Horse and Pony-Inspired Hoof Shoes and Boots..

Have you ever wanted to express your inner horse, from the ground up? Here are some wild, crazy and very inventive examples of shoes that look like hooves. Some are objects of art and others are actually meant to be worn--but I doubt they are very comfortable!

For the sake of completeness I have also included shoes with a more bovine look and various other kind of cloven hoof, with some other animals shapes included at the end--but most of the examples given have an equine inspiration. If there are any that I have missed, please let me know!

Iris Schierferstein created "hoofs" (2005, shown above) from actual dead horse parts. Other versions by the same creator come in brown, or with gold high heels shaped like a revolver called "gun hoofs" (also in a black-and-white version).

A faux replica of the same basic concept was commissioned by Betfair and available for around $2000 a pair to raise money for a prostate cancer charity. They are mean to be quite comfortable, but I am not really convinced.  I mean, I haven't found any candid shots of customers actually wearing them.

See also:a cow version by an unknown maker (2009) and these shoes made from hoofs sold as dog chews (2011).

Some designers get a hoof like appearance on a relatively wearable shoe (well, wearable for high heels). For example:

• A.F. Vandevorst (2009)--They are only really hoof-looking rom the front.
• Marjan Pejoskiboots (2009, pictured)--You can see a candid shot of some one wearing them here.
• BCBG Max Azria (2009)
• Antonio Berardi (2008)--heel-less "pony" sandals.
  
• Christian Louboutin (2011)--Made out of horse hide, but with no actual hoof....
  
• Christian Siriano (2011)--On the scale of thing, not a ridiculous shape... but still responsible for toppling a lot of runway models.
  
• Unknown (2011)
• Cloven shoe (unknown)
• Martin Margiela hoof shoes (unknown)

Alexander McQueen's shoes are kind of in a category in themselves. They are called hoof shoes but there is less of a literal "hoof" shape and they look more like a claw. The shoes appeared on the runway in 2008-2009 and have pretty much fallen out of fashion now--and not many people miss them.

Many handmade hoof shoes have been made for costumes of just for fun. If you want to make your own this should give you lots of ideas. Here are examples of all sorts of inventive approaches below, and also links to step-by-step tutorials at the bottom of this page.

iamdolleyes (2007),Unknown (2008),Unicorn hoof boots (2009, shown right),ZellaL (2009),Unknown (2009),Briana Barber (2010),suzanziballetheels (2011),Horseking (2011),Ed Kline (unknown),Unknown (unknown)

There are also some commercially available options including: Gypsy Rose (in development, see also: 2009 design) and Costume hooves (Rubins Costume Kingdom).

Some designs go beyond just dressing up the foot to simulating an entire equine leg.

Kim Graham designed a version of 'digitigrade' legs (2009, shown right). They were picked up by Weta Workshops and used in the new Hobbit movie.

A different design was employed in the Underworld movies. And various rather more home-made version can be found online, such as these by Osara.

For a more distinctively equine version see the costume design by Elizabeth Whting for a production of Equus by the Auckland Theatre Company. (I a not sure if this is a full digitigrade design but it looks like it might be.)

• Hand hoofs by Beetlecat (2009)
  

These extreme shoes have nowbeen seen on the feet of celebrities including:

• Lady Gaga (Noritaka Tatehana no-heel and McQueen boots)--Which have on occasion caused her to fall on her face.
  
• Kelis (designer unknown)--see also these hoof boots paired with a pink cat suit. Quite the distinctive look!
  
• Victoria Beckham (Antonio Berardi hoof boots, 2008).

And finally here are some examples you couldn't actually wear, but that are going for the same idea.

• Roxanne Jackson (2010)
  

Skin

If the hoof shape doesn't do it for you, you can simply gets some normal boots made out of authentic horse-hide--such as these made by Azzedine Alaia (2010) and these platform boots.

Heads

Machu Picchu make a pair of shoes shaped like pony heads and Tetsuya Uenobe does the full unicorn.

Tails

And if you don't want to wear uncomfortable high heels, you might like Zjef van Bezouw's boots which get their equine effect with a jaunty tail, And in an interesting combo, Masaya Kushino, made several models of heel-less (pony) boots that also have a pony tail--although in this case with a more human-hair appearance (example pictured right).

Mane

These Nicholas Kirkwood shoes look like the have a mane, courtesy of some goat hair.

• Camel foot boots: Spiral Tabi