Abstract: Paw-wear for clawed animals and methods of fitting the paw-wear to the clawed animals. The paw-wear includes a sole and an upper. The sole includes an outer sole surface and an inner sole surface. The upper is shaped to at least partially surround the paw and to selectively retain the paw-wear on the paw. In some examples, the upper is configured to transition between a fitted configuration and an unfitted configuration. When in the fitted configuration, the upper is shaped to at least partially surround the paw and to retain the paw-wear on the paw. When in the unfitted configuration, the upper is shaped to permit the paw to engage the inner sole surface without surrounding the paw or retaining the paw in the paw-wear. In some examples, claws of the paw are exposed when the upper at least partially surrounds the paw and retains the paw-wear on the paw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a shoe for an animal is disclosed. The hoof of an animal may be aligned to a pre-determined position. The animal may then be examined against a criteria. It is then determined whether the bone structure of the animal satisfies the criteria. The hoof may be re-aligned to a different pre-determined position if the criteria is not satisfied. A shoe is then manufactured for the animal according to position data corresponding to a satisfactory position.

Abstract: A method of making a composite horseshoe to a bespoke design to fit a specified hoof of a specified horse includes the step of providing a template horseshoe adapted to fit the specific hoof of the specified horse. A mould is constructed of the template horseshoe, and the mould is filled with a plastic material mixed with wear resistant particles to replicate the template horseshoe.

Abstract: A universal cloven hoof shoe is described including a sole section having a top surface, an opposed bottom side, a toe end and sides joining the top surface and bottom side and extending rearwardly from the toe end. An upper section is formed integrally with the sole section and extends upwardly from the sides and rearwardly from the toe end, terminating to leave an extension of the sole at the heel end. The sole section and upper section are formed of a flexible material, and the upper section is shaped such that it may receive either a medial or lateral claw of a cloven hoof. The present invention eliminates the need to provide one shoe configuration for a lateral (e.g. left) claw and another configuration for a medial (e.g. right) claw. Further, the upper section is angled with respect to the top surface of the sole section to conform to an angle of a hoof claw. A tread pattern is formed along the bottom edge of the sole section to provide support in critical areas.