Custom hoof boot
Thus began the journey of Egzona Acifi, a passionate product designer with a deep understanding of equestrian sports. While still a student, she developed the first draft of an innovative horse shoe. After graduating, she revisited the idea, this time with the goal of making it a reality. Through the Pro Helvetia funding program and in collaboration with Formlabs, she finally found her way to MAKRA PRO. There she met Matthias Krabel, whose experience and enthusiasm for the project laid the foundation for a successful partnership.
Together, they pursued the goal of developing a horse shoe that was not only functional, but also sustainable and horse-friendly. The shoe had to be easy to put on, offer a perfect fit, and be durable and resource-efficient thanks to replaceable soles. The challenge was to combine creative ideas with practical feasibility, always with the welfare of the animal in mind. Through open communication and mutual respect, the team succeeded in finding innovative solutions that met both the technical requirements and the needs of the horses.
The result of this collaboration is a tailor-made, 3D-printed horse shoe that impresses with its sophisticated construction and sustainable materials. A planned online configurator will allow riders to enter individual measurements and easily order the perfect shoe. This project demonstrates how an idea can transform into a product that sustainably changes equestrian sports and focuses on animal welfare.