Horse Sneakers

An Austrian company has reinvented the shoe—the horseshoe, that is! Instead of stiff steel that must be nailed on, Megasus Horserunners latch onto the hoof with Velcro-like tabs. The flexible sole allows for more natural movement, according to the company.

Horseshoes protect the hooves from injuries and wearing down too fast. But every horse is different, says Steve Kraus, the head farrier (horseshoe expert) at Cornell University’s horse hospital in Ithaca, New York. Kraus has used alternative horseshoes for more than 30 years for those animals that need them. However, he’s concerned that the removable shoes will encourage owners to shoe their own horses. It’s a lot of work, says Kraus, and the casual horse owner doesn’t have the training or understanding to do it right.