The hoof stud era
Forty years of hoof studs.
As more and more roads were asphalted in the 1930s and 1940s, the horses, which were still quite common at the time, needed anti slip protection on their hooves to prevent them from slipping on the road surfaces.
"With the company Fried. Krupp WIDIA Fabrik, Essen, this anti slip stud was developed using WIDIA carbide, which is now known as WIDAK and has become a household name among experts." (Anniversary brochure 1958)
The era of hoof studs lasted until the end of the 1970s. Even at the end of the 2000s, one or the other blacksmith would occasionally call and ask for remaining stock. We finally gifted the very last examples to a local museum.
The name WIDAK was derived from the brand name WIDIA and the Bachofers ' fondness for the Allgäu region. Looking at the Alpe Wiedhag near Oberjoch , it was clear: WIDAK should be the name of the hoof tunnels. Admittedly, the connection can only be understood with imagination and a basic knowledge of Allgäu Swabian...
