the same thing with a bag of carrots, much to the delight and amazement of the horses. At night, all thehorses come together to spend time out on the lanes as a group. Although we have not put pedometers on the horses, it is our observation that the horses move more when out on the lanes than when left to the open spaces of the pasture.
Unfortunately, we are dealing with irrigated land, and during growing season we irrigate once a week. To restrict the horses from areas of standing water, we created temporary gates of electrical webbing with gate handles that could be easily put up or removed on the lanes. It quickly became tedious trying to explain to each other where the gates needed to be as the irrigation changed location. We solved
that issue by naming all the lanes. Naming the lanes seemed to give the property an identity it didn’t have before.

One of the most unexpected and unanticipated results of this project is that it brought us closer to the property. Prior to the lanes going up, the only time we spent out on the pasture was during irrigation
season. Now, every day we walk the lanes to spread hay, often just as the sun is coming up. At night, just before bedtime, we take the dogs out and walk the perimeter of the property, often under the light of the moon. These are special times, and we give thanks each and every time we get to experience this connection to the property and the space around us.

We also would like to thank Jamie Jackson forhaving the vision to see beyond the traditional methods of horse boarding. No matter where we end up living, as long as we have horsesthat need to be confined by fences in unnatural environments, Paddock Paradise will be a part of our lives.

About the author: Dawn Crawford and Kevin Keeler own Equine Innovations, the manufacturer of the Hoofjack® and other great products.
Contact Dawn at email dawn@hoofjack.com or cell 208-484-6988;
Kevin at email kevinkeeler@hoofjack.com and cell 208-861-3798.

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Capitalism with a conscience – Kevin Keeler’s motto.
This article originally ran in the New Plymouth News on March 4th, 2009 and was written by Anne Esplin

Kevin Keeler is an inventor, entrepreneur, semi-retired farrier, and horse-lover who lives in Star, Idaho and owns a booming market based business located in New Plymouth.

The secret to his success? – Provide the consumer with a high quality product that gives back more than the cost of the product.

His business is Equine Innovations, Inc. and his product is the Hoofjack®; a lightweight but durable hoof support system that horse owners, farriers, and veterinarians can use to support a horse’s hoof while performing hoof care procedures.

Kevin first realized the need for such a device when a horse that he was shoeing collapsed on him and took out his keen. Kevin admits that he is “not the first to develop such a device’” but is quick to point out the advantages of his product. The Hoofjack® base is made of linear polyethylene and weighs only 10 lbs making it not only easy to move but hard to damage.

The Hoofjack® cradles the horse’s hoof in suspended nylon webbing allowing it to rest directly under the horse, which increases the horse’s sense of balance and well-being.

Traditionally, farriers put the horse’s hoof between their legs and support the horse with their bodies. This means the horse’s leg is pulled to the side, which can be uncomfortable for many horses and causes them to shy away during hoof care procedures such as trimming, shoeing, bandaging, hoof picking, etc.

Placing the horse’s hoof in the cradle eliminates the need to put the hoof between your knees or support it with your hands and body making hoof care far more comfortable and safer for the person involved. In addition to the Hoofjack®, Kevin also created an attachment that allows veterinarians and equine dentists to support the horse’s head during dental/facial procedures.

Kevin’s latest invention is the Tooljack® – a portable tool cart that allows for quick, easy, access to tools. Originally intended to hold farrier tools, the Tooljack® is also proving to be successful in other markets such as motorcycle and auto mechanics. Kevin hopes that professionals in these fields will find this mobile, light-weight caddy a genuine asset in their business.

What started as a home-based business in 2000 has grown to a successful operation that has five full time employees, 250 farrier supply shops distributing the product, and a busy schedule for Kevin and his wife Dawn as they criss-cross the country attending trade shows and marketing their products.

Kevin emphasizes that people should never give up on their dreams. Hard work and patience (while seeking opportunities vigorously) are keys to success. Kevin also says he believes that trust in oneself, in family, and in providence are the keys to success in the American business market.

His own experience supports that belief. While being flown into Idaho’s backcountry to shoe horses, snow and cloud cover brought the private plane down in a high mountain canyon. The crash resulted in serious injuries for the pilot and the two passengers on board, forcing them to hike five miles to safety. While that is not the kind of providential package one would wish for, the crash was a blessing in disguise because it forced Kevin to trust in his own strength and lean on his family. The settlement from the crash also covered virtually all of Kevin’s marketing expenses, allowing his business to grow significantly.

Kevin also prides himself on making a high quality, American-made product. The Hoofjack® and Tooljack® base is made in Washington State and all the Hoofjack® and Tooljack® components are custom fabricated right here in New Plymouth by Bear Mountain Machine.

Kevin points out that some companies claim to sell American-made products even though some or most of their parts are manufactured abroad. They should say, “Assembled in America”, Kevin protests. Such products are not genuinely “American-made”. Kevin is proud to say that he is helping to create jobs and boosting his local economy by manufacturing products that use American made parts and that are assembled in our small, but proud town of New Plymouth, Idaho.

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We are excited to add our Hoofjack Blog to provide our customers with the latest information regarding Hoofjack Hoof Stand! Watch for more great posts.

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