ABOUT
The HUSK
HUSK was conceived when my Thoroughbred Tia developed lymphangitis after using neoprene lined boots for the very first (and last) time, resulting in permanent scarring. It was then that I realised every horse is also prone to the same trauma and the ambition to create fully breathable products began.
The HUSK
was born when my Thoroughbred Tia developed lymphangitis caused by neoprene boots, resulting in permanent scarring. This inspired me to create safe + breathable products for horses.
LOUISE BUTCHER
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
I have been riding since I was 3, and always had a love for horses! In fact my ballet teacher told me that if I could perform ballet on a horse then I would be the best ballet dancer that she had ever seen! I exchanged posters of film stars for horses all over my bedroom wall, I dreamt of horses when I woke up in the morning and before I went to bed at night.
I got my first horse Monty when I was 20, after having ridden the horses and ponies that no one else wanted to ride or look after for 17 years of my life! My parents promised that once I had completed university and found a job, they would buy me a horse, so I did just that and the rest was history.
WHAT MAKES
The HUSK DIFFERENT?
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MADE IN THE UK
ButtonSince 2021 we have source our products and create our products in the UK. This allows easy, fast communication and direct access to suppliers and manufacturers, aiding in quality control and boosting our home economy.
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KIND TO THE PLANET
ButtonWe mainly use up-cycled fabrics and we maximise our sustainability by minimising off-cut waste. By sourcing our materials and making our products in the UK we cut our carbon footprint down hugely by not using Asia and the Far East for manufacturing.
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SCIENCE BACKED
ButtonThe HUSK products are are tested under veterinary surgeon supervision using thermal imaging and case study reviews.
PATENTED TECHNOLOGY
Registered Nutritionist
HORSE
THE STORY BEHIND THE HUSK
The other part of me has always been entrepreneurial, and a solution finder. Having worked for pharmaceuticals, I worked my way up the ladder to creating marketing strategies and solutions for countries all over the world, which satisfied my creative, solution orientated side. Although my mind was always searching for more solutions to find and create!
My horse Tia was a sensitive thoroughbred, she couldn’t wear leg protection due to reacting to her own sweat, causing her to scar. Coming from a scientific background I enjoyed reading about medical research, and read many clinical papers that spoke of the dangers of over heating horse tendons and muscles. With both in mind, I refrained from using leg protection on my horse in fear of over heating, and searched unsuccessfully for a boot that offered protection without over heating. I also searched for a product that had been tested to prove any breathable, cooling claims that were made, and again felt unsuccessful.
Whilst I was pregnant with my second child, I had come across a 3D material that boasted of being thermoregulating, and investigated into whether this material could be used to make leg protection for horses in the form of exercise boots to prevent over heating. After much discussion with professional riders and vets, and producing and rejection of samples, the first boot was made – the HUSK schooling boot. This boot has been the foundation of our portfolio, which extends now from boots to saddle cloths and rugs.
THE STORY BEHIND THE HUSK
The other part of me has always been entrepreneurial, and a solution finder. Having worked for pharmaceuticals, I worked my way up the ladder to creating marketing strategies and solutions for countries all over the world, which satisfied my creative, solution orientated side. Although my mind was always searching for more solutions to find and create!
My horse Tia was a sensitive thoroughbred, she couldn’t wear leg protection due to reacting to her own sweat, causing her to scar. Coming from a scientific background I enjoyed reading about medical research, and read many clinical papers that spoke of the dangers of over heating horse tendons and muscles. With both in mind, I refrained from using leg protection on my horse in fear of over heating, and searched unsuccessfully for a boot that offered protection without over heating. I also searched for a product that had been tested to prove any breathable, cooling claims that were made, and again felt unsuccessful.
Whilst I was pregnant with my second child, I had come across a 3D material that boasted of being thermoregulating, and investigated into whether this material could be used to make leg protection for horses in the form of exercise boots to prevent over heating. After much discussion with professional riders and vets, and producing and rejection of samples, the first boot was made – the HUSK schooling boot. This boot has been the foundation of our portfolio, which extends now from boots to saddle cloths and rugs.
THE HUSKS ECO COMMITMENT
Based in rural Devon, UK, surrounded by nature, HUSK are passionate about the environment.
We operate as sustainably as possible mainly using local materials and manufacturers to minimise our carbon footprint, as well as recyclable materials and plastics. All our products are made with a rip stop 3D material. The outer layers are porous, and allow for airflow in and out, as well as across the layers. These two layers are held together by a network of monofilament fibres, like a 3D spider’s web!
This 3D web traps the air, and the movement of the horse forces the air to move through the layers, almost like a wind tunnel. This aerates the horse’s skin constantly whilst the material is against its skin, and any excess heat or water rises up and out of the external porous layer, protecting the horse from overheating, and from staying wet for too long!
The 3D web also spreads force of impact better than denser materials like neoprene, which concentrates the impact to the area at which is was applied, or hard materials that are conduits for vibration.
The excitement for the product has been phenomenal and worldwide. Our UK and Global patents are in, and we are spreading the word as far as we can to protect our horses’ and ponies’ future, as well as create a legacy for our children with our business, and hopefully be an example to others that dreams do come true.
ETHICALLY MADE
We know everyone by name, and we work with family businesses. We pay fair prices for the production of our products as we know this turns to fair pay for the our stitchers, cutters and designers.
RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
Our products are cut using knives shaped to our patterns rather than laser to minimise air pollution. We manufacture 2/3 of our kit less than an hour from where we live, and source our fabrics the same!
MINIMAL WASTAGE
We know everyone by name, and we work with family businesses. We pay fair prices for the production of our products as we know this turns to fair pay for the our stitchers, cutters and designers.
LA IRENITA X THE HUSK
A year into business I had the privilege of meeting international polo vet Dr Jorge MacDonough, and we shared stories of our passion for finding a solution to leg protection for horses that was light, protective, and non-heating. It was then that HUSK moved to another level, as we worked with Jorge and his son Pablo (a world class polo player) to create a boot for polo.
Two years into working on the boots, we were met with tragedy as Jorge passed away. Jorge’s nephew Jacinto told me that the day before he passed he told him that we must push on with the development of the HUSK boots, so we all knew that it was important to finalise these designs and create a legacy for Jorge.
In the summer of 2018, the designs were complete, and HUSK performed a road trip around many of the polo yards trialling the boots for fit, stability, protection, and performance. We were given the green light! We called the boots La Irenita Sport Air boots, after Jorge’s stud and polo team in his honour.
That year at the Argentine Open, we launched the boots, and Jorge’s son Pablo was the first to step onto the field with his horses kitted out in La Irenita Air Sport Air boots. The rest is history! We now proudly kit out all of La Irenita horses, as well those belonging to other polo legends such as Adolfo Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero, Hilario Ulloa, Facu Sola, to name a few…..
WHY HUSK?
TEMPERATURE REGULATING
HUSK breathable horse boots are tested with thermal imaging for temperature control during and after exercise. Our saddle pads are also tested through case study reviews, and our cloths are tested for sweat marks after rigorous exercise.
IMPACT TESTED
Our axe test shows the comparison of the effectiveness of our boots against competitors both on boot integrity and ability to absorb force away from the soft wood below.
QUICK DRYING
Our boot material does not hold water and becomes self drying whilst your horse continues to move. Therefore they do not gain significant weight to aid comfort and performance. If made dirty, we recommend hosing whilst still on your horses leg and left to dry. Alternatively you can remove the pad or boot and hose on your field gate.
WHY HUSK?
TEMPERATURE REGULATING
HUSK breathable horse boots are tested with thermal imaging for temperature control during and after exercise. Our saddle pads are also tested through case study reviews, and our cloths are tested for sweat marks after rigorous exercise.
IMPACT TESTED
Our axe test shows the comparison of the effectiveness of our boots against competitors both on boot integrity and ability to absorb force away from the soft wood below.
QUICK DRYING
Our boot material does not hold water and becomes self drying whilst your horse continues to move. Therefore they do not gain significant weight to aid comfort and performance. If made dirty, we recommend hosing whilst still on your horses leg and left to dry. Alternatively you can remove the pad or boot and hose on your field gate.
HOW TO CLEAN OUR BOOTS DAILY?
MACHINE WASHING INSTRUCTIONS
All products are machine washable, and also scrub up pretty well with a pressure hose! They dry in up to 30 minutes. No more hanging sweaty gear up for days on end to dry!
- Machine washable on normal 30 degree cycle.
- Hose wash regularly over machine wash
- Shake out & brush away hair prior to wash for best results
- We advise washing in a wash bag
- Pull into correct shape whilst damp to maintain shape during drying.
- Please ensure the washing machine drum is large enough to safely accommodate the size.
- Please ensure all velcro is closed firmly prior to washing.
- Air dry away from heat source (do not tumble dry)
