Testimonials
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We have tried the COBIT & we absolutely love it! It has helped tremendously, and we couldn't be more thrilled.
Standardbred Trainer - Deborah Daguet
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I was having trouble with my good rodeo horse being unsound, after some X-rays and the COBIT she has been 100%. I have been able to compete on her all season thanks to the COBIT.
Lacey Mcnutt-Jordison
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An Interview with Jenn Webster
Jenn Webster of the Western Horse Review Interviews Ross. He has been a farrier for her, personally, in the past.
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Before Lars became my farrier, my horse struggled with intermittent lameness for nearly two years. Since Lars has been shoeing him over the past year and a half, my horse has remained consistently sound. The COBIT has made a significant difference, allowing my gelding to stretch and move in ways I never thought possible and we wouldn’t be jumping the heights we are now without it. I’m incredibly grateful for the time, attention, and care that Lars devotes to shoeing my horse.
Kaitlyn F.
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Leading Trainer Lou Pena
Lou Pena talks about how the COBIT helps a colt “out of a situation” & to stay sounder longer.
“My horses have never been so sound and felt more free moving since using the COBIT. They will not be shod without it.”
“This tool - the Center of Balance Indicating Tool will be great for farriers looking to up their game!”
“As a farrier of 35 years I can see the COBIT works. Ross has done the research and put the time in over the last several years to test it extensively””
“I would highly recommend that every owner have a COBIT for their farrier to use. Especially if you have a horse with any kind of foot related issues or soreness. It has made an amazing difference in our two horses who both had major issues.”
“The way we use and enjoy horses leads us to provide support to them as optimally as we can. The answer for providing balanced hoof care is the COBIT.”
“When it comes down to 100th of a second in a barrel run or getting down the fence to turn one back, I’ve used the Center of Balance Indicating Tool prototype for the last 3 years in all disciplines. I feel having proper breakover allows a horse to shape up and engage their hind end easier and faster. Proper balance has improved or maintained these athletes getting maximum longevity out of proper muscle, tendon and bone biomechanics.”
“My farrier uses the COBIT and I love the reassurance I have knowing they are correct. Whether it’s my cutting horse or 29 year old mare, no guess work!”
“I purchased the COBIT with hopes of helping a horse that was diagnosed with navicular issues. I am extremely pleased with the result. The mare improved by 80% within days, is off NSAID’s and I am able to maintain her without having to shoe. Also, Ross himself has been extremely helpful, guiding me from a distance and answering any questions. I use the COBIT for all my horses now, I love having an objective tool, taking away all the guesswork. Amazing! So thankful!”
Mystery Lameness
Mystery Lameness
“I bought Tazer “Unpasabull” as a mountain horse originally because he wasn’t deemed sound enough to be a barrel horse. He had been struggling on & off with mystery lameness for a few years. He had been seen by multiple well respected veterinarians & farriers with no answers.
One reset using the COBIT completely changed his way of movement. He went from tripping, “stabby” in the front end and lame in small circles to SOUND!
Between COBIT & Equiscope he’s continued to get better every day since. Even his old owner climbed on and was BLOWN away. He is now starting his barrel career. I have no doubt he wouldn’t have turned the corner without the COBIT.
He’s got a story and he’s very talented. I am so stoked for him to have a spot in my trailer. Thank you so much.”
Jordan Payne ~ Osteopath | Payne-less Solutions LLC
“We’ve spent gazillions of dollars on this horse. Previcox, bute, x-rays, specialty food, blocking… $1000s. He deserves it.”
“Thank you so very much for helping my horse, Brandon WITHOUT drugs and NO MORE X-RAYS! My farrier has continued with the COBIT, and I just cannot believe how it has changed for my Brandon. I mean I can now understand how a speck of a cm changes everything. Wowza, this has been fantastic!”
~ Kari F.
“Ross just gave 100% to all of us participants, and he met each of us where they are. Our clinic was fantastic!”
~ Kelly B.
“The COBIT is really easy to use. I absolutely love the results. Breakover is perfect.”
~ Corey D.
“When I first heard about the COBIT I was very skeptical. I knew Ross and I knew he as a very good farrier, so I decided not to knock it until I saw it action. I kept my mind open about it. After sending a few of my clients to Ross & Lars and seeing the positive changes in the horses bodies, how they moved, and how these horses didn’t need joint injections like they have in the past, I was sold.”
~ Tanis Hanson
Remedial Equine Therapist
“I recently purchased a COBIT and took the opportunity to attend a clinic from Scott to learn how to use it. I highly recommend this for every horse owner!! Scott was very informative and gave us the confidence to start using our COBIT immediately. I’m excited to get started using the tool on all of our horses!”
Ross Smith is the main reason I qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo. My two horses feet at the time were terrible. Toes wanting to be way out in front with an under run heel and horrible quarter cracks. Cracks so bad they were bleeding at the hairline. Ross suggested we have the horses X-rayed to see exactly where the breakover point was so the shoes could be properly set and floated the heels. Without Ross my horses and I would not have won what we won....no feet no, no horse! I now own my own COBIT and am very happy to have such a wonderful tool and guide to keep my horses feet centered and sound.
Rusty Quam
Ross has been our farrier for going on 18 years. We own and operate a training facility and specialize in Reined Cow Horses. This has us competing all across North America. Good farrier work is essential to keeping our horses sound and competition ready. Ross’s passion for helping horses not only look their best but feel their best has been evident on every visit to the ranch. We have had horses sent to us for training who are struggling with lameness issues and in many cases after just one reset, Ross has increased the comfort of the horse which improves the performance of the horse.
Ross has taught us a great deal over the years of things to watch out for, such as too long of toes, proper balancing of the foot and shoeing a correct foot versus making a shoe to fit a foot. We are so excited for Ross and the Center of Balance Indicating Tool. This is a game-changer in proper horseshoeing!
Dale and Teri Clearwater
Dale Clearwater
I've known Ross for my entire life, starting with Ross trimming for dad when I was small. Through my teenage years, Ross turned into a man I admired for his ability to identify and address problems in horses. Which then evolved into a relationship of him taking me under his wing to share his farrier knowledge of helping the horse be "the best horse it can be". I believe what drew me to Ross the most, then and to this present day, is the best interest of the animal is the most important part of his program! The Ross that I've come to appreciate and admire was never about making a fortune on sharing his knowledge. He wanted to be able to help as many horses as he could, regardless the size of the horse owner's bank account. That 'goodwill towards your fellow man' attitude has always stayed with me! His actions have always demonstrated that his intentions were genuine for wanting to help the horse!
In my early apprenticeship with Ross, I have seen some techniques that didn't follow the 'typical' shoeing practices! But... the positive results spoke loud and clear for themselves! Thanks to all those trial and error experiments, the foundation was beginning to unfold for developing the COBIT. Ross is an innovator in the shoeing world. Now all of us horseshoers, vets, horse enthusiasts can have the approach of 40+ years experience at our fingertips!
After using the COBIT prototype, and now the new and improved COBIT, the results speak for themselves. The overall positive changes, not only to the foot, but to the complete range of motion of the horse is undeniable!! The COBIT is key for taking the guess work out of where the foot needs to be, based on each horse's specific conformation!
Kent Drake
Ross Smith has been our primary farrier for about 32 years and we’ve seen him mature to a master of his craft.
He’s devoted to farrier science and has made in our opinion a groundbreaking discovery with his tool to find a horse’s hoof Center of Balance. A case in point was a horse a client recently purchased that had extremely elongated toes and forward hoof alignment. This situation was to the point that it probably wouldn’t have passed a vet pre-purchase exam. Using the COBIT Ross was able to repair the situation that in my experience would have resulted in the horse becoming unsound with hard use.
Barry and Brenda Clemens
Brenda Clemens
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"March 2022 Ross put the COBIT on my horse for the first time. I am one of those that likes to let my horse tell me what they love and my horse absolutely loved the COBIT!"
Adele Stewart - Prime Equine
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"May 2022 I met with Ross for a COBIT private training session with my horse. I found the experience to be very informative and educational. Ross is a very good teacher and so patient. Since my horse’s first trim with the COBIT she is moving better than ever. Ross is a true blessing to those of us in the equine world who want to do what is best for our horses either on our own or just maintaining between visits with our farriers. He and the COBIT have truly has taken the “guesswork” out of providing the best hoof care for our equines and this is worth everything!"
Corrine Lynnes
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"I feel so lucky to have found Ross and his method - Ross Smith Center of Balance Horseshoeing and the Center of Balance Indicating Tool. He has truly given Adama his life back."
Heather George
In June of 2006 my horse Galen required veterinary care after more than a year of inconsistent shoeing done by any farrier we could find when his feet became so seriously sore that he could not stand. Dr. Larry Hansen of Sherwood Animal Clinic called Ross and asked if he "wanted a challenge".
This was before Ross's development of the Center of Balance Horseshoeing and the COBIT, but his ability to think beyond the standard shoeing methods to help horses even then was well known in the community. I firmly believe that Ross's hard work and out-of-the-box thinking on Galen's feet for the next seven years allowed Galen to live relatively pain-free until arthritis deteriorated his coffin bone.
Ross allowed Galen and I to be very competitive in the hunters and hacks and eventually into the dressage ring winning many awards and ribbons. In short, Ross saved Galen's life.
Ross is still my farrier and uses the Center of Balance Indicating Tool on my Dutch Warmblood and my twenty-seven-year-old retired quarter horse. I know that with the COBIT and the Ross Smith Center of Balance Horseshoeing philosophy applied to my horses they will be sound, healthy and balanced allowing them to live their best life.
Katie Finucane and Galen
The COBIT is amazing and can solve so many foot and lameness issues in performance horses! Ross Smith has been my farrier for years and is a true horseman and an impeccable farrier! This is his design and he’s happy to share his knowledge with everyone. I’m so fortunate to have a great farrier but the COBIT can balance every horse’s foot and help them travel and perform their best. He’s brought several unsound and unusable horses back to performance level horses for myself and others I know with his exceptional understanding of balance and break over.
Tori Meggison
Kim Moats
Ross first started working with my gelding, Hondo, about four years ago. I found that Hondo was progressively showing more symptoms of lameness problems over the previous two years. I had tried various routes to help him and about five years ago I found answers through the Science of Motion and how adding BALANCE schooling methods will affect whole horse health. Ross knows an enormous amount of information about the BALANCE of the hoof and how this works in conjunction with keeping the whole horse sound. Using the COBIT system Ross has now been able to get Hondo’s hooves back in balance and he is now moving pain-free.
Hondo and I had previously competed successfully in Cowboy Dressage both in Canada and the USA, bringing the high point buckle home from the Cowboy Dressage World Finals in California.
Shortly after our return to Canada was when he became unsound. This is where Ross’ expertise came in and without his help, I am sure that I would not have been able to bring this great horse back to soundness. Ross Smith, your COBIT system saved my horse. After giving Hondo a year off and proper balancing with the COBIT system, we were able to go right into the Working Equitation ring and managed to come home with a Red Ribbon. Thank you Ross, I am so grateful.
I have always heard of Ross and his talent with getting lame horses back to having some sort of a job, and I have been able to experience that myself now.
May 4th, 2020 my gelding needed DDFT surgery in both front feet, Chris Bell did that surgery. Then I needed a farrier to work with my gelding “Mike” after to correct his feet and be a part of the rehabilitation team. Ross was more than willing to do that.
Ross has been using the COBIT on “Mike” since 2020 and his feet have improved a lot. Between the surgery and everything Ross has done my gelding moves better than he ever has before and is truly loving life.
The COBIT allowed Ross to place the bar shoes where the balance point of the feet are. Due to this the x-rays from 2020-2021 have shown proper alignment of the feet and joints therefore allowing the DDFT to function without a sharp angle, reducing the strain.
There is a chance for this horse to go back into the show pen of cutting. Thank you, Ross!
Shaylyn Christianson
Being a part of the COBIT team before there was one has given me an unaltered view of all the different horses and people Ross has helped with his style of horseshoeing. I personally believe that it is important that you know the true drive behind the COBIT.
It is a grand investment of Ross' time and money to get this business off the ground and out into the world. But, it isn't a business in the normal sense. It is truly for the horse.
Physically, Ross cannot help every horse in the country, even though he would like to. His answer to the farrier shortage is to teach as many people as possible to understand how a horse's foot should be and how to get it there in the simplest way possible.
Putting aside pride and ego we can improve the quality of life for these amazing athletes called horses.
I first met Ross when I was sent out west on the Greyhound bus at 15. It was then that I got my first real taste of cowboying and shoeing which completely altered my future. For a few weeks in the summers, I would come out to ride Pasture and watch Ross shoe horses. I was lucky enough to push the broom around the barn, then eventually pull shoes, clinch nails, and top dress the feet.
While learning the fundamentals of Shoeing and cowboying I began to see that there isn't much of a difference between the two. If you take care of the horse, they will take care of you.
After making a living cowboying for a while I decided that I should learn to shoe my own horses properly. Ross took me on thinking it might be a month at most, turning into a 3-year apprenticeship, and relocating to Saskatchewan permanently.
I believe in the COBIT. I trust it because I have seen it help amazing athletes shave 2 tenths of a second off their time consistently. I've seen how it helps with the inevitable breakdown of the body on horses that compete hard and travel across the country every weekend. Or how it was able to make an old horse comfortable enough that it could move again without pain, giving kids another opportunity to ride a safe old horse that can teach them the fundamentals of riding.
There isn't one specific time that was the crazy "wow" factor while using the COBIT, but a massive collection over many years that consistently shock me on what it can do for so many different horses in all disciplines.
"There is no room for ego in horseshoeing" - Ross Smith. All the damn time.
I encourage everyone to look at all the information available on the COBIT. If you don't quite understand something or come across an issue when you’re using your COBIT, just ask. We want nothing more than to help you, help your horse. That's why there are videos, photos, demos, and clinics available to everyone.
Lars Baron
The first time I heard of the COBIT I knew it could be instrumental for all horse people.
At an event in 2020, a friend described this tool that Ross invented, and I was intrigued. In January of 2021, I started harassing him to get a patent on his invention.
I am married to an excellent farrier, and I believe every person that owns a horse should have a COBIT. When you can identify breakover using the COBIT and confirm that with an x-ray, there is no mystery. I wish I could go back in time and try one more thing on horses that had shortened careers due to soundness issues.
The COBIT is an inexpensive tool that provides a guide to trim or shoe. The horse gets to have input when the COBIT is used. There is nothing else like it in the world and no greater feeling than the one you get when someone tells you a story with a happy ending. Whether it’s a horse that’s back in the arena, out on trails, or just more comfortable as a result of the COBIT, I feel absolutely privileged to be involved with something that continually helps horses and their humans get back to whatever it is they love to do.
I have known Ross Smith for decades, almost as long as I have known my husband. Scott and Ross taught roping schools together. Ross and I worked together at CRRA events. In 2017, Scott and Ross built a saddle. We support Ross’s invention wholeheartedly. The work of everyone involved has COBITs all over Canada, USA, Sweden, and Australia. It is an honour to be part of this team!
Gail Sapergia
During my first encounter with Ross, we got talking about the "COBIT" (Center of Balance Indicating Tool) and I spent the next few hours in awe as Ross talked about the development of the COBIT along with the health benefits and the simplicity of the product. It’s backed by years of development, working alongside vets, reviewing x-rays, and working this method on hundreds if not thousands of horses.
My background is in marketing, branding, and sales with experiential and product development for over 15 years . I understand the time and effort that goes into something like this. In fact, this particular product has been in the works for decades with so much hands-on experience and science behind it. The results are incredible. I knew I wanted to work on this brand and product with Ross and his Team.
Why I love it:
The COBIT is good for any horse and any discipline. The COBIT has no specific demographic, its entire focus is getting our horses balanced and trimmed according to their center of balance. It takes out any guesswork for someone like myself who does not have that farrier background. I can buy this tool and either use it or have my farrier use it. I know that with the COBIT my horses are trimmed to their center of balance every single time. We can tackle any season with that beautiful foundation that is so important to the health and performance of our horses.
Every year as warm weather approaches, we get flooded with thoughts of lessons, clinics, shows, and rodeos that we want to attend. My hope is that The COBIT becomes a part of the horse owners planning process to ensure general equine health.
Alison Adam
If you’ve got a COBIT story we want to hear from you!
All feedback is important. Please tell us your thoughts.
For example, share any specific results you observed after the COBIT was used.
If your horse has a long story, feel free to share any information that may be of benefit to others.
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