Better Than Barefoot

First, the news: 

Due to economic times, we at HoofArmor have decided to reduce the price of the Starter Kit $10.00...back to our old price of $79.95. 

HoofArmor, LLC has finally moved to:

HoofArmor Acres

153 Groff Road

Bechtelsville, PA 19505

We are planning weekend clinics here when the weather warms.

There is an Australian movie coming out about barefoot horses. 

Here is a preview...

http://www.myspace.com/nakedrunningfilm 

I am back from The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race . I will update the results as I hear, but HoofArmor has helped one horse get consecutive 6th and 3rd places, and several others complete consecutive 50 mile rides. Read the Testimonials Page...

I feel HoofArmor has finally been proven to me...the worst skeptic. In the first three days, four horses finished 50 mile rides each using HoofArmor in place of horseshoes or boots over some of the toughest terrain anywhere (independent opinion) and with thorough vet checks. I did nothing special in application; just applied HoofArmor the same way I always do every night before the ride. Anyone can do this...

http://sfthorserace.com 

Why does my horse want HoofArmor®  Hoof Protection?

- Hooves get continually stronger rather than dependent.

- Hooves look good year-round...no seasonal changes.

- Better circulation for healthier hooves.

- More natural movement.

- HoofArmor works with any trimming technique. 

- No nails to weaken the hoof wall.

- No horseshoes to fall off at "the worst time".

Clinton Anderson
Horse Trainer/Clinician

Horse & Rider, "Is Barefoot Better?"
"With the right trimming, there's no reason to shoe. The feet don't change overnight -- I've found it takes anywhere from six months to a year for them to fully make the transition -- but when they do, they get hard and strong and tough enough for most any kind of riding."

John Lyons
Horse Trainer/Clinician

Horse & Rider, "Is Barefoot Better?"
"You don't need shoes just because you ride a horse, and leaving shoes off is ideal for forming a healthier, stronger foot.

Pete Ramey
Farrier & Hoof Care Instructor

Horse & Rider, "Is Barefoot Better?"
"Because the bare foot is such an effective blood pump, the horse's heart doesn't have to work as hard. Endurance riders have known this for a while -- it's why many of them use boots instead of shoes: Their horses recover faster."
"Trimming barefoot riding horses demands a higher level of intuition and competency. A horseshoe or a hoof boot can hide even the most serious errors in judgement (for a while). A mistake on a barefoot riding horse will tell on you in a heartbeat!"

Some HoofArmor Questions and Answers:

 Q: What is HoofArmor?

A: HoofArmor is a tough and durable, yet flexible protective coating used in place of horseshoes. Applied to the sole and hoof wall bottom edge, and the frog and heel bulbs, it simply protects against wear and chipping and abrasion. Because it is flexible, it doesn’t restrict the natural expansion of the hoof. HoofArmor will work with any trimming technique because it is a thin durable coating.

Q: How long does it last?

A: On typical use (trail riding, ring riding) it lasts from trim to trim, or about six weeks. Then it is trimmed off with the excess hoof and reapplied. However, riders have successfully completed 50 and 100 mile endurance rides over all terrains and 50 mile wagon train over roads.

Q: Does it protect against stone bruising?

A:   HoofArmor is like moccasins for your horse. The key to stone protection is a thicker sole; more thickness between the stones and the sensitive sole. HoofArmor is used to protect the sole from wear while it grows thicker and tougher. HoofArmor will protect against any penetration but, being flexible, will not completely prevent bruising.

Q: How is HoofArmor applied?

A: HoofArmor comes in a two part dispenser and is pre-mixed as it comes out the nozzle. HoofArmor is spread with the spatula in a thin coating and, if needed, cured with a heat gun. A cartridge should do at least 8 hooves.

Q: What is it made with? Is it toxic?

A: HoofArmor’s ingredients are a trade secret, but it is essentially a non-toxic epoxy base. The main ingredients of this formula are approved by the U.S. FDA for contact with food, another ingredient is actually used in food and is an all-natural antibacterial agent, and, of course, a lot of Kevlar®  the inert bulletproofing material.

Q: Does it seal the hoof from breathing?

A: Contrary to popular belief the hoof below the live coronary, from which it grows, doesn’t breathe. The hoof is nourished from within.  Recent U of Penn studies showed that the cells of the outer hoof are denser to seal it.  The hoof itself makes a varnish coating as the hoof grows out that maintains the moisture level (about 25%) in the hoof wall. HoofArmor just does the same on the bottom. Year round use of HoofArmor will maintain the same moisture level and the hooves will look great all the time.

To Buy HoofArmor:

Local Distributors:

Southeastern U.S.A.: Marie Pruden www.hoofarmor.net or phone number # 803 230 8330

Kansas Area: Leah McGregor www.hungarianhorse.com  or Phone: 620-432-1322

Arkansas area: Betty Miller Jones: phone number # (479) 665-2733 or bjahc@madisoncounty.net

Missouri Area: William Bahn: phone number # 573-450-7976

Southern Florida area: Bo Brewton: phone # 239-450-0953

Louisiana and Texas: Suzy and Larry Sutton: phone number # 318-243-0168 or 318-243-5426

Tennessee area: Terry Silver Cell 901-268-1127

Wisconsin and surrounding area: Cindy Hoffmann, Healthy horse Distributing Phone number: 262-675-0808 or email: healthyhorse@sbcglobal.net

Vancouver Area (Canada): Dolores Elliason Phone number: 604-290-2014 or Email: doloresandtaz@yahoo.com

Quebec Province (Francais): Chantal Patenaude phone: 418-455-3650 or

Australia: Stephen Brinkworth: stevebrinkworth@yahoo.com.au  

In the U.K.: www.atlantic-equine.co.uk

Farriers from anywhere: Equilox International

From here:

Credit Card News: You can now buy HoofArmor through PayPal (the most secure on the internet) using a credit card without having to start a PayPal account. When it asks you to log in to your account, just click on "Continue checkout". and keep going. 

HoofArmor Starter Kit includes: An application DVD in the Starter Kit with a dispenser, 50 ml cartridge, 8 mix nozzles, spatula and written instructions. 

The HoofArmor Refill kit includes: 50 ml cartridge, 8 mix nozzles and a spatula.

Note: The 50 ml cartridge included with each kit should be enough to coat at least 8 hooves. This ends up costing about $5.00 per hoof.

Note on the DVDs:  Due to time and money constraints, I can no longer include all three DVDs in the Starter Kit. Please order separately. The HoofArmor Application DVD is included in the Starter Kit. These DVDs enable a horse owner to either care for their own horse's hooves, or show someone else how to do it. You save money and/or take control of your horse's hoof care.  It is a revolutionary method of conditioning and maintaining the hoof so that it can become the best, toughest and healthiest it can be.  It's very simple, no mystery; I'd rather keep it simple and not waste your time. I hope you're bored...:>)

The HoofArmor System 101: Introduction to HoofArmor is a live demo including the trimming technique, the HoofArmor application, and a question and answer section. 

The HoofArmor System Natural Trim DVD is just the uncomplicated trimming technique; very close-up and descriptive, that allows anyone to maintain their own horse's hooves.

The HoofArmor Application DVD is a detailed demo of just the HoofArmor application, close-up and descriptive, that anyone can do (and have been). 

If you have a DVD player earlier than 2001 and you can't read the HoofArmor DVD, try downloading the Roxio Reader at: http://www.roxio.com/en/support/ecdc/software_updatesv4_2.jhtml

As with all my products; if you don't like it, send it back and I'll refund your money. 

To buy HoofArmor using PayPal click on "Buy Now":

To buy HoofArmor using your credit card see note below:

Description	Stock #	Price
Hoof Armor Starter Kit	1000-100	$79.95
Hoof Armor Refill Kit	1000-20	$39.95
HoofArmor Natural Trim DVD	1000-35	$20.00
HoofArmor 101 DVD	1000-45	$20.00

HoofArmor now can take all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Call David at 610-960-6439, give me your information and your HoofArmor will be on the way. Thanks.

Enjoy Barefootin' Naturally.

NEW Telephone Number: 610-960-6439

 

       International Phone: 011-44-789-492-8499

FAX : 1-484-214-0201

NEW Postal address :

153 Groff Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Electronic mail :

General Information:  fryerdt@dejazzd.com
Sales: David Fryer 
Alternate Email:  hoofarmor@yahoo.com

News:

    The HoofArmor Hoof Care System is adding new hoof trimming tools to its product offering: a new hoof patented nipper designed especially for women and people with small hands and for one-handed use; and a new hoof rasp design.

    The new nipper design is 1/2 the weight of standard nippers. They have surgical stainless steel handles; replaceable blades made out of the best surgical stainless steel available (440 C: a razor edge and won't go dull); and they are spring assisted to not only open one handed, but will only open so far (30 degrees).

    The new rasp is 1/3 the weight of standard hoof rasps, and also has stainless steel replaceable blades that won't clog. It takes very little pressure to rasp with these.

       The new hoof care tools are being built in prototype right now, but will be in production and available very shortly.  Stay tuned to order. Thank you for your support.

Really Exciting News:

HoofArmor used for White Line Disease Research:

I wanted to put this on the front page before it goes to the testimonials page:

This is the mare with the horrible feet.  See how much better they are?  The farrier couldn't believe it.  He hadn't seen her feet since last Sept. when he put on shoes.  He said she had abscesses, holes in frogs, thrush, white line disease, etc.   Couldn't believe that I sealed it all up in HoofArmor and it disappeared.  He wants to attend the seminars.               Betty

November 1, 2005 before HoofArmor treatment:

December 5, 2005: Trimmed and Curing HoofArmor:

January 6, 2006 after two months of HoofArmor:

More News:

1) The new HoofArmor Starter Kits will include an Application DVD. A word of warning: as HoofArmor is very simple to apply, the Application DVD is boring. If tired, it may put you to sleep.

2) The new HoofArmor formula is now tested and available. Besides setting up faster, the new HoofArmor is not only FDA approved for contact with food, but includes an all-natural antimicrobial, antibacterial agent.

Information about this new formula is at:

http://www.resins.com/resins/am/pdf/RP4047.pdf    

and

http://www.purac.com/ufc/file/purac_sites/9aa005f8797caa85dc4b1a77fcb83a59/pu/natural_active_ingredients.pdf

      The new formula is a 4:1 ratio rather than the old 1:1, so if you order a refill kit, please let me know you also need a new plunger for your dispenser.

    Research continues on a similar formula which will cure without an external heat source (heat gun). Field testing is going on now to ensure that it is really ready for the protection horses' hooves need to become as good as they can get.

2) HoofArmor now can take major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. I haven't quite figured out how to put it on the site yet, but you can call David at 610-960-6439, give me your information and your HoofArmor will be on the way. Thanks.

The HoofArmor Hoofcare System

 The HoofArmor system of hoofcare is intended to work with nature to encourage the hoof to be as strong and healthy as it can become. The hoof is a marvel of complexity developed over generations for amazing functionality. We believe hoofcare should be simple and conservative.

HoofArmor hoof protection is simply an adhesive coating to protect the bottom of a horses hoof from excessive wear and chipping. It is more flexible than the hoof so it is not restrictive.  HoofArmor allows natural expansion for optimum circulation and hoof health. HoofArmor protects the hoof while it becomes stronger.

As every hoof is different, the HoofArmor trimming technique simply and conservatively balances the hoof to its natural conformation by learning to read the hoof and allowing it to tell us what it needs.  

HoofArmor hoof protection is part of a hoof maintenance system that includes proper trimming and conditioning of the hoof for continual improvement of appearance and performance just as we would condition the rest of the horse.

Enjoy barefootin' naturally.

Hoof Armor® hoof protection (U.S. Patent #6,231,972) is an easily applied adhesive coating that horse practitioners or owners can utilize to protect horse's hooves against abrasion and wear, and to furnish hoof protection for unshod horses. The HoofArmor Starter Kit contains a dispenser, a 50 ml cartridge of HoofArmor®, eight static mix nozzles, a spatula and instructions. The Refill Kit does not include the dispenser. A HoofArmor 50 ml cartridge should coat 8 to 12 saddle horse hooves.

HoofArmor is designed to help strengthen your horses hooves, rather than weaken them. Like the natural varnish coating the hoof naturally secretes on the top of the hoof, HoofArmor coats the bottom with a flexible thin layer to retain the hoof's moisture keeping hooves healthy in any environment. Unlike horseshoes, HoofArmor protects the sole of the hoof which is the part that gets stone bruised. Unlike metal or plastic horseshoes, HoofArmor is more flexible than the hoof itself and will not restrict the hoof's natural expansion. Unlike horseshoes, HoofArmor is only a thin, clear coating that allows the natural beauty of a barefoot appearance while protecting the hoof from wear. Unlike horseshoes where the shoes are nailed on every six weeks or so and the hooves are not maintained in the interim, HoofArmor is part of a hoof maintenance plan that includes proper trimming and conditioning of the hoof for continual improvement of appearance and performance, just like one would do for the rest of the horse.

For best results when applying HoofArmor, particularly in the transition from horseshoes to barefoot, trim hoof wall level with the sole, and do not thin the sole by cutting it concave. Rasp all edges smooth and rounded. After cleaning and preparing the surfaces, apply a bead of HoofArmor on the bottom of the hoof. Spread a thin coating of HoofArmor over the bottom of the hoof wall, the sole, and a little up over the edge onto the top or dorsal surface. Horses transitioning from shoes to barefoot show an immediate improvement in stone sensitivity, but may take two or three HoofArmor applications (trim cycles) to develop their best stone protection.

Barefootin' Your Horse:

    Unlike horseshoes, HoofArmor protects the sole of the hoof; the part that gets stone bruised. The thickness of the hoof sole is the key to stone insensitivity, just like humans; think of walking over stones with socks versus boots. HoofArmor can be used in a progressive conditioning program to enable your horse to comfortably and safely go barefoot. Along with a proper trimming routine where the sole is not carved concave and all hoof wall edges are rounded, HoofArmor is used to help the sole grow thicker enabling it to help the hoof wall support the horse's weight and to provide protection from stones. Besides the protection from wear and chipping provided by the HoofArmor; the sole support, by distributing the weight over a larger area, will prohibit the hoof wall from cracking and chipping. After horseshoes are removed, it may take as much as two or three applications of HoofArmor over as many trimming cycles to grow enough sole thickness for the horse to be insensitive to stones and sharp surfaces. Remember that the HoofArmor System is a constant improvement and will keep getting better for the future of your horse's hooves.

    Just because your horse takes a mis-step every so often, doesn't mean that he is lame or generally tender over rocks. He's just saying," Ouch, that was a sharp one" and avoiding stepping on something that could damage his hoof. We do the same thing. Now that your horse can feel his feet, it is natural for him to protect them by not putting all his weight on something sharp. Make sense?

To read more theory and research click on:

HoofArmor and Hoof Research

To see the Hoof Armor application sequence click on:

HoofArmor Application

To see the Hoof Armor Patent click on:

HoofArmor Patent

To read some testimonials and 

see photos of HoofArmor results

please click on Testimonials

Some uses:

- Any time lightness and flexibility are desired.

- Any time horseshoes are not desired.

- Horses whose hoof walls are thin, chipped, broken or shelly.

- Race Track, Hunter Jumper or Dressage.

- Gaited horses in off season to preserve hoof growth.

Some Advantages:

- Lighter more flexible than metal or plastic horseshoes.

- No nails to come loose, no shoes to lose.

- Can be applied where metal horseshoes are difficult to use.

- Can be applied by horse owners.

- Can be reapplied at any time.