DE102021001824A1 - Stimulating Hoof Boot (VibBoot) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device in the field of domestic, sports and other animal needs in the form of a hoof shoe or hoof boot with a vibration-capable base plate that can be releasably fixed to at least one lower extremity of a hoofed animal. By means of the induction of mechanical stimuli into the surrounding tissue, the present invention enables the general health promotion of ungulates as well as the prevention of degenerative joint diseases and/or their therapeutic treatment. In contrast to known devices, the present invention offers the advantage of mobile, flexible, practical and user-friendly application and reduced size.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to devices for use in veterinary medicine, in equestrian sports, but also in general pet supplies and in the field of animal therapy for hoofed animals.

The invention described below is a health-promoting measure for hoofed animals that follows the motto "animal welfare through technology".

In particular, the present invention relates to a therapeutically effective hoof boot for generating mechanical stimuli, hereinafter referred to as vibration or oscillation, as well as variants of the invention for optimizing the therapy of the hooves of hoofed animals and for fixing them to their lower extremities.

Background of the Invention

Taking care of the increasing number of people on planet earth requires, among other things, intensive livestock farming, especially hoofed animals such as even-toed ungulates (cattle, goats, pigs, sheep) and odd-toed ungulates (horses, donkeys).

Likewise, modern equestrian sport, but also the care of hoofed animals in zoological gardens, requires intensive use of stables or stable boxes. A disadvantage of such modern and intensive housing methods for hoofed animals is the greatly increased standing time in stables and stable boxes. In particular, when horses are kept in a box, they are not exposed to sufficient freedom of movement, as a result of which the animals' hooves do not receive sufficient blood flow due to a lack of movement.

This phenomenon can be observed analogously in other hoofed animal species with increased box life such as cattle, goats and sheep. The consequence of the lack of exercise is expressed in slowed hoof growth. Furthermore, inflammation or irritated muscles, ligaments and tendons as a result of work assignments and intensive sporting or similar stress or activity on the animals can only heal with a delay.

Further consequences of the lack of exercise are, on the one hand, the insufficient removal of metabolic waste products from the animal's hoof areas due to the reduced perfusion or blood circulation in the hoof area and, on the other hand, the accumulation of toxins in the adjacent capillary system. Thrombotic occlusions of this capillary system lead to microangiopathies, which impairs the natural nutrient supply of the hoof horn immensely. Inflammatory reactions can occur, which can then have negative effects on the coffin bone carrier (or the wall corium). Such a clinical picture is referred to as laminitis.

This serious disease can be caused by a variety of other causes, which are also consequences of intensive livestock farming. The most frequently occurring symptoms include metabolic diseases, incorrect feeding or malnutrition (excess protein, excess fructose), as well as incorrect loading of the hooves or overweight of the animal.

Chronic laminitis is one of the worst diseases that an ungulate can suffer. In severe cases, this often leads to death or forces the animal to be slaughtered, as already described by Hinterhofer & Auer, 2015.

The damage caused by these and other degenerative joint diseases such as hoof rot, inflammation or arthritis can be reduced with appropriate treatment. The medicinal administration of vasodilators, and the resulting widening of the capillaries, promotes the removal of toxins and the local accumulation of harmful breakdown products in the blood. This can reduce the severity of the diseases.

In this regard, a pilot study published by Halsberghe et al., 2018, indicated that treating the hoof with vibration or oscillations is a non-invasive, safe and non-labor-intensive therapeutic alternative to accelerate the horse's hoof growth, which has been putatively due to dilation of the capillaries. For the study, 10 horses were treated with vibration twice a day for 30 minutes, five days a week for 60 days. Both front hooves were measured from the hairline to the bottom of the hoof horn and compared to the pre-treatment hoof dimensions. Already after 30 days a significantly increased growth of the hooves could be measured. The same result was shown after 60 days.

State of the art

A way of preventing the serious course of a degenerative joint disease, such as laminitis or a similar disease in ungulates, especially in sportive and labor intensive horses, consists of having the animals walk on local walking devices which provide an additional swinging movement or vibration. The animal stands with all hooves simultaneously on a platform that is adapted to the size of horses of all types, such as the Power Vibra Station (VMS) from ms Horse GmbH, Gerstetten. A similar device, in a swing plate design but without an integrated treadmill, is offered by TheraPlate Revolution, Weatherford, USA.

A disadvantage of the prior art with regard to such devices is that, due to the complex production and size, these are rarely available quickly and can only be procured at great expense. In addition, such apparatuses cannot be used flexibly or in a mobile manner. Another significant disadvantage of such devices is the need for the animal to be treated to move independently. In the case of serious courses of degenerative joint diseases and above all the inflammatory processes in connection with laminitis, severe movement pains occur in the animal's hoof area, resulting in general lameness.

However, a healthy hoof is the basis for a healthy animal. The integrity of the hooves decides between life and death. Severe cases of laminitis usually require immediate and simple, as well as affordable and flexible treatment. Manual local therapies are to be preferred.

Various versions of hoof boots for therapeutic, medical and sporting applications on hoofed animals are also known in the prior art. A disadvantage of the prior art with regard to such hoof boots is that they do not have any solutions for reducing the symptoms mentioned and in this respect do not contribute to promoting the health of hoofed animals. Hoof boots of this type are only used like shoes by human users or are similar to rubber boots in their use.

The object of the present invention is to provide the technical implementation of a mobile device that is suitable for generating local mechanical stimuli in order to improve the perfusion of the hoof areas of ungulates.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous configurations emerge from the dependent claims.

In particular, the object is achieved by providing fixed footplate horseshoes capable of delivering a therapeutically effective mechanical stimulus, e.g. B. in the form of vibration, in the lower extremities of ungulates, especially the hooves to generate. These represent a universally applicable and more effective alternative to the solutions known from the prior art.

The disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art therapeutic products are overcome by means of the present invention, a mobile, motorized and vibrating hoof boot.

Detailed description of the invention

The object is achieved in particular by providing a vibrating boot for farm animals, specifically for hoofed animals, as described below. This has the significant advantage that the user can carry out the vibration treatment of the animal's hooves independently at different intensity levels, regardless of the severity of the disease and the lameness that may accompany it, and at any time from any location.

Astonishingly, the inventors found an increase in the hoof perfusion of the coffin bone carrier and the wall corium as a result of an intensive local and mechanical stimulation of the underside of the hoof or the edge area of the coffin bone carrier. An increase in hoof perfusion significantly reduces the likelihood of hoof and joint diseases such as laminitis and contributes significantly to risk reduction. Thorough research and development has led to the efficient integration of engineered elements capable of generating directed mechanical stimuli into structural elements that meet the highly complex mechanical requirements of ungulates.

As mentioned at the beginning, the invention described below therefore represents a health-promoting measure under the motto "animal welfare through technology".

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Aufsicht, in
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung als Querschnitt in Seitenansicht mit einer gegenüber 1 zusätzlichen zweckdienlichen Zusatzschicht oberhalb des Grundelements und einer modifizierten Anzahl und Positionierung der schwingungserzeugenden Elemente, in
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung als Querschnitt in Seitenansicht mit einem, gegenüber 2, zusätzlichen zweckdienlichen Zusatzschicht unterhalb des Grundelements und einer modifizierten Anzahl und Positionierung der schwingungserzeugenden Elemente, in
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung als Querschnitt in Seitenansicht mit einem, gegenüber 3, hinzugefügten erfindungsgemäßen Elements zur Fixierung der Vorrichtung am Huf des Tieres.

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to some exemplary embodiments and figures. The figures describe some embodiments, subject to further, also preferred, embodiments of the invention with further features that are not shown. The exemplary embodiments are intended to describe the invention without restricting it. are shown in

• 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in a top view, in
• 2 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention as a cross section in side view with a opposite 1 additional appropriate additional layer above the basic element and a modified number and positioning of the vibration-generating elements, in
• 3 a schematic representation of a preferred device according to the invention as a cross section in side view with a opposite 2 , additional appropriate additional layer below the basic element and a modified number and positioning of the vibration-generating elements, in
• 4 a schematic representation of a preferred device according to the invention as a cross section in side view with a opposite 3 , Added element according to the invention for fixing the device on the hoof of the animal.

As in 1 shown, the basis of the construction in a first embodiment forms at least one base plate (1) with a height in the range from 1 mm to 1,000 mm, preferably in the range from 10 mm to 100 mm and equipped with an irregularly angled or preferably oval to round base (11) from 5 cm ² to 2000 cm ² , preferably in the range from 25 cm ² to 400 cm ² . The at least one base plate (1) can have a wall area (12) with a wall area in the range of 1% - 30% of the base area (11) of the at least one base plate (1) and a wall height of 101% up to 300% of the height of the have at least one base plate (1). The at least one base plate (1) consists of suitable materials with a compressive strength in the range from 0.01 N/mm ² to 4000 N/mm ² . These materials include plastics or hard plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyetheretherketone PEEK, metals such as aluminum, steel, cast iron, titanium, vanadium or metal alloys and other plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) or polypropylene (PP), potting or synthetic resins such as epoxy resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, aminoplasts and other or further glass or (glass) ceramics such as silicate ceramics such as alkali aluminum silicates (quartz -) Porcelains or steatites, oxide ceramics such as aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ). Piezo ceramics (PZT) or titanium oxide (TIO) and non-oxide ceramics such as silicon carbide (SIC) or nitrides, but also suitable mixtures, mixtures or compounds of the materials listed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one base plate (1) is composed of a plurality of components of the listed materials in a number of 2 to 10.

In 2 a further advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown, wherein above the at least one base plate (1), between hoof and base plate (1) within the possible wall areas (11) analogous to a sandwich structure, at least one cover layer (21) made of robust and pressure-resistant materials with a particularly high vibration conductivity such as metals, metal alloys, ceramics or hard plastics.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention, as in 3 shown, comprises between the floor or the subsurface and the at least one base plate (1), at least one base layer (31) of a non-slip and vibration-damping covering made of suitable materials. These include, for example, rubber products, plastics and other synthetic or naturally inspired materials that are arranged underneath the at least one base plate (1). The at least one base layer (31) of a non-slip and vibration-damping covering can also be equipped with at least one system to increase static friction or stability (32), selected from: spurs, nails, profiles, knobs or other elements as well as mixed forms of these elements. This layer can prevent the animal from slipping and help ensure that the vibrations occurring in the at least one base plate (1) are efficiently transmitted to the connective tissue, muscles, ligaments and joints of the animal and are not transmitted to the ground.

In a preferred embodiment, such additional layers, more precisely at least one cover layer (21) made of robust and pressure-resistant materials with a particularly high vibration conductivity above and at least one base layer of a non-slip and vibration-damping covering (31) with at least one additional system for increasing static friction or stability ( 32) below the at least one base plate (1), provided in combination.

Both the upper and the lower additional layer can each have a base (11) which is adapted in shape and area to the selected shape and base (11) of the at least one base plate (1). The area can deviate by up to 15%, which creates both an overhang and an offset in the direction of the center of the additional layers the can. The additional layers also have a height of 1 mm to 1000 mm, preferably in the range of 10 mm to 100 mm. The additional layers are firmly or detachably connected to the at least one base plate (1) using suitable methods such as gluing, screwing, fusing or nailing.

By means of at least one suitable vibration-generating element (13), such as an asynchronously or synchronously working machine for generating oscillating, shearing or vibrating movements, selected from at least one type of eccentric, rotating, button cell, vibrating, shearing or Oscillation motors with a speed in the range of 5 - 100,000 ^rpm and a number in the range of 1 - 1,000, preferably in the range of 1 - 20 individual elements, a mechanical stimulus is generated in the hoof boot according to the invention and then in the hoof and the surrounding area transfer tissue of the animal.

In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one vibration-generating element (13) is arranged within the volume of the at least one base plate (1) or adjacent to the side or the edge area of this base plate (1), as shown in 1-4 shown.

For the sake of clarity, not every at least one vibration-generating element (13) is provided with a reference number.

The at least one vibration-generating element (13) is firmly or detachably connected to the at least one base plate (1) by means of suitable technical measures such as gluing, caulking, screwing, preferably by means of polymer resin casting or gluing this fixed or integrated into it.

In a particular embodiment, the at least one base plate (1) can be formed directly from at least one vibration-generating element (13) by using suitable materials and processing methods, such as polymer resin casting or by direct integration.

The electrical power required to operate the selected at least one vibration-generating element (13) is provided using transformers or modulators by feeding it directly from an available local power grid or by means of at least one electrical or electronic component based on induction technology, piezoelectric or photoelectric Functionality and / or based on suitable chemical or electrochemical energy storage elements such as accumulators, batteries or capacitors. The at least one electrical or electronic component can be arranged in the at least one base plate (1) or one of the optional additional layers of an embodiment according to the invention or provided as an additional separate element in the outer edge area of the same and conductively connected to the vibration-generating element (13).

The at least one electrical or electronic component is fixed to the at least one base plate (1) by means of suitable technical measures such as caulking, fusing, nailing, welding or screwing, preferably by means of polymer resin encapsulation or gluing or detachably connected to it, fixed to it or integrated into it.

According to the invention, the at least one electrical component also comprises at least one visual operating indicator and/or a charge level indicator when using chemical or electrochemical electricity storage methods.

Suitable electronic or electrotechnical components such as pulse width modulators, pulse frequency modulators, threshold switches or storage choke coils can be used to regulate the intensity of the electrical voltage, the current strength or the frequency of the supply of electrical power to the at least one vibration-generating element (13) and consequently the intensity of the vibration generated will. The target value is specified by means of mechanical elements such as potentiometers, pressure switches or other mechanical, electrical or electrotechnical components suitable for specifying the target speed of vibration-generating elements (13).

In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the basic function, this control unit can execute at least one further automated program that is different from the basic function. Such programs form the different sequence of oscillation pulses that have been compiled and stored in advance. By changing the current or voltage amplitudes, the intensity and frequency of the vibration can be changed continuously. Such programs should usually, but not exclusively, be described with synonyms such as "wellness", "therapy" or "basic". Preferably, the control unit provides up to 30 different automated programs ready. The program can be selected directly via suitable input devices, such as pushbuttons, rotary controls, buttons, rocker arms or switches integrated into the peripherals of the device, as well as touch-sensitive sensors.

In a further embodiment, the program is selected by means of a touch-sensitive monitor unit which is electrically conductively connected to the control unit and the at least one vibration-generating element (13).

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one control unit has at least one peripheral device that is suitable for receiving control signals, such as radio waves in the range from 500 MHz to 60 GHz, infrared signals or signals based on RFID technology and transmission by electromagnetic induction from suitable mobile end devices. receive wireless signals and send signals and data to them.

In another embodiment, as in 4 shown, the at least one base plate can be attached to the underside of the hoof and fixed to the hoof of the animal (4) by means of a suitable holder. In the simplest case, this can be in the form of flexible straps or other suitable, flexible materials or by means of straps such as Velcro straps and lace and buckle systems. A sandal-like design of the vibrating hoof boot can be produced here.

More complex variants are boot-like in that the at least one base plate (1) is attached to one side of one of the open base surfaces (11) or the wall area (12) of a cylindrical cavity open on both sides using suitable methods such as screws, adhesives, rivets or nails or such a holder (42) made of suitable materials is firmly or detachably fixed non-positively, positively or materially that the shape of a boot or a cuff for hoofed animals is created. The appropriate cylindrical support (42) is further referred to as a "jacket". This jacket can consist of several layers of cylindrical shapes with different outer diameters, which are separated from the next jacket layer by a cavity, but in the edge area on the open side like a seam or on the closed side, over the at least one base plate (1) form-, kraft - or are materially connected to each other. Suitable materials for the coat and the flexible straps, straps, (press) button, buckle or lacing systems are stretchable and tensile flat materials, fiber fabrics or microfiber fabrics obtained from synthetic or natural sources such as latex, rubber, nylon, elastane, neoprene and other polymer fabrics or natural or synthetic leather products with a material thickness of 1 mm - 50 mm.

On the open side, the coat can initially have at least one to six times the circumference of the leg of the animal to be treated and taper conically in the direction of the at least one base plate (1) arranged on it, as in particular in 4 shown. The coat can be belled or notched on the back in such a way that a reduction in the circumference and thus an adaptation to the lower extremity of the animal can be achieved by simple folding. The coat folded in this way can be fixed to a lower extremity of the hoofed animal by means of suitable closure systems (41), such as, for example, but not exclusively, Velcro, (press)buttons, straps, zippers or buckles, as also in 4 shown. Other ways of fixing the animal's leg are elastic bands on the open side of the coat, eyelets, hooks or clamps.

In a further embodiment, the at least one vibration-generating element (13) is located on the shell surface or in a cavity between the layers of the shell or is attached to its outer or inner surface.

The entire musculoskeletal system of the animal's hoof and leg is simulated by the use of the present invention and due to the induced mechanical impulses of a high-intensity training. The vibration treatment of the hoof stimulates the dilatation of the blood vessels in the treated extremity of the animal and thus increases the perfusion in the hoof area and consequently the supply of nutrients and the removal of metabolic waste products.

Due to the effects triggered by the induced vibration on the animal's metabolism, horny cells are also increasingly formed in the long term, as the aforementioned study also showed. The vibration thus has the effect of a training session and is also likely to lead to strengthening and a stronger, improved hoof horn over the long term. The better the horse is trained, the more the hoof is perfused, resulting in the production of horny cells. The treatment can also have a positive effect on the animal's muscular system, as shown by Kirchdorfer, 2009.

The multiplication of the horn cells accelerates the growth of the horn and thus improves the quality of the hoof, in which the old hoof can be trimmed back more frequently and the healthy hoof grows back more quickly. This is how it is created a healthy and hard-wearing hoof horn in an accelerated manner. For example, damage to the horn wall such as horn crevices and chasms can grow out more quickly. Even with a lame-free, healthy horse, a malposition can be corrected more efficiently by trimming the hooves due to faster growth. The vibration creates an increased perfusion and thus an improved supply of the articular cartilage and as a result causes the increased formation of the synovia, a viscous, stringy, clear synovial fluid, in the joint capsule. This in turn has a positive influence on the distance between the cartilage in the joint sections due to an optimized supply of nutrients. The vibration also reduces wear and tear on the navicular roller, which is why improved mobility and flexibility can be seen when using the therapy. The navicular roll includes all moving parts of the lower leg up to the knuckle bone, consequently the connective tissue, muscle tissue as well as the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bursa and bones. Due to the blood circulation in the navicular bone, the cartilage layers and the bursa, the tendon gliding ability is improved. In the case of reduced lubricity, i.e. the efficiency of the bursa, this irritates the tendons in such a way that in many cases a pathological condition cannot be prevented. The navicular bone (lat. Os sesamoideum distale), a small section of bone in the deep flexor tendon of hoofed animals, is perfused more strongly by the induced mechanical stimuli and is therefore supplied with nutrients more optimally. Particularly noteworthy is the effect of mechanical stimuli in pathological conditions.

The positive effect of the treatment of hoofed animals with devices according to the invention on the joint space of the hoof should also be emphasized. The wider the joint space, the healthier the cartilage tissue, as the synovial membrane produced by the synovial membrane has a shock-absorbing and friction-reducing effect. For example, if the articular cartilages collide due to a small joint gap, uncontrolled and unwanted internal bone proliferation can occur, which in turn can lead to lameness due to the intense local pressure.

The induced mechanical stimuli stimulate synovial production, which increases the joint space and reduces friction within the cartilage tissue. This effect counteracts inflammatory joint diseases and the pathological condition "arthritis" as well as the lameness that usually occurs as a result.

Another effect of the vibration is the loosening of adhesions in the tendons and ligaments. These areas cannot be treated manually by professionals or the pet owner. Therefore, a massage effect is induced by the vibration, which replaces such therapy more efficiently.

The increased perfusion of the skin in the area of the lower limbs also prevents skin diseases. The vibration is also a supportive measure in medical therapies and can be used in addition to or as an alternative to veterinary treatments, especially during aftercare.

The induced mechanical stimuli such as vibrations also stimulate the lymphatic system of the hoofed animal, which promotes the lymph flow or the removal of lymph fluid in the lower area of the limbs of the hoofed animal. The consequence of this is that the supply of these extremities with electrolytes is optimized. Swelling or edema is removed more efficiently and the limbs become more flexible, especially in older horses or after an injury to the bursa or ligaments or in the case of hematomas as a result of bruises.

In a preferred embodiment, thermal energy or heat is fed directly or indirectly into the at least one base plate (1) and/or into the casing. At least one suitable electrically operated heating element such as electrical resistors, fan heaters, infrared heating elements, magnetic induction elements, heating spirals or coils and hot water tanks or pumps is integrated in an intermediate layer of the jacket or attached to a surface. This can also be operated using the electronic component and the selected energy supply and controlled using the at least one control unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the jacket and the at least one base (11) and the non-positive, positive and/or material connection can be designed to be impervious to various liquids. For this purpose, seams and transitions are sealed using suitable methods and materials such as adhesives, silicone, thermal or ultrasonic treatment. The jacket and the at least one base plate (1) are designed in such a way that liquids such as aqueous solutions, solutions containing veterinary medicines or liquids containing lipids, as well as chemicals commonly used for the treatment of ungulates, can be conducted in the innermost cavity and a minimal Permeation rate is reached at ambient pressure.

In very dry weather conditions, the animal's hoof horn also dries out. Such desiccated hoof horn hardens greatly and becomes resistant to the natural abrasion of the hoof horn. As a result, the hoof horn loses the flexibility to transmit motive forces to the ground and can crack under stress. Injuries to the hoof, so-called horn clefts, occur. Furthermore, the reduced flexibility impairs the physiological hoof mechanism and subsequently blood circulation, resulting in a drastically reduced renewal of the hoof horn.

Due to the technical solution of this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating hoof boot can be filled with liquids during the treatment and thus has a positive influence on the moisture balance of the hoof horn. This counteracts the drying out and hardening of the hoof horn, which means that the hoof horn remains flexible and hard-wearing in the long term and supports a natural hoof function. The moisture balance in the hoof horn can continue to be adjusted to the climate-dependent soil and air conditions through the irrigation supplied.

The primary advantage of the fluid-resistant, fluid-fillable embodiment of the stimulating hoof boot is the ability to extend the duration of treatment of the animal's hoof areas with therapeutic fluids provided therein. The pores of the hoof horn must be open to absorb liquids. On average, this effect occurs after a contact time with liquids of about 10 to 15 minutes, which allows the hoof horn to absorb these liquids or the veterinary medicines contained, for example. Acute treatment using short-term moisturizing measures such as hosing off, watering, etc. cannot produce this effect. Essentially, only the underside of the hoof, i.e. the stepping surface, can mainly absorb water, since the majority of the pores described, which can absorb liquids when open, are located on the underside of the hoof.

The device and method details described above are presented in context and are to be interpreted in this context. However, it should be pointed out that they can also be and be used independently of one another and can also be freely combined with one another. The relationships between the individual components and sections shown in the following figures and their dimensions and proportions are not to be understood as limiting. Rather, individual dimensions and proportions may deviate from those shown.

Reference List

1

base plate

11

Floor space

12

wall area

13

vibration generating element

21

top layer

31

base layer

32

System to increase static friction or stability

4

hoof of the animal

41

locking system

42

Cylindrical mount

Claims (8)

Stimulator, comprising at least one base plate with an oval, concentric or angular base; at least one asynchronously or synchronously operating machine for generating mechanical stimuli in the form of oscillatory, shearing or vibrational energy, arranged at the outer edge area, within the edge area of the base plate, integrated into it or forming it; wherein the stimulation device is set up to be releasably fixed at a time to a lower extremity of an ungulate that is positioned on the at least one base plate and to transmit the generated mechanical stimuli into the surrounding tissue of this lower extremity. stimulation device claim 1 , wherein the at least one base plate is formed from at least one material or a mixture, mixture or combination of at least two materials with a compressive strength in the range from 0.01 N/mm2 to 4,000 N/mm2 and/or a height of 1 mm to 1,000 mm, preferably 10 mm to 100 mm and/or a base area of 5 cm ² to 2,000 cm ² , preferably 25 cm ² to 400 cm ² and/or a wall area with a wall area of 1% - 30% of the base area of at least one base plate and a total wall height of 101% up to 300% of the height of the at least one base plate. Stimulator according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , further comprising at least one cover layer made of at least one vibration-conducting material selected from metals, metal alloys, ceramics or hard plastics, arranged above the at least one base plate and/or at least one base layer made of a non-slip and vibration-damping covering consisting of synthetic or naturally inspired materials, arranged below the at least one base plate, wherein the shape and/or the size of the base area of the at least one cover layer or the at least one base layer corresponds to the shape and/or the size of the base area of the at least one base plate or by up to 15 % deviate from this, with the additional layers each independently having a height of 1 mm to 1,000 mm, preferably 10 mm to 100 mm and/or the at least one base layer having at least one element for increasing static friction and/or stability, or mixed forms such elements included. Stimulator according to one of Claims 1 - 3 , wherein the at least one asynchronously or synchronously working machine is selected from at least one type of eccentric, rotary, button cell, vibration, shearing or oscillating motor or from a mixture of at least two different types of these motors and/or is designed with a speed from 5 - ^100,000 rpm. stimulation device claim 4 , wherein the electrical power required to operate the at least one asynchronously or synchronously operating machine using transformers or modulators by feeding it directly from an available local power grid and/or using at least one electrical or electronic component based on induction technology, piezoelectric, photoelectric and/or chemical or electrochemical energy storage elements is provided, wherein at least one visual operating indicator and/or a charge status indicator is also provided when using chemical or electrochemical electricity storage methods. Stimulator according to one of Claims 4 - 5 , wherein the intensity of the mechanical stimuli provided can be regulated by means of at least one mechanical, electrical or electrotechnical component and the at least one mechanical, electrical or electrotechnical component is set up to execute at least one additional automated program that differs from the basic function of the stimulation device, wherein the The setpoint specification is entered via mechanical input devices integrated into the device periphery, touch-sensitive monitor units and/or by a wirelessly transmitted control signal from a mobile terminal device. Stimulator according to one of Claims 1 - 6 , whereby the at least one base plate can be fixed directly to the underside of the hoof in the manner of a sandal by using at least one holding and/or fixing system or mixed forms of different holding and/or fixing systems, or is designed in such a way that the at least one base plate is tapered to a cylindrical shape Coat, formed from at least one layer of a synthetic or natural flat material, fiber fabric or microfiber fabric, with a material thickness of 1 mm - 50 mm, preferably 1 mm -10 mm, is fixed or surrounded by it and is connected to the at least one holding system, so that the at least one base plate in the form of a hoof boot can be fixed to the underside of the hoof, the boot thus formed and the connection points being designed to be impervious to various liquids and being able to be filled. Stimulator according to one of Claims 1 - 7 , wherein the at least one base plate and/or the cylindrical to comically tapering coat are designed in such a way that heat can be transferred to the adjacent material and/or the adjacent tissue of a lower extremity of an ungulate by means of thermal energy-generating elements.

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