Barncat: Development of a customized mobile application in four months

For the MVP, we selected the function of hoof photos and their comparison. Hooves are an important indicator of a horse's health, and our goal was to ensure users could compare comparables — always taking photos from the same angle and distance.

We started with clickable wireframes that helped the client imagine the app. After testing, we assigned the designs to a graphic artist and started development.

The basic principle is the ability to keep horse profiles and share them. For each horse, users can record inspections, training, and save photos and documents. The key feature is hoof photography — we used a gyroscope ensuring the phone is level both vertically and horizontally. We guide users on the correct photographing order, showing a hoof outline on screen.

For testing, our Product Owner came up with a brilliant idea: Equus Manege photographed different hoof types and sizes, which we attached to a paper model to simulate real stable conditions.

Thanks to this approach, we prototyped the first iOS version in just four months.

The biggest challenge was developing the hoof photography feature — ensuring consistent angles and distances for veterinary comparison. We had to solve how to test the functionality without access to horses in our Prague office, using paper models of hooves as stand-ins.

We plan to monitor weather and alert users to changes affecting horse wellbeing. We also want to use AI for comparing horse photos, evaluating appearance changes, and recommending vet visits. An Android version is in development.

At Equus Manege, they have a beautiful mission: to improve the lives of horses and their owners around the world. The clients wanted to connect horse owners with veterinarians but had no software development experience. With a huge supply of ideas, they turned to us for a budget, development plan, and feature prioritization.

We implemented native development in SwiftUI and chose Firebase for the backend because it allows rapid iterations and hypothesis validation without building a complete backend.

For each horse, users can record check-ups, training, save photos and documents, and post updates. We created a database in Firebase for individual horses and their data, along with a sample set of test data that helped both development and client discussions.

Storing different data formats in Firebase was complex — we had to map Firebase file paths to standard URLs. For subscription management, we chose RevenueCat, which handles payment expirations, card management, and user administration. Although it charges a fee, it significantly simplifies development compared to Apple's basic APIs.

The key feature is hoof photography. We used the phone's gyroscope to keep the device level during shots. The client was actively involved in development, adjusting settings like the allowable tilt angle to find the right 'sweet spot' between veterinary usefulness and user-friendliness.

For testing without horses in our Prague office, Equus Manege provided photos of different hoof types and sizes, which we attached to a paper model to simulate real conditions.

We plan to add weather monitoring, AI-powered photo comparison for evaluating changes in horse appearance, and develop the Android version of the app.