A HOSPITAL anaesthetist and a farrier are to take the equestrian world by storm with a silver-infused oil they cooked up in their kitchens.

The hoof oil uses the antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of silver to prevent horses getting foot infections.

Richard Hixson, a consultant at Darlington Memorial Hospital, and master farrier John Stanley invented the product, Silverfeet, after a chance conversation between them.

As a farrier, Mr Stanley, from Brompton, North Yorkshire, regularly saw the effect of equine thrush on horses’ hooves, which in severe cases could lead to lameness.

At the same time, Mr Hixson was conducting research into coating medical paperwork with a solution of silver to prevent cross-infections in hospitals.

Mr Hixson, from Great Smeaton, said: “We were walking across a field watching the kids on their ponies and John turned round to me and asked if there was anything he could add to a hoof oil that would prevent them getting thrush on their hooves.

“I was doing some research at the time into adding various substances to paperwork in hospitals.

“I wasn’t happy with the substances I was using and was running some similar experiments looking at using silver in the paperwork.

“We went from there and just started making the substance in our kitchens.”

The idea for Silverfeet was born, and within a year the product has been finalised, tested and produced and they have been inundated with demand from across the country.

They had to move production from their kitchens when demand quickly grew and find larger premises.

Mr Hixson’s wife, Helen, and Mr Stanley’s wife, Caroline, quickly learnt new skills in production, sales, marketing and design.

The two women also create the hoof oil during the day and label and pack the product on an evening.

Top international showjumper Paul Barker also helped with the development and testing of the product, along with another leading showjumper, Sophie Fawcett, who are both based in North Yorkshire.

It was created from natural ingredients so it can be used daily as a preventative balm.

Since coming up with the idea in October last year, the team have had interest in the product from Europe and already have 26 shops in the UK stocking their product.

For more information visit: silverfeet.

co.uk