BOOT FOR HOOVES

Abstract

A boot for hooves includes a sole having an external ground contact surface the shape of the underside of a hoof, extending in the longitudinal direction between toe and heel portions. A first strap is anchored in the sole and runs from one side of the hoof boot to the other, across the front side of the hoof in the mounted position. A second strap is anchored in the sole and runs from one side of the hoof boot to the other, above the back side of the hoof in the mounted position, so the first and second straps extend in directions intersecting each other on each side of the hoof boot. The second strap extends from the sole in such a direction that it is adapted to run on the back side of the leg above the hoof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a boot for hooves of the type that is attachable to a hoof by means of two straps adjustable in their length.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Shoes for horses have since antiquity been used to protect the hooves of the horse against wear or to reinforce the hooves. The earliest known horseshoes were of sandal type and manufactured from leather or bast. These shoes are attached to the hoof of the horse by means of straps and cords. It was not until during the 4th century that fittings of iron begun to be nailed into the hoof. The horseshoe most used today is made of a ferrous alloy and attached to the hoof by means of horseshoe nails, wherein the horseshoe is nailed on to the hoof.

Each hoof is, however, unique and individual in its design. The hoof is also variable in the respect that it adapts its shape to the load rate and environment as well as depending on the general health status of the horse.

By hoof, reference is usually made to the hoof capsule and the organs that are surrounded by the hoof capsule, which itself may be divided into wall, sole and frog. The wall may be divided into a front toe portion, intermediate side portions and a rear heel part. From the heel part, and more precisely from the bars situated at the very back, the hoof wall extends forward on both sides of the frog in the sole of the hoof. Thus, the wall of the hoof does not form a closed circle, and it is this open design of the hoof wall that allows the movements of the hoof or the so-called hoof mechanism, which will be explained in more detail below.

The sole on the underside of the hoof is cup-shaped and connects to the hoof wall, to the frog and to the heel support of the hoof in the central parts of the hoof. The hoof wall, the sole, and the frog surround and protect the internal anatomy of the hoof. In addition to legs, muscles, connective tissue and tendons, the hoof contains, among other things, nerves and a considerable number of blood vessels and blood, the hoof mechanism having a large bearing on the circulation of the blood, both in the hoof and in the lower parts of the leg. Among the more important tasks of the hoof, there is in addition the ability to support weight, absorb shocks, withstand wear, activate the blood and lymph circulation, and constitute slip protection.

The frog, which is situated in the rear, central part of the hoof, is terminated forward in the apex of the frog and rearward in the bulbs that rounds off the hoof and that upward adjoins the pastern of the horse.

Inside the frog, there is an organ consisting of fibro-elastic adipose having tireless elasticity. Said organ, denominated the digital cushion, is critical to the movements of the hoof and to its ability to absorb shocks.

A slip protection is provided partly by the shape of the hoof, by the hoof wall and by the cup-shaped sole the depth of which varies depending on the load rate. The nerve tissue, which signals to the horse what type of ground it moves on, also contributes to the slip protection. This nerve tissue is essentially found in the softer parts of the hoof of the horse, in the frog. For this reason, it is important that the frog is loaded against the ground.

The ability of the hoof to withstand wear is determined on one hand by the density of the material in the different parts of the hoof capsule, and on the other hand by the growth of the keratin material to replace the wear that arises by the contact of the hoof with the ground. The shock-absorbing ability of the hoof is foremost provided by the rear parts of the hoof, i.e., the frog, the bars, and the digital cushion, when the horse in a normal footfall comes down on the heels. When the hoof is set down, weight and shocks are carried by the frog and by the digital cushion, which are flattened out towards the sides with the result that the hoof, particularly the rear part of the hoof wall, the bars, and the heels, expands laterally. In the load phase of the footfall, the entire under side of the hoof is utilized to a varying extent to support weight. When the hoof is pressure-relieved, the hoof returns to its original shape thanks to the elastic structure of the tissues. By the expression hoof mechanism, in this description, reference is made to the expansion of the hoof and the subsequent contraction, primarily in the horizontal direction, when the hoof is set down and lifted, respectively.

The deformation relating to variations in the cup shape of the sole at different load, and which entails that the ground contact surface of the sole increases upon load, is henceforth denominated compression of the hoof.

Horseshoes manufactured from metal lack the possibility of following the expansion and contraction of the hoof. In order to decrease the negative impact of the metal shoe on the hoof mechanism, these shoes are usually nailed into the toe and side portions of the hoof wall, while the heels are left without seam to allow a certain relative movement between the hoof and the shoe.

A conventional horseshoe is usually u-shaped and runs under the outer edge of the hoof wall. Such a horseshoe does not allow contact between the sole and the ground upon compression of the hoof, since the shoe, by its thickness, lifts up the central parts of the hoof, which will hang in the air. A horseshoe that blocks the sole and the frog from reaching the ground may cause different types of damage to, and deformations in, the hoof and extremity of the horse.

In addition, a conventional horseshoe prevents a natural wear of the hoof since the shoe prevents the contact of the hoof wall with the ground. Therefore, the shoe should at even intervals be removed by a person skilled in the art so that the keratin material in the hoof wall can be removed manually in order not to grow to unnatural proportions. Conventional shoeing also means that the hoof by such trimming is adapted manually to the shoe, since a shoe of metal cannot be sufficiently adapted to the hoof. This often entails an unnatural hoof shape, which causes imbalance in the hoof and disturbances of the function of the hoof.

Against this background, the advantage is appreciated of allowing horses to walk barefoot/unshod during a large part of the time to obtain hooves that are in balance thanks to a natural load and wear. An unshod horse may, however, be sensitive to varying grounds when working. This disadvantage may be made up for by, on each occasion, providing the hooves of the horse with shoes or boots that are easy to mount and dismount, and which in addition allow a natural hoof shape and a functioning hoof mechanism. Boots for hooves of this type are typically arranged to surround the hoof and to be attached on the hoof by some type of attachment, which is formed so that the boot does not need to be permanently mounted on the hoof, but allows the horse to walk barefoot between the working periods.

Among known boots for hooves of the latter kind, a boot disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,209 may be mentioned, which comprises a wire having a lever lying open on the outside of the hoof boot for the fixation of the boot on the hoof. In said hoof boot, a tightening force around the hoof is utilized for the fixation of the boot. The solution is less suitable because it contains hard parts which may cause the hoof to get caught in surrounding vegetation and possibly to get hurt. The force from the wire is continuously applied during the time when the hoof boot is mounted, and accordingly also at rest, which may cause discomfort. The force acting around the hoof also counteracts the hoof mechanism, which ultimately may cause the grip around the hoof in course of time to grow weak so that the hoof boot loosens, or alternatively entails that a pressure harmful in course of time is applied to the hoof.

Another boot for hooves of the kind in question is disclosed in WO 2004/064668. In this publication, a hoof boot is shown of the type that is attachable to a hoof by means of two straps adjustable in their length. The hoof boot comprises a sole formed with an external ground contact surface the shape of which essentially corresponds to the shape of the under side of a hoof, and which extends in the longitudinal direction between a toe portion and a heel portion. A first strap is anchored in the sole to run from one side of the hoof boot to the other, across the front side of the hoof in the mounted position. A second strap is anchored in the sole to run from one side of the hoof boot to the other, across the back side of the hoof in the mounted position, in such a way that the first and second straps extend in directions intersecting each other on each side of the hoof boot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at obviating the above mentioned disadvantages of previously known boots for hooves, as well as providing a boot for hooves or hoof boot which is easy to mount and dismount, and which in the mounted position allows a natural hoof mechanism.

The object is met according to the invention by a boot for hooves of the type that is attachable to a hoof by means of two straps adjustable in their length, which boot for hooves comprises:

• • a sole having an external ground contact surface the shape of which essentially corresponds to the shape of the underside of a hoof, and which extends in the longitudinal direction between a toe portion and a heel portion;
  • a first strap anchored in the sole and running from one side of the boot for hooves to the other, across the front side of the hoof in the mounted position;
  • a second strap anchored in the sole and running from one side of the boot for hooves to the other, above the back side of the hoof in the mounted position, in such a way that the first and second straps extend in directions intersecting each other on each side of the boot for hooves, the second strap extending from the sole in such a direction that it is adapted to run on the back side of the leg above the hoof, and more precisely directed so that it, in the mounted position of the boot for hooves on the hoof, runs at the back of the pastern of the leg, and which strap, on the back side of the boot for hooves, is coupled to a cuff mountable around the leg above the hoof.

By the present strap in the prescribed way being anchored in the sole to extend from the sole in a direction that permits and guides the strap to the prescribed high path around the leg above the hoof, the strap does not exert any surrounding pressure against the heel part and bulbs, and hereby neither the natural hoof mechanism is counteracted.

An additional result of the location of the second strap in the pastern is that the strap supports the contraction of the suspensory ligament upon raising of the joints after the hoof has been set down, when the suspensory ligament is stretched.

By strap, in the present text, a long narrow element should be understood having a cross-sectional profile that may be flat, quadrangular, round, or have another suitable geometrical shape. The strap has suitably certain elasticity in its longitudinal direction and may comprise an incorporated elastic section, but may alternatively in its entirety consist of an elastic material.

By the fact that the first/front strap and the second/rear strap extend in directions intersecting each other, and the points of intersection are situated above the sole in each side of the hoof boot, a distributed pressure from the sole against the underside of the hoof is produced.

A load applied from the hoof to the front strap produces a resulting line of force toward the rear part or heel part of the sole. Correspondingly, a load applied by the hoof to the rear strap produces a resulting line of force directed toward the front part of the sole. The size of said lines of force is in direct proportion to the movement of the hoof in the hoof boot, whereby it can be avoided that unnecessary forces are applied to the hoof from the hoof boot. The straps co-operate alternately to counteract flopping about.

Advantageously, the second strap may be coupled on the back side of the hoof boot to a leash anchored in the heel portion of the sole. In this way, it is guaranteed that the hoof under no circumstances can step out of the hoof boot.

Preferably, at least said second strap is elastic in its longitudinal direction.

The first strap is embedded in the sole and runs unbroken through the sole, the part of the first strap embedded in the sole preferably comprising a respective strap portion, which is angled forward toward the toe portion of the sole.

A result of this embodiment is that the strap can be placed sufficiently far back in the sole, such as in the rear fourth of the sole, so as to, when the hoof is set down, be impinged on by the part of the hoof that carries the greatest instantaneous load, and to still connect to the sole in an area being frontal compared therewith, which results in that the strap leaves the heel part of the hoof free to expand, and allow a natural hoof mechanism.

Preferably, in the corresponding way, also the second strap is embedded in the sole to run unbroken through the sole, the part of the second strap embedded in the sole preferably comprising a respective strap portion, which is angled rearward toward the heel portion of the sole.

A result of this embodiment is that the strap can be placed sufficiently far forward in the sole, such as in the front fourth of the sole, so as to, upon take-off be impinged on by the part of the hoof that carries the greatest instantaneous load, and to still connect to the sole in an area being rear compared therewith, which results in that the strap can be brought to run essentially in the direction of the suspensory ligament, around the pastern.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second straps may be anchored to the sole in such a position that the geometrical point of intersection of said intersecting directions on the respective side of the hoof boot is situated right opposite or in front of, but never behind, an imaginary normal to the ground contact surface of the sole at a point situated on the longitudinal centre of the same.

The sole is made of an elastic material, such as plastic, rubber, or mixtures thereof, and has a circumferential, raised edge, which is arranged to, at rest, lean upturned against the outside of the hoof as well as when the hoof is set down, spring outward to absorb the lateral expansion of the hoof.

The sole typically has a rounded shape with an increasing width in the direction from the toe portion toward the heel portion, in correspondence to the under side of a hoof. By the sole, in the unloaded position, being formed so that it turns up around the outside of the hoof, the need is avoided of forming the sole with exaggerated width in the heel portion so as to, in this way, allow the hoof to expand laterally upon load, and thereby the play that such a design otherwise would cause is also avoided. More precisely, the sole adapts to the lateral expansion of the hoof upon loading by the raised edge being folded outward toward the sides, so as to, as soon as the load decreases, recapture its turned-up shape, thanks to the shape memory of the flexible material of the sole.

In one embodiment, the ability of the sole to alter its width may be enhanced by the raised edge of the sole, as seen in a cross-section through the sole, having a slightly concave shape in the unloaded position, in a rear area of the sole.

In a preferred embodiment, the sole is prepared for the fitting of crampons, but may also alternatively comprise integrally formed crampons.

In a preferred embodiment, the hoof boot according to the invention has an inner boot, which extends upward from the heel portion of the sole to the height of the pastern of the leg, and from this, its vertex, obliquely forward-downward on both sides of the hoof boot, toward the toe portion of the sole.

Said inner boot may be manufactured from a textile woven from synthetic thread, natural thread, or mixtures thereof, and its function is to protect the hoof and foremost the soft rear parts of the hoof by preventing that gravel, stone, and the like penetrate into the hoof boot.

The inner boot is open obliquely forward-upward and terminated forward by a strip-shaped loop that runs unbroken from one side of the hoof boot to the other, essentially parallel to and inside said second strap, and accordingly via the pastern of the leg in the mounted position of the hoof boot.

The design of the forward/upward open inner boot facilitates the mounting of the hoof boot on the hoof, and the embodiment with a strip-shaped loop provides a stabilized edge around the opening of the inner boot, which contributes to the inner boot keeping its shape.

In a preferred embodiment, in its lower end connecting to the sole, the loop transforms into a border that runs projectingly over the edge of the sole from one side of the hoof boot to the other, via the heel portion of the sole. Correspondingly, in its lower end, the loop may transform into a wall that runs inside the edge of the sole from one side of the hoof boot to the other, via the toe portion of the sole.

Said loop, border, and wall are suitably manufactured from an elastic material such as plastic, rubber, or mixtures thereof, and may advantageously be cast integrally.

The inner boot is connected to the sole, such as by agglutination, vulcanization, or needlework. The inner boot and the sole may advantageously be interconnected by a double cast method.

In this way, said loop, border, and wall together form a frame to which the counter and side pieces are attached by either of agglutination, vulcanization, or needlework, for example. The coupling between said loop and side pieces may be made as a channel formed in the side piece through which the loop runs, from one side of the sole to the other. Said channel may be arranged to be coupled to the outer strap that is directed to run via the pastern, in the mounted position of the hoof boot on the hoof.

A part of the inner boot, which is limited by said loop and border, forms a counter that at least section-wise consists of an elastic material. A part of the inner boot, which is limited by said loop and border, forms side pieces that at least section-wise consist of an elastic material. The parts of the inner boot that herein are designated loop, border, and wall, or in other words the frame of the inner boot, consist typically of an elastic material having a higher shape stability than the material of the counter and side pieces, however still with a considerable ability to strain, preferably up to double the length in the unloaded state, without being permanently deformed.

The counter may have the special feature that it is designed with sections of different elasticity, alternatively has sections with elasticity acting in different ways/directions, which allows alternately acting strain and constriction. In doing so, parts of the counter contract at the same time as other parts are stretched out.

The rear central parts of the counter consist advantageously of a hard-wearing and tear-resistant elastic textile, while the parts connecting from the sides consist of an elastic such as rubber, elastomer, silicone, latex, or the like. In the different footfall phases of the horse, the shaping of the counter follows, by means of the alternately acting elastic sections, the natural movements of the hoof, whereby the counter obtains its unique qualities that, in addition to following the movements of the hoof, also significantly contribute to the exact form fit of the boot for the individual hoof. A good form fit prevents gravel and other particles from entering the hoof boot and causing discomfort to the horse. Moreover, a good form fit entails that sores can be avoided. The elastic material may also be utilized to obtain a holding function of the counter.

In a preferred embodiment, said counter comprises a loop formed for coupling the counter to the rear/second strap.

The elastic counter may be fixed around the vertebra bone of the horse by means of an elastic locking, such as a Velcro tape, which prevents the counter from sliding down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment example schematically shown in the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a sole belonging to the hoof boot;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the sole included in the hoof boot;

FIG. 3 shows an inner boot belonging to the hoof boot;

FIG. 4 shows the inner boot and the sole in a mutually mounted state;

FIG. 5 shows the hoof boot in a phantom view;

FIG. 6 shows the underside of the hoof boot;

FIG. 7 shows the hoof boot mounted on a hoof at rest, and

FIG. 8 shows the hoof boot mounted on a hoof loaded during a footfall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT EXAMPLE

FIG. 1 shows a sole 1 included in a hoof boot according to the invention. The sole 1 is cup-shaped and comprises a bottom 2 the shape of which essentially corresponds to the underside of a hoof, and the underside of which forms a ground contact surface 3. The ground contact surface 3 is best seen in FIG. 6. The bottom and ground contact surface of the sole extend in the longitudinal direction 1 of the hoof boot between a front toe portion 4 and a rear heel portion 5, see FIG. 5. A protruding edge 7 runs around the bottom of the sole, and has a tongue 8 in the toe portion having such a length that the tongue extends a good distance up along the capsule of the hoof in the mounted position of the hoof boot, as is best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A slot 9 mouths in the sides of the tongue 8 and extends through the tongue in ways illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 1. The slot 9 is adapted for leading through a strap arranged and operative in the way described below. Said strap may alternatively be coupled to the tongue 8 in another arbitrary way.

With reference to FIG. 2, it is shown how the protruding edge 7 abuts against the outside of the hoof both in the position of rest of the hoof (the left part of the drawing figure) and in the loaded position of the hoof (the right part of the drawing figure), in which the hoof has expanded laterally in the direction of the arrow h while running-out the edge 7, as a result of a natural hoof mechanism without hindrance.

FIG. 3 shows an inner boot 10 adapted to be joined with the sole 1. The inner boot 10 is cup-shaped and comprises a bottom 11 from which a forward/upward open loop 12 rises. The loop 12, which mainly is strip-shaped, transforms forward into a wall 13, which runs around the toe portion of the inner boot and transforms rearward into a border 14, which runs around the heel portion of the inner boot. The inside of the bottom 11 of the inner boot is suitably made with a friction-enhancing surface, for example in the form of transverse ribs 15, which give a better hold for the hoof inside the inner boot 10. The embodiment with transverse ribs in the bottom of the inner boot contributes to enabling the hoof upon expansion to slide on the ribs laterally so that the edges of the sole are folded outward to absorb the lateral expansion of the hoof in a way that has been shown in FIG. 2. Hereby, it is prevented, for example, that the hoof “sucks fast” to the bottom of the inner boot.

The loop 12, the wall 13, and the border 14 form a frame included in the inner boot. In the frame, between the loop 12 and the border 14, there is carried an elastic counter 16 having side pieces 17, which are shaped to elastically surround the rear parts of the hoof in the mounted position of the hoof boot on the hoof, as is best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The frame, comprising at least said loop 12, wall 13, and border 14, as well as the counter 16 and the side pieces 17 of the inner boot are elastic in the sense that they up to a certain expected load and strain return to their original shape. The elasticity may be inherent in the material, such as in the case of an elastic plastic, a rubber/synthetic rubber, or mixtures thereof.

The elasticity may alternatively or in addition be the result of a selected manufacturing method, such as a weaving technique, whereby the resulting fabric is afforded a non-locking stretchability. The stretchability and the elasticity may furthermore be different in different parts of the inner boot. Particularly, it is taught that the bottom 11 of the inner boot has a less flexibility and a greater resistance to strain than other parts of the inner boot.

Preferably, for the inner boot, and particularly in respect of the loop 12, a material is selected having toughness and ability to resist strain at lighter loads, and which upon strain acts like a spring that engages the pastern and provides a back up to the suspensory ligament upon raising of the joint/leg in the final phase of the footfall.

In the light of the large variation in size and weight that different breeds of horse have, it is appreciated that the invention cannot be limited to a more closely specified elasticity and strain capacity of the different parts of the hoof boot. However, the inner boot should have such stretchability that it can be opened manually so as to allow insertion of a hoof into the hoof boot.

In the mounted position of a hoof, the counter 16 is stretched over the rear protrusion of the hoof in such a way that the elasticity of the elastic counter is utilized in the interval of 30 to 70% and most advantageously in the interval of 40 to 60% of maximum stretchability. From this, it is also appreciated that the counter has sufficient elasticity to allow a natural hoof mechanism. By the fact that the counter in this way seals around the rear protrusion, it is prevented that gravel and stones or other foreign materials penetrate in between the hoof boot and the hoof.

FIG. 4 shows the inner boot 10 and the sole 1 in a mutually joined position. In FIG. 4, there are also illustrated a pair of straps 18 and 19 anchored in the sole, which are effective for the fastening of the hoof boot on a hoof in a way that is explained in more detail below.

With reference also to FIGS. 5 and 6, 7, and 8, it will now be explained in more detail how said straps 18 and 19 are arranged. A first strap 18 is anchored in the sole to run, in the mounted position, from one side of the hoof boot to the other across the front side of the hoof. Said first strap 18 may also be designated a front strap. A second strap 19 is anchored in the sole to run, in the mounted position, from one side of the hoof boot to the other above the back side of the hoof. Said second strap 19 may also be designated a rear strap. The straps 18 and 19 extend in intersecting directions R¹ and R², which on each side of the hoof boot intersect each other in a respective geometrical point of intersection IS_L, IS_R.

The first or front strap 18 acts to prevent the movement of the hoof boot rearward in relation to the hoof, and the second or rear strap 19 acts to prevent the movement of the hoof boot forward in relation to the hoof. Thus, the front strap 18 and the rear strap 19 will be force-wise operative primarily upon loading during a footfall. More precisely, upon loading, said front strap 18 produces alternately a resulting line of force toward the rear part or heel portion 5 of the sole, while said rear strap 19 upon loading produces a resulting line of force directed toward the front part or toe portion 4 of the sole.

The first strap 18 starts out from the sole 1 in such a direction R¹ that it is adapted to, upon mounting, run high up on the capsule of the hoof, and according to the embodiment example more precisely through the slot 9 in the tongue 8. The strap 18 may be elastic in its longitudinal direction, and is tightenable and fixable by means of an expedient locking device (not shown). Alternatively, or in addition, the strap 18 may have a Velcro tape for the tightening and fixation of the strap.

The second strap 19 starts out from the sole 1 in such a direction R² that it is adapted to, upon mounting, run above the hoof, and more precisely to run around the leg, via the pastern J of the leg. The strap 19 is elastic in its longitudinal direction, and is tightenable and fixable by means of an expedient locking device 20. Alternatively, or in addition, the strap 19 may have a Velcro tape for the tightening and fixation of the strap.

The strap 19 is furthermore coupled to a cuff 21 that is attachable around the leg and tightenable and fixable by means of a locking device, not shown in detail, such as a Velcro tape. The cuff 21 preferably consists of an inner layer of soft elastic material carried on the inside of a more stable outer layer, which can be tightened around the leg. The coupling between the strap 19 and the cuff 21 may in an advantageous embodiment be realised in the form of a channel running in the cuff and through which the strap 19 extends, movable in its longitudinal direction.

Said cuff 21 is suitably also connected with the inner boot 10, wherein the loop 12 of the inner boot in the area of its vertex, which is situated on the back side of the leg in the mounted position of the hoof boot, can be coupled to the cuff on the inside thereof to extend therefrom forward/downward toward the toe portion of the hoof boot. In doing so, the loop 12 is preferably fixedly anchored in the cuff 21 in the area where both run via the pastern at the back of the hoof and the leg.

A leash 22 co-operating with the strap 19 and/or with the cuff 21 may, where appropriate, be anchored in the hoof boot, for example in the heel portion of the sole, to efficiently guarantee that the hoof boot does not lose, even when moving in extreme terrain.

The straps 18 and 19 are preferably anchored in the sole 1 in such a way that they run without interruption, i.e., continuously, through the sole from one side to the other. The straps may be fixed in the sole by embedment in connection with the casting of the sole.

As may be best seen in FIG. 6, the first strap 18 may have, in the sole 1, an intermediate strap portion 18′, which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole, and which in each end, inside the side edges of the sole, connects to a respective strap portion 18″, which is angled forward toward the toe portion 4 of the sole.

Correspondingly, the second strap 19 may have, in the sole 1, an intermediate strap portion 19′, which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole, and which in each end, inside the side edges of the sole, connects to a respective strap portion 19″, which is angled rearward toward the heel portion 5 of the sole.

Alternatively, the angled portions 18″ and 19″, respectively, of the first and/or second straps may meet in the middle of the sole without any interconnected transverse strap portion, essentially in the way illustrated in FIG. 6 by dash-dotted lines concerning the first strap 18.

By the measures described above, the directions R¹ and R² of the straps 18 and 19 starting out from the sole are determined. In a preferred embodiment of the hoof boot, the directions R¹ and R² are determined in such a way, see FIGS. 5 and 6, that their geometrical intersection points IS_L and IS_R on the respective side of the hoof boot are situated right opposite or in front of an imaginary normal N to the ground contact surface 3 of the sole at a point LC situated on the longitudinal centre of the same.

In its embodiment described above, the hoof boot provides, by the course of the strap 19 and the loop 12 via the pastern of the leg, a further support to the suspensory ligament T of the hoof, the extension of which is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8. Upon loading of the hoof during a footfall, see FIG. 8, a strain and stretching of the loop 12 are produced, as of the strap 19, as well as of the suspensory ligament T, and more precisely in essentially parallel directions. In this way, the built-in elasticity and springback force of the loop give an additional force that engages the pastern and primarily acts in the direction of the suspensory ligament.

The features being characteristic of a boot for hooves according to the invention, as well as features belonging to preferred and meritorious embodiments of the same, are seen in more detail in attached claims.

Claims

1. Boot for hooves of the type that is attachable to a hoof by means of two straps adjustable in their length, which boot for hooves comprises:

a sole (1) having an external ground contact surface (3) the shape of which essentially corresponds to the shape of the underside of a hoof, and which extends in the longitudinal direction (1) between a toe portion (4) and a heel portion (5),

a first strap (18) anchored in the sole and running from one side of the boot for hooves to the other, across the front side of the hoof in the mounted position,

a second strap (19) anchored in the sole and running from one side of the boot for hooves to the other, above the back side of the hoof in the mounted position, in such a way that the first and second straps extend in directions (R1, R2) intersecting each other on each side of the boot for hooves, the second strap (19) extending from the sole in such a direction that it is adapted to run on the back side of the leg above the hoof, and more precisely directed so that it, in the mounted position of the boot for hooves on the hoof, runs at the back of the pastern (J) of the leg,

wherein said second strap (19), on the back side of the boot for hooves, is coupled to a cuff (21) mountable around the leg above the hoof.

2. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, wherein said second strap (19), on the back side of the boot for hooves, is coupled to a leash (22) anchored in the heel portion of the sole.

3. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, wherein said second strap (19) is elastic in its longitudinal direction.

4. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, wherein at least said first strap (18) is embedded in the sole (1) and runs unbroken through the sole, the part of the strap embedded in the sole comprising a respective strap portion (18″), which is angled forward toward the toe portion (4) of the sole.

5. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, wherein said second strap (19) is embedded in the sole (1) and runs unbroken through the sole, the part of the strap embedded in the sole comprising a respective strap portion (19″), which is angled rearward toward the heel portion (5) of the sole.

6. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, wherein the geometrical point of intersection (ISL, ISR) of said directions (R1, R2) on the respective side of the boot for hooves is situated right opposite or in front of, but never behind, an imaginary normal (N) to the ground contact surface (3) of the sole at a point (LC) situated on the longitudinal centre of the same.

7. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, wherein the sole (1) is made of an elastic material, such as plastic, rubber, or mixtures thereof, and has a circumferential, raised edge (7), which is arranged to, at rest, lean upturned against the outside of the hoof as well as, upon loading of the hoof, spring outward to absorb the lateral expansion of the hoof.

8. Boot for hooves according to claim 1, further comprising an inner boot (10), which extends upward from the heel portion of the sole to the height of the pastern of the leg in the mounted position of the boot for hooves, and from this, its vertex, obliquely forward-downward on both sides of the boot for hooves, toward the toe portion of the sole.

9. Boot for hooves according to claim 8, wherein the inner boot is open obliquely forward-upward and terminated forward by a staying loop (12), which runs continuously from one side of the boot for hooves to the other and essentially parallel to and inside said second strap (19), via the pastern of the leg in the mounted position of the boot for hooves.

10. Boot for hooves according to claim 9, wherein the loop (12), in its lower end connecting to the sole, transforms into a border (14) that runs projectingly over the edge of the sole from one side of the boot for hooves to the other, via the heel portion of the sole.

11. Boot for hooves according to claim 9, wherein the loop (12) in its lower end transforms into a wall (13) that runs inside the edge of the sole from one side of the boot for hooves to the other, via the toe portion of the sole.

12. Boot for hooves according to claim 10, wherein a part of the inner boot, which is limited by said loop and border, forms a counter (16) that at least section-wise consists of an elastic material.

13. Boot for hooves according to claim 10, wherein a part of the inner boot, which is limited by said loop and border, forms side pieces (17) that at least section-wise consist of an elastic material.

14. Boot for hooves according to claim 9, wherein the loop (12) consists of an elastic material, and in particular has elasticity in its longitudinal direction from one side of the toe portion to the other, via the pastern in the mounted position of the boot for hooves.

15. Boot for hooves according to claim 11, wherein said loop, border, and wall are cast integrally.

16. Boot for hooves according to claim 15, wherein said loop, border, and wall form a frame to which the counter and side pieces are attached by agglutination, vulcanization, or needlework.

17. Boot for hooves according to claim 8, wherein the inner boot is connected to the sole.

18. Boot for hooves according to claim 17, wherein the inner boot and the sole are interconnected by a double cast method.

19. Boot for hooves according to claim 8, wherein the inner boot (10), in the area of its vertex, is coupled to said second strap (19), and/or to said cuff (21).