Abstract: Hoof shoe for a hoofed animal, preferably a horse, is provided with a bottom part and with a wall that encloses the hoof at the front and sides. An opening with approximately the width of the hoof is provided at the back, and a closure flap is provided which can be opened and closed at this opening and, in the closed state, can be pressed approximately with a form fit onto the rear part of the hoof by a tightening structure. The hoof shoe thus includes a shoe body which can be easily produced in one or two parts and of which the open rear face makes it substantially easier to fit and remove the hoof shoe, and of which the closure flap, in the closed state, ensures a secure fixing of the hoof shoe.

Abstract: A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.

Abstract: A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.

Abstract: A horse boot assembly includes: a boot body shaped to accommodate a hoof of a horse, a fastening device associated with the boot body for fastening the boot assembly onto the hoof, and an adapter. The adapter is compressed against a rear part of the hoof upon fastening of the fastening device.

Abstract: A shoe for the foot 5 of an animal, the shoe comprising a sole 10 and an upper part 20 that are connected to each other, and where the upper part 20 comprises an opening with a tightening mechanism 70 to tighten the shoe against the foot 5. The tightening mechanism 70 comprises at least one attachment part 50 which is secured to a toe portion 15 or heel portion 35 of the sole 10, and where the at least one attachment part 50 is located lower than the tightening mechanism 70 in the upper part 20 so that the upper part 20 is drawn down against the sole 10 on tightening to give a snug fit around the foot 5.

Abstract: A horse boot arrangement for a horse's hoof, the horse boot arrangement comprising a flexible sock member having a base portion for engaging a sole of the horse's hoof and a sleeve portion extending from the periphery of the base portion for covering the hoof, means for fastening the sleeve portion against the horse's hoof to ensure the flexible sock member remains on the hoof under working conditions, and rigid ground engaging means being detachably mountable to the flexible sock member via coupling means.

Abstract: A horse boot (10) includes a shell (12) and a gaiter (22). The shell has a sole (14) and an upper (16) with a vertical slit (18). The gaiter (22) is releasably attached to the heel of the upper and is wrapped around the pastern (P) above the hoof's hairline (C) and below the fetlock to anchor the shell to the pastern and function as a barrier against debris. The gaiter includes a portion of two-way stretch material (60) that makes it possible to fold it out of the way for ease of installation. The process is further facilitated by the slit (18) that allows spreading of the shell. By shaping the upper (16) so that it presses against the hoof (H), the boot is advantageously held in place using only the gaiter anchored to the heel of the boot and strapped to the pastern of the horse.

Abstract: An improved equine hoof boot, boot pad and boot and pad assembly that consists of a flexible boot and a shock absorbing pad disposed inside at the bottom of the boot, the pad having optionally a combination of soft and harder components.

Abstract: A horse boot (10) includes a shell (12) and a gaiter (22). The shell has a sole (14) and an upper (16) with a vertical slit (18). The gaiter (22) is releasably attached to the heel of the upper and is wrapped around the pastern (P) above the hoofs hairline (C) and below the fetlock to anchor the shell to the pastern and function as a barrier against debris. The gaiter includes a portion of two-way stretch material (60) that makes it possible to fold it out of the way for ease of installation. The process is further facilitated by the slit (18) that allows spreading of the shell. By shaping the upper (16) so that it presses against the hoof (H) the boot is advantageously held in place using only the gaiter anchored to the heel of the boot and strapped to the pastern of the horse.

Abstract: A hoof boot enables a user to cover, protect and/or treat a hoof. The hoof boot comprises an elastic, hoof-enveloping casing. The casing comprises an interior surface area, an exterior surface area, a ground-contacting bottom portion, a hoof-contracting intermediate portion, and a boot-holding upper portion. The interior and exterior surface areas are non-parallel at the intermediate and upper portions for effecting axially-varied inwardly-directed radial return forces under hoof-based tensile stress from the upper to the bottom portion. The interior and exterior surface areas are substantially parallel at the bottom portion for effecting substantially uniform upwardly directed return forces under hoof-based compressive stress. The casing is elastically actuable and returnable during hoof loading/unloading for improving blood circulation in the hoof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the number of steps of an animal moving on four legs, according to which an acceleration sensor (38, 29) detects acceleration in a plane in which the animal is moving, and wherein the acceleration is caused by the locomotion of the animals' leg. The invention further relates to an apparatus (1) for detecting the distance covered by the animal moving on four legs, comprising a housing (3) and a measuring unit provided within the housing, wherein the measuring unit comprises a step counting unit (22) comprising at least one acceleration sensor (38, 29), wherein the acceleration sensor (38, 29) is arranged inside the housing (3) such that it detects an acceleration substantially parallel to the plane in which the animal is moving.

Abstract: A horse boot buckle includes a plate with cable eyelets and six cable guides that provide multiple tension adjustments. In addition, the buckle lever includes three alternative grooves for engaging the tensioning cable, thereby providing additional tensioning adjustment. The tensioning cable is hooked to the upper on both sides of its front rim. The buckle lever is pointing up in its closed position, thereby preventing accidental release of the tension on the cable.

Abstract: A horse boot buckle includes a plate with cable eyelets and six cable guides that provide multiple tension adjustments. In addition, the buckle lever includes three alternative grooves for engaging the tensioning cable, thereby providing additional tensioning adjustment. The tensioning cable is hooked to the upper on both sides of its front rim. The buckle lever is pointing up in its closed position, thereby preventing accidental release of the tension on the cable.

Abstract: A protecting apparatus structure for protecting a horse's heel includes a protecting board engaged with the rear of the heel, a buffer support plate extended from an internal edge of the protecting board, a protrusion protruded from the center of the buffer support plate for supporting a horse's hoof, symmetric winged plates extended from both sides of the buffer for increasing the supporting area, a metal plate included in the buffer support plate and extended to an appropriate height, a soft protecting plate sewed into an internal edge of the protecting board, a Velcro strap at an upper edge of the protecting plate, and a tying strap at a lower edge of the protecting plate. The buffer support plate provides a buffer for supporting the hoof and preventing discomfort or injury to a horse while the horse is running or jumping and improves the safety protection of the hoof.

Abstract: The animal wound shield is a protective casing having a shank portion and an appendage cover that can be disposed around a limb and an attached appendage of the animal. The appendage cover is articulated to a lower end of the shank. Thus, the appendage cover is pivotally connected to the shank and moves with the movement of the appendage. The shank may have more than one section, or an upper and lower portion, to extend further up on the limb, and yet still accommodate for joints. The shield is designed for use around an injured limb to cover a bandaged area and prevent further damage to the wounded site. Vent openings are defined in the shank and the appendage cover to permit air circulation. Fasteners may be used at a top end of the shank to hold the shank on the limb.

Abstract: An equine multi-purpose protector boot comprising: (a) a sole member rigid enough to resist lateral movement of the hoof with an upwardly depending rim extending around its periphery at least at the toe and at each side, the inner surface of the rim being substantially vertical at least in the region of the sides: (b) at least one flexible side flap located at each side of the hoof, attached to or integral with the sole member; (c) an outer compressive cover provided with means to force the side flap into conformation with the shape of the hoof; (d) a flexible heel member attached to the rear of the sole member and including at least one fastening strap (16) adapted to pass around the pastern bone within the range of 2 to 3.5 cm above the coronary band.

Abstract: A horse boot that resists turning on the horse's hoof when the horse is jumping, running and turning in water, mud, sand and sawdust comprises a bell portion having an internal protrusion, a cuff extending above the top of the bell portion sufficient to reach or almost reach the fetlock of the horse and a fastener for securing the boot onto the horses hoof is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of making the boot.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a comfort management system for equine and, in particular, to a multi-purpose, multi-functional hoof-ware device, boot or shoe and multiple, interchangeable inserts for all equine hooves that uses, attaches, wraps, and fits the hoof while the equine is stalled, walking, trotting, loping for the purposes of protection, healing, alignment. cushioning and/or any other medicinal purposes for any given period of time fitting all sizes of equine hooves in multiple hoof environments, such as, diagnostics, normal use, during and after performance, corrective, medicinal purposes, emergencies situations, for preventative purposes, and rehabilitation of the hoof.

Abstract: A flexible boot (10) for use with livestock comprising a flat sole (13) made of a relatively harder material and a relatively resilient and extensible wall (11) having the shape of a truncated cone. The wall (11) includes a fastening element comprising (a) an outer fastenable surface and (b) one or more flexible non extensible straps (14,15) attached at one end to the wall (11) and having a reversible hook and eye fastener elements capable of forming a reversible attachment along their length to the wall (11) so that the boot (10) may be fitted over a hoof. In use the boot (10) forms a substantially sealed cavity (19) around the hoof and medication may be introduced into the cavity (19).

Abstract: The aqua boot for horses is a device which is designed for rehydration of a horses hoof in order to prevent excessive dryness and cracking of the hoof. The boot is a structured sponge or plastic foam wrap having an inside shoulder for attaching to and conforming to a dehydrated hoof of a horse. The boot is a layer of absorbent foam or sponge material having apertures, adhered to a rubber or vinyl backing material with mating strips of hook and loop fastening material attached to opposite ends of the sponge or foam so that the boot may be wrapped around the horse's hoof. The foam or sponge layer is soaked in water, ice or other moisturizing liquid, lotion, or gel, and wrapped about the hoof with the sponge layer in contact with the hoof.

Abstract: The aqua boot for horses is a device which is designed for rehydration of a horses hoof in order to prevent excessive dryness and cracking of the hoof. The boot is a structured sponge or plastic foam wrap having an inside shoulder for attaching to and conforming to a dehydrated hoof of a horse. The boot is a layer of absorbent foam or sponge material having apertures, adhered to a rubber or vinyl backing material with mating strips of hook and loop fastening material attached to opposite ends of the sponge or foam so that the boot may be wrapped around the horse's hoof. The foam or sponge layer is soaked in water, ice or other moisturizing liquid, lotion, or gel, and wrapped about the hoof with the sponge layer in contact with the hoof.

Abstract: A shoe (1) which can be slipped over a hoof of an animal, particularly a horse, has at least one base part (2) approximately adapted to the hoof, on which base part is formed a wall (3) to be adjusted to the hoof of the animal. On the inner side of the wall (3) is provided an element (11) comprising an elastically deformable material, which element is at least partially surrounded by the wall (3) and can be pressurized with a fluid medium.

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.

Abstract: A horse shoe cassette system for an animal's hoof. The cassette system comprises a plurality of hollow holders that are screwed into the hoof. Each holder has a threaded outside surface and a threaded inside opening defined therein. A flexible covering, of a general hollow ungulate shape to fit an ungulate's hoof, has a bottom plate that includes a first opening defined therein. A horse shoe is attached to the bottom plate of the flexible covering and the horse shoe has a second opening. A threaded screw member extends through the first and second openings and is screwed into the threaded inside opening of the holder disposed in the hoof.

Abstract: A surgical slipper for a cleft footed animal. The slipper has a lattice of intersecting ribs 6 projecting downwardly from the sole 3. The upper surface of the sole 3 slopes downwards from back to front. The front of the sole has a curved profile.

Abstract: A first panel is adapted to cover a bottom of a horse's hoof. A second panel extends upwardly from the perimeter of the first panel and includes a front portion, two opposing side portions and a back portion. The front portion is adapted to cover a front of a horse's hoof; the side portions are each adapted to cover a side of a horse's hoof; and the back portion is adapted to cover a back of a horse's hoof. The second panel forms an opening positioned opposite the first panel for insertion of a horse's hoof there-through. The back portion includes two sides and a triangular foldable portion at each of the sides, the foldable portions each connected to one of the side portions. A plurality of strap loops are distributed circumferentially about the second panel near the opening. A strap is configured to be inserted through the loops, and includes a buckle for securing the strap about the second portion.

Abstract: A horse boot of the type having a sole and flexible envelope with re-entrant folds for surounding the hores's hoof below the coronary band is improved by adding a movable back strap and movabale toothed side gripping plates capable of sliding forward during attachment of the boot. This modification provides an adjustable fit boot that better secures the boot to the hoof in a self-adjusting and natural way.

Abstract: A surgical slipper for cleft footed animals in either left or right claw configuration comprising a sole (3) and upper (1,2) which together define a cavity into which one claw of the cleft footed animal is, in use, fitted, and a lattice (4) in the form of an array of intersecting ribs projects from the underside of the sole. The ribs are thick enough to hold the claw away from the ground and the sole is arranged to be thin enough in voids between the ribs so that a hole can be readily punched for drainage purposes.

Abstract: A boot-type shoe for horses including a relatively rigid sole member, a flexible sleeve affixed to the sole member and extending upwardly therefrom, and an arrangement for securing the sleeve in engagement with a horse's leg to retain the shoe on the horse.

Abstract: A covering for the hoof of a horse is disclosed having a flexible sheet with a first side and a second side. The sheet is dimensioned so that a first side of the sheet flatly abuts against and covers the hoof of a horse. An adhesive coating on the first side of the sheet is provided for removably securing the covering to the horse's hoof. The other or outer side of the sheet has a glossy black, or flat black, or clear appearance which is highly desirable for show horses.

Abstract: A device and method for use in preventing laminitis in the foot of a horse includes a boot which is formed and adapted to fit over the horse's hoof. A bladder is positioned inside of the boot and beneath the frog of the horse's hoof. A pump is connected to the bladder and pulsates the bladder to provide pulsating pressure to the frog of the horse's foot to simulate the pressure applied to the frog when the horse is walking. Pulsation of the frog has the effect of removing fluid which may tend to cause a softening of the area where the coffin bone of the horse's foot attaches to the hoof.

Abstract: A dog boot having as particular portions a foot, ankle and calf, the calf and ankle being large enough to accommodate the dog's paw passing through. The front of the boot calf has a vertical opening, and there is provided a vertical panel, free at the top, providing a tongue for covering the vertical opening in both an open or relatively closed condition, for insertion and removal of the dog's leg from the boot. A horizontal belt is fastenable at optionally chosen vertical places along the back of the boot; and a vertical strap affixed to the boot along the rear portion of the calf provides both a carrying strap and a cover to guard against snags of the hook-like Velcro area which provides the holder body for the horizontal belt. Other features add to the boot's advantages.

Abstract: A horse boot, for enclosing a horse hoof to at least above its coronet band, comprises a flexible enclosure molded and adapted to fit around a horse hoof. The enclosure has inner and outer surfaces, an upper opening, a bottom portion and a wrap-around wall portion integral with the bottom portion. The bottom portion includes upper and lower surfaces and the upper surface includes a marginal portion. The wrap-around wall portion includes an upper rim, inner and outer surfaces and a vertical slit. The slit intersects the upper opening and terminates substantially adjacent the bottom portion, thereby permitting the upper opening to be enlarged for putting on or removing the boot from the horse hoof. A belt and buckle assembly is operably associated with the wrap-around wall portion for securing the boot around the horse roof. The enclosure includes a layer of absorent cloth material bonded to the inside surface thereof.

Abstract: A horse hoof shoe comprises a front part having a horse shoe like bottom portion and a wall portion upwardly extending from the bottom portion, a rear part formed as a cap and having a rear portion and at least one strip portion extending forwardly from the rear portion and engaging the wall portion, two upper loops and two lower loops provided on the rear portion of the rear part, two belts extending through the upper loops and the lower loops in a crosswise manner and also partially extending over the front part and each having one end arrested on the wall portion of the front part and another end located above the one end, and a tensioning device arranged at a front side and at the center of the wall portion of the front part and connected with the other ends of the belts, the tensioning device being selflocking and having a rotary bottom formed so that by rotation of the rotary bottom the belts are pulled forwardly or pushed rearwardly in a stepless manner without use of an additional tool.

Abstract: Footwear (4) for hoofed animals has a hoof-covering part (11) which covers the hoof (1) and is at least partially closed underneath by a sole area (5). This is joined to a fetlock section (16) which extends upward and has holes (26) for fastening by a band (22' or 22"), so that fastening is effected not in the regions of the hoof (1), but in the regions of the fetlocks (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an over-reach boot for horses, ponies and the like to protect the animals's forelegs from kicks by its rear legs. The boot comprises a number of strips or panels (4) which preferably overlap and which are provided at their upper portions (13) with loops (14) and apparatus (16) by which a desired number of panels (4) are threaded onto a strap (6) which is fastened around the foreleg with a non-slip buckle (8).

Abstract: A horseshoe apparatus protection assembly for Equidae comprising a flexible and elastic housing material with an outer cover comprising rigid material covering the protection assembly. The horseshoe is intended for the protection of the feet of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and other animals in the utilitarian and sportive domains. The inner housing may be stamped or cast using elastomeric materials to conform to the shape of the foot. The rigid material of the outer cover comprises synthetic resins including adiprene. The outer cover may also be adapted to be elastic at its upper regions to permit ease of fitting and removal of the horseshoe apparatus from the foot of the animal. The base or sole of the outer cover may be adapted to accommodate additional elements comprising calks, non-skid plates, horseshoes and like devices traditionally used in conjunction with foot coverings for animals.

Abstract: A horseshoe assembly adapted to accomodate a substantially whole part of a hoof of a leg is disclosed which includes a body made of elastomeric material of a configuration which corresponds to the bottom of the hoof, an inclined side wall portion molded integrally with the body of such a geometrical configuration as to snugly receive the hoof therein through its rear opened part from behind and a band to be bridged between both the rear end parts of the inclined side wall portion. The inclined side wall portion includes projections at the rear end parts on the side walls which are inserted through corresponding holes formed at both the end parts of the band. The band is engaged to the leg of a horse at the position located above the spherical raised portion on the lower rear part of the leg.

Abstract: This invention relates to animal hoof covers characterized in that provided a base, a toe cap fixed to the base and first and second fastener support means having tabs extending to either side thereof to which tie means can be mounted for securing the hoof cover to an animals hoof.

Abstract: A horse boot for resilient engagement about the hoof wall and adjacent hoof structure. A boot wall extends upwardly from the perimeter of a boot sole and includes a flexible rear wall portion of generally concave-convex shape. The rear wall portion is flexible to permit manual repositioning thereof downwardly about the rear edge of the sole to open the boot for passage of the horse's hoof into place. A raised rear portion of the rear wall contributes to hoof engagement. The boot sole may be perforate to receive horseshoe projections.

Abstract: A rubber material is molded into an enclosure of ungulate shape for engaging about and under a horse's hoof. The upper perimeter of the enclosure defines a rim, there being provided a generally horizontally forwardly extending lip across the rear portion of this rim. A flexible belt of textile material is arranged to pass through appropriate openings about the exterior of the enclosure immediately below the rim, the forward end portions of the belt being drawn together by a buckle to circumferentially contract the enclosure about the horse's hoof. The rear horizontally extending lip engages over the heel of the hoof to assure that the enclosure will stay in position.

Abstract: A horseshoe of molded composition having a sole and walls which substantially conform to the shape of a horse's hoof, the shoe is generally slipper-shaped with the front wall being high enough to cover a substantial area of the front wall of the hoof, and the rear wall is limited in height to avoid interference with the cartilage heel of the hoof, the top edge of the side walls slope downward from the upper edge of the front wall to upper edge of the rear wall, at least one reinforcing protuberance on each side wall for admitting self-threading screws for anchoring the horse boot to the side wall of the horse's hoof.

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.

Abstract: An improved horseshoe of molded composition having a tread portion shaped to cover the entire bottom of a horse's hoof and a flexible upwardly extending envelope portion shaped to conform to the walls of a horse's hoof and having a pair of triangular folds in the front portion to provide contractile flexibility, and an adjustable tensioning member being a flexible cable which is fastened at its ends to the front portion and which loops back on both sides of the horseshoe to engage sleeves secured the opposed surfaces of brackets affixed to the inside of the side walls of the horseshoe, and over-center tensioning means secured to the front part of the horseshoe for engagement with the flexible cable for snugging the shoe securely to the horse's hoof, the brackets also having inwardly downwardly slanting projecting barbs for non-slipping engagement with the side walls of the horse's hoof when the shoe is snugged on the horse's hoof.

Abstract: This plastic protection and wearing device for equidae hooves comprises a sole element attached to an upper element engaging the outer surface of the hoof and characterized in that the upper is open at its rear end, the rear end covered with a heel-piece notched to permit the passage of the horny heel plates of the hoof, the heel-piece having a front extension in the form of a pair of wing portions guided in relation to the sole and upper assembly in order to prevent any tilting of the heel-piece in relation to the said assembly when the hoof is enclosed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an over-reach boot for horses, ponies and the like to protect the animal's forelegs from kicks by its rear legs. The boot comprises a number of strips or panels (4) which preferably overlap and which are provided at their upper portions (13) with loops (14) and apparatus (16) by which a desired number of panels (4) are threaded onto a strap (6) which is fastened around the foreleg with a non-slip buckle (8).