Kowhai Forge operates from the centre of the North Island. The forge is situated in Wharepapa south, South Waikato. We travel to Raglan on the west coast and Tauranga on the east coast. Cambridge, Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Matamata are all within our service area. We specialise in high end performance horses but enjoy working with a wide range of customers and all types of horses. We believe we have a new approach to soundness in horses feet. We follow four basic principles to obtain and maintain optimal soundness in horses feet. These principles are based on the natural form of the horse and not on tradition. Every breed has its own unique natural shape that we support and maintain. We are a two man team – Rob Pinkney and apprentice Ben Stevens. I (Rob) started my career serving an apprenticeship with Malcolm Telfar in Matamata. Malcolm set me up with a very solid skill base and the ability to adapt to any situation. Well as far as shoeing goes anyway:-) He also taught me “when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!” and many other words of wisdom. Shortly after my apprenticeship I went to Japan where the learning continued big time. To see so much destruction in horses feet was soul destroying and it started my mission for the good of the horse, to turn around and question traditions in shoeing. Basically it taught me what not to do and solve problems in horses feet. During this time I had great mentors from all over the world who inspired and helped me to gain knowledge and skills. Billy Crothers has great sound basics of shoeing, Craig Trinka introduced me to the proportion dividers and there were many other great farriers that helped me on my way. Sammy Aoki of the Japanese Farrier Association was also a great support. His knowledge of biomechanics and locomotion helped me see things in a bigger picture. Paul Nelson (now based in Taupo), worked with me and helped me to develop glue on techniques and was a great mate. Since 2007 I have been back in New Zealand and loving it. Also I have been lucky enough to be invited to Europe on a yearly base by horseshoeing manufacturer Werkman to do clinics all throughout Europe. This enables me to share my knowledge and keep learning and evolving. My passion is to make as many horses comfortable and performing at their best. Both in our daily work and in presenting my principles and techniques to the wider farriering industry around the world.