Farriery – Shoes
Patent
1996-12-23
1998-12-01
Swiatek, Robert P.
Farriery
Shoes
168DIG1, A01L 500
Patent
active
058425233
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns ambulation-protection means of including a plastic layer formed on the hoof and forming a customized shoe for the hoof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In known designs of this general type, a plastic layer is a component of a fastening system for a plastic sole mounted underneath the hoof sole, said plastic sole being fitted with upward projecting deposits present at the edge. The plastic layer is composed of resilient plastic which does not evince rigid dimensional stability and which is bonded to the outside of the horn wall by a bonding layer consisting, for instance, of instant glue or of hot-melt adhesive as described in German patent document 38 32 705 C2.
It is further known from the state of the art to use a plastic in the form of a mixture of several components which cures directly on the hoof's horn and which hardens in rigid dimensionally stable manner. In the state of the art this material is used to repair damaged hoofs. Reference is hereby made to the product
Grand Circuit
Acrylic Hoof Repair Systems
Across-the-Anvil-East Co., Anvil, USA
Equilox
Innovative Animal Products Co.
Rochester USA.
These polymethacrylate-based materials display the property of curing on the hoof horn in tight and rigid, dimensionally-stable manner into a hardness approximating that of the horn. In the state of the art, these materials are used to repair the horn, for instance to fill missing horn fragments. Together with the horn, this material will form a homogeneous unit and together with it may be worked, for instance by rasping or cutting, or it can be nailed etc.
In accordance with this invention, this material is used to provide ambulation-protection means for equine hoofs to achieve properties which are both outstanding and heretofore unknown in the state of the art.
Coating the outside of the horn wall, in the form of a corset-outer reinforcement, with this material heretofore used only for repairs, results in reinforcing the hoof against high-load, strong deformations. Excessive hoof widening under such loads is prevented. Moreover the layer protects against point-loads on the hoof, for instance when stepping on a sharp stone, and prevents localized fragmentation in hoof parts. Also the layer allows making the hoof more abrasion-proof, provided that the lower edge of the coat is part of the hoof's ground contact-making surface or when used to hold a sole borne under the hoof.
A thick layer in this zone is preferred and results in substantially improved hoof strength.
The layer is able to grow downward together with the hoof, and may be shortened by abrasion on the ground or by paring the ambulation-protection means to restore the required original hoof shape, while retaining nevertheless the required thickness. Accordingly, a new coat will be required only after prolonged ambulation when the hoof's horn wall has grown downward essentially beyond the height of the initially deposited layer.
Such a layer embodiment divided into segments only trivially reduces its stability of affixation and rupture resistance imparted to the hoof while offering the advantage of a contoured external hoof shape assuring improved grip on the ground or advantageously assures peripheral geometric locking of a sole borne on the coating.
Such a layer of abrasion-proof material extending as far as the ground and at least partly constituting the hoof's ground contact-making surface effectively reduces abrasion of the horn material of the hoof and thereby secures the hoof proper against undue wear even at high ambulation loads. Even though lacking hoof protection by an iron or by a plastic sole, the horse is left with a substantially natural feeling for ambulation, that is with a free sole, when under high ambulation load.
Alternatively a layer implementing geometrical locking with a plastic sole under the hoof may be provided, the geometric lock advantageously being detachable. In this manner a hoof-protecting sole can be kept simply and effectively on the hoof.
Engagemen
REFERENCES:
patent: 3476190 (1969-11-01), Jenny et al.
patent: 4892150 (1990-01-01), Thoman
Farley Walter C.
Swiatek Robert P.
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