We were really impressed when, looking for suppliers, Equi-Thane's General Manager/Vice President Frank Rovelli gave us a personal visit in 1996. We were impressed because, being located in such a remote area, we just don't get a lot of personal visits. Actually, there were plenty of hoof repair products available at that time and we really didn't think there was room for another. Then, Frank started to talk, explaining how Equi-Thane was non toxic, odor free and didn't need to be refrigerated. Now he had my attention. He went on to explain how, compared to the dental acrylics that were currently being offered, the urethane technology of Equi-Thane offered the farrier a material more closely resembling the natural hoof. He concluded by saying that after 15 minutes the material could be nailed, rasped, nipped or clinched just like the natural hoof, without damaging the repair material. That was it, we were sold, signed up, and became one of Equi-Thane's early suppliers.

Now, it takes a good sales team as well as a great product to make it all work and that would be the sales/tech. group consisting of Frank Dugan, Cal Chilton and Tab Pigg. Extensive travel to clinics and contests enabled them to personally meet the farriers in the industry ensuring that the product solved their problems and met their needs. They soon found out how resourceful farriers were. Equi-Thane was now being used for much more than simple hoof wall repair. Heel build-ups, toe extensions, and gluing on shoes all became the norm.

Equi-Thane's philosophy is to work closely with and listen to the farrier to foster new product development. An excellent example was the introduction of Equi-Pak. Originally designed to be a quick set filler under pads, they soon discovered farriers were using it without pads! Using Equi-Pak without pads enabled farriers to fill to ground level, providing cushion and support over the entire ground surface. The results on laminitic horses were profound, ultimately leading to the development of Equi-Build, a firmer material. Then came SuperFast Hoof Adhesive. This new product allowed hoof care professionals to create a custom shoe in just 30 seconds. They could change heel angle without wedge pads and create custom foal extensions.

The latest member of the Equi-Thane family of hoof care products is Adhere. Adhere is designed to glue on steel, aluminum, and most plastic shoes and can be used for any hoof repair project. It has an initial set-up time of one minute and a final cure of six minutes. While setting hard with superior bond, it retains the flexibility at the quarters and heels necessary for gluing on shoes as well as hoof wall repair.