BIG is a 17.3 hand registered appaloosa quarter horse. BIG was originally trained as a dressage horse. He pulled a hamstring and could no longer compete. He then was used as a barrel racer until he foundered as result of hot shoeing burning through his hoof sole, which is how Mark came to know BIG. 

BIG's future was bleak as he was in constant pain due to foundering. His owner relinquished ownership to Mark hoping he could help give BIG a second chance. Mark told his family, "When you look into this big guy's eyes you can tell he hasn't given up yet, there's plenty of life left in him." Mark brought BIG home in September of 2012.  

Mark began a series of steps to rehab BIG's hooves including regular trimming, six months of hoof casting, and finally transitioning to barefoot in hoof boots. Hoof boots became problematic because they needed to be left on all the time in order to keep him sound. Hoof boots didn't allow for airflow, causing thrush. However, his sole continued to be sensitive and susceptible to getting abscesses when his hoof was left unprotected with hoof boots. As a solution to this problem, Mark decided to modify his hoof boots allowing for long term wear AND airflow.

Silky is a 15 hand registered quarter horse mare. Silky was originally trained as a western pleasure horse. Silky sustained a traumatic shoulder injury, resulting in founder.  

Her owner relinquished ownership to Mark in June of 2012 hoping he could help give Silky a second chance. Mark surprised his wife and daughter who were out of town with Silky's arrival. Upon meeting Silky, Jenny & Abby fell in love with her sweet disposition and solid mind. Silky found her forever home!