Horseshoes are set to become lucky charms for research scientists looking for a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Masterton-based Catwalk Trust is collaborating with New Zealand's largest metal recycling company, Sims Pacific Metals, whose headquarters are in Otahuhu, in a fundraising campaign labelled Hoofing It; the like of which has not been tried before anywhere else in the world.
They want equestrian sportspeople and racehorse owners and trainers throughout the country to donate their old horseshoes to the Catwalk charity rather than dump them on the scrapheap.
That can be done by taking them to selected locations, including five PGG Wrightson stores, independent feed shops and vet clinics and also to events such as the Horse of the Year Show, the 2012 version of which got under way in Hawke's Bay on Tuesday.
Sims Pacific Metals will provide the collection bins, empty them and transport the contents before processing the used shoes.