Abstract: A tread has a contour simulative of a horse hoof. A central recess is surrounded by a side wall forming the top and side edges of the tread. The side wall has in-turned ends that extend into the central recess. The in-turned ends taper in both height and width to their distal ends. A V-shaped protrusion is formed at a bottom of the tread and a curved surface transitions from the tread to the midsole. A tear drop shaped recess is formed in the V-shaped protrusion. The top of the V-shaped protrusion and top of the side wall are coplanar.

Abstract: A horse boot includes a shell for the hoof and a gaiter for the pastern. The shell has a sole, an upper, a tongue, and an elastic component for tightening the upper and the tongue around the hoof of the horse. The gaiter is releasably attached to the upper so as to extend around the rear of the shell and is wrapped around the pastern of the horse immediately above the hoof's front hairline and below the fetlock to function as a barrier against the entry of debris into the shell. The gaiter provides an additional anchor to retain the shell in place under extreme conditions of use. The releasable connection to the shell allows replacement of the gaiter when worn out.

Abstract: An equine bony column and tissue support is configured to prevent or treat lameness in a hoof of a horse where the lameness is based on a bony column dysfunction or instability. The equine bony column and tissue support includes a hoof bridge which includes a composition of matter with a hardness between Shore A Durometer of 85 and a Rockwell K of 150 bonded to the hoof. The composition of matter provides central loading support that redistributes weight from a perimeter of an outer hoof horn to the bony column and bony tissue to stabilize and realigns the bony column.

Abstract: Sole (5) for a shoe adapted for use on hoofed or cloven-hoofed animals where the sole (5) at least comprises: a forward (10) and a rear part (11) plus at least a coupling/joint (14) which allows the at least one forward part (10) and the at least one rear part (11) to move completely or partly independent of each other. The invention also discloses a shoe (1) for use of said sole (5).

Abstract: A pad for the plantar arch of a shod hoof of an animal is characterized in that the pad is made of a synthetic material whose hardness/durometer ranges from 5 to 25 Shore A.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resilient pad to be placed between a foot and a shoe of a hoofed animal comprising a first region substantially defined by the area of the shoe and a second region substantially defined by an area enclosed by the shoe. The second region contains the shock absorbing area. The first region of the pad resides between the hoof and shoe and does not provide substantial shock absorbing properties. Further disclosed is a resilient pad comprising two hemispheres for a cloven hoofed animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy absorbing compound comprising an epoxidized vegetable oil, a thermoplastic polymer and a prepolymer. The energy absorbing compound is a polymeric compound which exhibits low rebound velocity and hysteresis. The energy absorbing compound possesses good energy-attenuating properties and is capable of absorbing repeat shocks without structural damage.

Abstract: An equine support pad with integral frog support comprises a flat or wedge pad integrally molded with a frog support. The support pad is open surrounding the triangular frog support to permit cleaning of the hoof. The support pad and frog support are molded from a substantially non compressible material that flexes in response to weight. Thus, the device effectively shifts weight bearing from the hoof wall to the frog while permitting the hoof to breathe and promoting normal blood flow in the foot and affording complete support of the bony column of the digit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resilient pad to be placed between a foot and a shoe of a hoofed animal comprising a first region substantially defined by the area of the shoe and a second region substantially defined by an area enclosed by the shoe. The second region contains the shock absorbing area. The first region of the pad resides between the hoof and shoe and does not provide substantial shock absorbing properties. Further disclosed is a resilient pad comprising two hemispheres for a cloven hoofed animal.

Abstract: A hoof pad is used with a shoe for an animal, with the pad having a plate-shaped object and a plurality of catches. The flexible plate-shaped object has a partially elliptical shape including a top surface, an inner edge, an outer edge substantially matching the inner edge of the shoe. The plurality of catches are formed on the top surface of the plate-shaped object, with the catches extending outward from the plate-shaped object. The plate-shaped object is supported on the inside of the shoe by securing the catches on the plate-shaped object to the top of the shoe so that the top of the plate-shaped object has substantially the same height as the top of the shoe. The plate-shaped object is removably attachable to be freely attached and removed from the bottom of the shoe.

Abstract: Described is a plastic form conforming to the shape of the underside of an equine hoof and within the borders of the hoof wall that is affixed to the hoof by means of straps or adhesive tape. The function of the form is to support the sole and skeletal structure of the hoof while the hoof wall remains unsupported, the purpose being to allow the hoof wall to grow out undistorted following the occurrence of lamninitis or founder. The plastic form can have additional thickness at the heel area to reduce tension of the suspensor ligaments and flexor tendons. The form can be cushioned to allow for sensitive hoof soles.

Abstract: A packing pad for application to a horse's hoof that is capable of protecting the hoof by providing a cushion against bruising while simultaneously enabling treatment of an injured hoof by forming a water repellent barrier to hold medication against the hoof and to protect against contamination of the hoof.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of laminitis in a horse, comprising in the preferred embodiment a plate member sized, shaped and adapted for fastening to the hoof of the horse, the plate member including a concave upwardly projecting portion for rotating an out of position coffin bone of the horse into its normal position and maintaining the coffin bone in the normal position for healing. The apparatus further comprises a U-shaped support member extending from the top of the upwardly projecting portion, for providing additional support and positioning of the coffin bone of the horse, a cushioning member, positioned on top of the plate member and the support member, for cushioning the bottom of the foot of the horse; and a bonding layer of hardened rubber for fastening the support member and the cushioning member to the plate member, the U-shaped support member being an integral portion of the bonding layer.

Abstract: A horseshoe full pad to be interposed between a metal horseshoe and the hoof is made of an energy absorbing microcellular urethane foam having a tough outer skin. The pad is characterized by having a central layer or sheet which covers and can be trimmed to the hoof. Stabilizer bars and heel shock reducers are molded into the turf side of the pad and rise to about the level of the horseshoe so that they along with the shoe take up and absorb some of the shock. A frog pad may be molded into the hoof side of the pad to further protect and/or stimulate it.

Abstract: Shoes for horses are fabricated from ultra-high molecular weight ethylene polymers having a molecular weight of at least 1 million. Such shoes are light weight, have good wear properties, and are much easier on the horse's feet than metal shoes.

Abstract: Horse hoof wear appliance of thermoplastic elastomer, preferable polyurethane, made of two parts, one a strip conforming to the contour of the horny hoof portion of the hoof, with its rear ends united near the hoof buttresses by a connecting strap to form an annulus, the other a closure plate removably attachable for completely closing the free space inside the annulus. The ground bearing surfaces of annulus and the ground bearing surface of closure plate are coplanar and each has longitudinal and transverse anti-skid relief sculptures, divided into four separate regions, forward, rearward, and lateral, and all extending mainly parallel to the adjoining edges of the appliance.

Abstract: Temporary footwear for a shod or unshod hoofed animal, particularly useful when the animal is required to stand in a confined space such as in a trailer for long periods. The resilient footwear includes an upper and lower band which engage the hoof and a plurality of straps which are integrally formed with the lower band, and which are generally disposed across the lower surface of the hoof. A moist pack is retained against the lower surface of the hoof by the straps. The footwear in addition to providing protection and keeping the hoof moist also promotes circulation of the hoof.