Better information. Better balance.
Better outcomes for horses.
HoofScore was created to make objective lower-limb balance assessment accessible to every horse owner.
Using images captured on a smartphone, HoofScore measures key aspects of a horse’s lower-limb balance and turns them into clear scores, visual information and actionable recommendations.
The objective is simple: help owners understand what is happening before a small imbalance becomes a much larger problem.
Built from 36 years of farriery experience
HoofScore was founded by French farrier Stephan Tournier.
Stephan trained at the prestigious École Nationale du Haras du Pin in Normandy, before serving as a farrier with the French cavalry and spending the following decades working with horses in Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Caledonia.
His career has taken him from backyard horses to the highest levels of international equestrian sport, including western riding, show jumping, and elite dressage during the era of Steffen Peters and Ravel.
Across countries, disciplines, and performance levels, Stephan kept observing the same fundamental problem: poor lower-limb balance. And he kept seeing the consequences of this issue travel beyond the hoof.
Turning specialist judgement into objective measurement
For decades, Stephan assessed horses using trained observation, manual gauges, and measurements refined through thousands of hours of practical experience.
But even highly experienced humans have limitations. Perspective changes. Measurements vary because of simple things like hair length and how the horse weights its leg. People also just get tired or make mistakes.
HoofScore combines Stephan’s accumulated methodology with modern image analysis to provide consistent, near-immediate information from a smartphone scan.
After approximately a year of progressive testing and accuracy refinement, the technology reached a point that surprised even its founder. “Oh my god, this is better than me!”
Proof, not feelings
HoofScore is designed to complement the people already caring for the horse, not replace them.
Owners can better understand what they are seeing. Farriers can measure and demonstrate changes. Trainers, riders and other care professionals can work from the same information. And they can track changes over time instead of relying entirely on memory, perception, or intuition.
The result is a clearer conversation around the horse, and dramatically improved outcomes.
Why HoofScore exists
Horses compensate remarkably well when something is uncomfortable or out of balance. That natural strength can also hide developing problems. Stephan’s ambition is to give horse owners a way to see more of what is happening between the traditional extremes of sound and lame.
A chance to recognise change earlier
A chance to act far sooner
A chance to prevent avoidable discomfort
Stephan’s goal for HoofScore is straightforward: Eliminate bad balance wherever it can be prevented. And give every horse owner better evidence to make better decisions about their horse's care.