Goodsmith Grows with Its Testers – A Comprehensive Report from A to Z

Hello everyone,

my name is Harald Homeier. I am a qualified mechanical engineering master craftsman and have alongside that completed training as a barefoot hoof care specialist according to Natural Hoofcare and F-Balance. I am also a certified hoof boot advisor. I have been riding for 15 years and own two horses of my own. In addition to trimming the hooves, hoof boot advice and the sale of hoof boots are also part of my services. I have been testing the Goodsmith hoof protection since July 2017.

The initial hoof situation of my test mare was barefoot / hoof boot. She has arthrosis.

Adjusting the base plate to the hoof is easy: take measurements, saw out the outline, weld on the tabs, done! Fitting the Goodsmith on the hoof requires careful work; above all, the hoof wall must be perfectly prepared.

Conclusion from 2018:

"Wow, my wife (who, incidentally, is also an equine osteopath and rather sceptical about hoof boots) and I have just come back from the first test ride. The horse moves brilliantly; in contrast to some other hoof boot models, a very pleasantly soft, cushioned, very quiet hoof placement. She moves better from her shoulder and shows considerably more action and a better 'stepping under'. She moves much more with impulsion. They held perfectly in trot and canter. Minimal signs of use even in canter on very hard ground. Even moving narrow at the toe was no problem. Sits like a dream, the horse is comfortable and feels good…"

A lot has happened since then; the Goodsmith has, thanks to many feedback rounds from us testers, been adapted, optimised and improved again and again. During this time I particularly liked the fact that the people at Goodsmith listen to their testers and also accept criticism. The result is a hoof protection that can be perfectly adapted to every hoof by the hoof care specialist, a flexible system including the tabs, which does not restrict the hoof mechanism and yet provides sufficient hold and support in the heel area. I am still extremely enthusiastic about the Goodsmith!

We have now been testing the latest version of the Goodsmith with the new tabs for 6 weeks. The gait pattern is still ingenious. With the Goodsmith my horse has a very, very good, dynamic way of going, with good break-over and good heel landing. The break-over point can be modified on the Goodsmith to suit every horse — of course that's fantastic for me as a hoof care specialist.

I also have no concerns about using the Goodsmith as permanent protection in special hoof situations, since, among other things, nothing can rub. It can also be padded to support / strengthen the frog, for example. Especially as a rehab shoe, the GS therefore becomes a great alternative for my clients. I will definitely add the Goodsmith to my offering.