‘Horse Kicks’ Turns Hyped Human Sneakers into Fashionable Footwear for Equine Athletes

The world’s first custom sneaker retailer for horses is launching in Lexington, Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World. 

Horse Kicks is a custom “deconstruction/reconstruction” service that turns rare, collectors’ item human sneakers into premium “horseshoes” for the world’s greatest equine athletes.

Launching this fall with a pop-up presence in the heart of downtown, Horse Kicks was founded to cater to the 450 horse farms and billion-dollar Thoroughbred industry surrounding Lexington.

“If Lebron James can have his own custom sneakers, why can’t American Pharoah?” said Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLEX. “Horse Kicks is coming to Lexington to serve all the prized horses who call this special place home and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Horse Kicks is a partnership between VisitLEX and Lexington-based shoe and cleat artist Marcus Floyd, who studied the art of shoe “decon/recon” at The Shoe Surgeon’s SRGN Academy In Los Angeles. Floyd’s business Infinite Kustomz LLC specializes in creating customized and hand-painted sneakers and cleats. 

“It was a unique challenge for sure,” said Marcus. “As far as I know, I’m the only one in Kentucky doing cut and sew reconstruction of sneakers, and definitely the only one in the world doing it for horses.” 

Word has already gotten out amongst the surrounding Thoroughbred horse farms.  

“We treat these horses like the superstar athletes that they are,” said Hallie Hardy, executive director of Horse Country Tours. “They should look the part!”

The first horse to don a Horse Kicks sneaker is named Bear from Millenium Farm. Bear became the “poster-horse” for Horse Kicks by starring in the brand’s photography and teaser video. 

The debut line of Horse Kicks will be on display in downtown Lexington on the corner of Main and Broadway during this year’s Breeders’ Cup Festival, November 4-5.

“We brought this idea to life because it creates a fun, completely original experience that can only happen in the Horse Capital of the World. We also love that it spotlights Lexington’s creative culture and one of its most talented artists in Marcus. Plus, if we can do some good along the way, everyone wins,” said Mary Quinn Ramer. 

Consisting of three one-of-a-kind designs, this collection will be donated and auctioned off during the Sneaker Ball Lex event in Lexington on Saturday, November 12th, which gives back to local minority organizations. 

Horse Kicks is also now accepting custom order inquiries at HORSEKICKSLEX.COM.

Starting at $1,200 per shoe, Horse Kicks will donate 10% of all future proceeds to benefit Sneaker Ball Lex and its charities. 

Lexington’s Cornett is the agency behind the work.