WO2003015509A1

WO2003015509A1 - A holder for a shoe for a hoof of a horse

Info

Publication number: WO2003015509A1
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clarin Mustad
Original assignee: Mustad Hoofcare S.A.
Priority date: 2001-08-15
Filing date: 2001-08-15
Publication date: 2003-02-27

Abstract

A holder (1) suitable to form together with a horseshoe a hoof-shoe for a hoof of a horse has an upper and a lower portion (2,3). The lower portion (3) has a first surface (4) intended for mounting to a horseshoe, a first edge (5) and a second surface (6) intended to be placed onto a bottom side of a hoof. The upper portion (2) has a second edge (7) and a second surface (8) intended to be placed onto an outer surface of a hoof. The lower and upper portion (3,2) are interconnected and define an angle (9) with an angle apex (10). Said angle (9) corresponds substantially to an angle between the bottom side and the outer surface of the hoof. Said first edge (5) is located remote from the angle apex (10) and the lower portion (3) has one or a plurality of slits (11) extending from the first edge (5) to the angle apex (10). Furthermore, it is provided a hoof-shoe comprising a holder (1) according to the invention, a method and a set for producing such a shoe.

Description

A holder for a shoe for a hoof of a horse

Technical Field

The invention concerns a holder for a shoe for a hoof of a horse (below referred to as hoof-shoe) , a hoof-shoe having said holder and a set for producing this hoof-shoe according to the independent claims.

Background Art

Hitherto, hoof-shoes either serve for avoiding nailing on a hoof or for the protection of injured hoofs, specifically for the protection of the soles of a hoof. Furthermore, in order to reduce or avoid the adherence of snow to the hoof or for other protection purposes, such hoof-shoes are also suitable.

So far, a hoof-shoe is known which consists of a horseshoe and a holder for mounting the horseshoe to the hoof. Such a horseshoe is e.g. mounted to the bottom side of the holder by integration into the holder during production, such that it is not possible any more to remove said horseshoe from said hoof-shoe without destroy- ing said holder.

In addition, the above-mentioned construction of a hoof-shoe does not allow to exchange a mounted horseshoe for a new horseshoe or a horseshoe of another type or form or to mount any kind of inlet such as cor- rection soles between the holder and the horseshoe.

Furthermore, it is only possible to adjust such a hoof-shoe to an arbitrary hoof in a limited scope as the specific horseshoe which is already integrated into the holder does not fit to any hoof and only can be adjusted by cold-forming.

As a consequence thereof, today, either limited fitting has to be accepted, or a lot of different types of hoof-shoes as well as a corresponding amount of different molds have to be provided since the hoof-shoes of the state of the art are normally produced by injection molding. Even though - out of a multitude of different hoof-shoes - a specific hoof-shoe would fit more or less to a hoof - a therein-integrated horseshoe still has to be slightly adjusted to the hoof by cold forming. During this adjusting procedure, the horseshoe often breaks. Therefore, farriers do not like to work with such hoof- shoes .

Disclosure of the Invention

Hence, it is an object of the invention to provide a holder suitable to form together with a horseshoe a hoof adapted hoof-shoe.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hoof-shoe comprising a horseshoe and a holder according to the invention.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for producing a hoof-shoe according to the invention. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a set for producing a hoof-shoe according to the invention.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention is manifested by the features that are mentioned in the independent claims .

As a first object of the invention, it is provided a holder for a hoof-shoe; said holder comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; said lower portion having a first surface intended for mounting to a horseshoe, a first edge and a second surface intended to be placed onto a bottom side of a hoof; said upper portion having a second edge and a second surface intended to be placed onto an outer surface of a hoof; which lower and upper portion are interconnected and define an angle with an angle apex; which angle corresponds substantially to an angle between said bottom side and said outer surface of a hoof; which first edge is located remote from said angle apex and which lower portion preferably has one or a plurality of slits extending from said first edge to said angle apex which enable an adjustment of said holder to a shape of a hoof .

The term horse as it is used herein shall not be interpreted as being limited to horses, but it shall be understood to encompass all solid-hoofed animals such as, besides of horses, in particular also ponies, donkeys , zebras etc .

Because of the above mentioned one or plurality of slits, a holder according to the invention is adjustable to a hoof of any shape. It is another object of the invention to provide a hoof-shoe, wherein said hoof-shoe comprises a holder according to the invention and a horseshoe.

Such a hoof-shoe is adjustable to an arbitrary shape of a hoof of a solid-hoofed animal. This be- comes clearer by looking at the mounting procedure of such a hoof-shoe:

Firstly, the form of an arbitrary type of horseshoe is adjusted to the bottom side of the hoof by cold forming or hot-forming. Afterwards, this adjusted horseshoe is mounted to the first surface of the lower portion of the holder. Mounting the horseshoe to this first surface, the lower portion becomes rigid and, due to the slits therein, obtains the shape of the bottom side of the hoof. The next step is to mount this hoof- shoe to the hoof by placing the second surface of the lower portion to the bottom side of the hoof. Subse- quently, the upper portion of the holder can be placed and adjusted to the outer surface of the hoof. The adjustment of said upper portion is optionally done by a reinforcing element.

It is still a further object to provide a hoof-shoe which comprises a mounting means for a form- locked mounting onto a hoof, which mounting means is specifically designed for repeated mounting and demounting of said hoof-shoe onto and from said hoof, said mounting means comprising a mounting belt means and at least one connecting part formed at said hoof-shoe.

In comparison to the hoof-shoes, which are mounted to the hoof by an adhesive, the form-locked mounting of the holder provides the advantage that a hoof-shoe can be repeatedly mounted as well as demounted according to the current needs.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a hoof-shoe comprising a holder and a horseshoe, wherein said horseshoe is releasably mounted to said holder, in particular by nails. This provides the advantage in comparison to hoof-shoes known in the state of art, that a horseshoe - once mounted to the holder - can be exchanged without exchanging the whole hoof-shoe, i.e. if the horseshoe is time-worn or if another type or form of a horseshoe is needed or if a correction sole or protection sole shall be applied, the holder can be provided with a "new" horseshoe to form a hoof-shoe again.

It is another object of the invention to provide a set for producing at least one hoof-shoe according to the invention, said set comprising at least one holder according to the invention and at least one mounting means per holder for mounting said hoof-shoe to a hoof . For a farrier, it is convincing to buy a set, which comprises at least the hoof-shoe specific parts, rather than to acquire each part separately.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following de- tailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a holder according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of the holder of

Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the holder of Fig. 1-2 with a mounted horseshoe;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a holder with one recess clearance for a one clip horseshoe;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a holder with two recess clearances for a two clip horseshoe;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the holder of Fig. 1-3 with a first embodiment of a mounting means; Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the holder of Fig. 1-3 with a second embodiment of a mounting means; Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the holder of Fig. 1-3 with a third embodiment of a mounting means; Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the holder of Fig. 1-3 with a forth embodiment of a mounting means;

Fig. 10 shows a side view of a hoof-shoe with the holder according to Fig. 1-3, a correction sole and a horseshoe mounting means for mounting for mounting the hoof-shoe to a hoof; Fig. 11 shows an exploded view of the hoof- shoe of Fig. 10; Fig. 12a shows a perspective view of a modified lower portion of a holder of Fig. 1-3;

Fig. 12b shows a side view of a hoof-shoe with a modified lower portion according to Fig. 12a.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view and Fig. 2 a bottom view of a holder 1 for a hoof-shoe of the present invention. This holder 1 has an upper portion 2 and a lower portion 3 , whereby the lower portion 3 has a first surface 4 which is intended for mounting to a horseshoe, a first edge 5 and a second surface 6 which is intended to be placed onto the bottom side of a hoof. The upper portion 2 has a second edge 7 and a second surface 8, which is intended to be placed onto the outer surface of the hoof. The upper and lower portions 2,3 are interconnected and define an angle 9 with an angle apex 10, whereby this angle 9 corresponds substantially to an angle between the bottom side and the outer surface of a hoof. The first edge 5 of the lower portion 3 as well as the second edge 7 of the upper portion 2 are located remote from the angle apex 10. At least the lower portion 3 preferably has one or a plurality of slits 11 extending from the first edge 5 to the angle apex 10.

In a preferred embodiment - as shown in Fig. 1,2 - both, the upper portion 2 and the lower portion 3, have one or a plurality of slits 111,11 for adjusting the holder 1 to the bottom side as well as the outer side of a hoof.

These slits 111,11 enable an adjustment of the holder 1 to the shape of any hoof.

The slits 11,111 in either only the lower portion 3 or in both portions 3,2 preferably amount from 2 to 16, most preferably from 4 to 12. Preferably, said slits 11,111 are designed such that they divide the lower and preferably also the upper portion 3 , 2 into sections 12 , whereby the slits 11,111 extend from the first and optionally also the sec- ond edge 5,7 substantially to the angle apex 10.

But it is also possible that the length of said slits 11,111 is shorter. The number of slits 11,111 as well as their length has to be selected such that the holder 1 still can be well adjusted to a hoof. Furthermore, additional openings such as slits or slots that are designed such that two neighboring sections 12 still are connected partially to each other can be provided to allow the access of air to a hoof. If suitably designed, such additional slits or slots may also facilitate the adjustment of the holder 1 to the hoof .

Preferably the holder 1 is a one piece injection molded part which is easy and cheap to manufacture. But it is also possible that the lower and upper portion 3,2 are two separate plastics pieces, whereby the upper portion 2 can be mounted to the lower portion 3 for example by welding.

In general, all types of plastics are suitable to manufacture the holder 1 which can be used in in- jection molding and which are strong enough so that the holder 1 is strong enough to endure at least usual and preferably extreme demands on a horse, such as e.g. during a race, and at the same time are flexible enough to be adjustable to a hoof. Preferably, however, the holder 1 partially or more preferred totally, consists of polyurethane .

As the holder 1 preferably consists of plastics, in case of hot-forming the horseshoe for adapting to the hoof, care has to be taken that the horseshoe suf- ficiently cools off before mounting the horseshoe to the holder 1. The upper and lower portion 2 , 3 normally have a constant thickness between 2-6 mm. In general, any thickness constant or variable (see below) , is possible which allows that the sections 12 of the lower and/or up- per portion 3,2 still are adjustable to the hoof and guarantee the stability of the hoof-shoe, and that does not affect the horses movements.

In addition, the lower and upper portion 3,2 or the sections 12, respectively, are dimensioned such that a safe mounting of the holder 1 to the hoof is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the area of the upper portion 2 which is intended to be located adjacent to a rear, lower area of a hoof has recesses 14 or domed sections 14, respectively. This feature reduces stresses onto the holder 1, which occur due to deformations of a hoof during the horse's movements.

If such recesses 14 or domed sections 14, respectively, are not provided, the sections 12 of the holder 1 in this area might be damaged during use, or the stress to nearby placed fixing means might be too high.

In another preferred embodiment - as illustrated in Fig. 3 as well as Fig. 1 and 2 - the holder 1 has an abutment device 15 in the area of the angle apex 10 intended to be adjacent to the outer circumference 16 of a horseshoe 17 which is mounted to the lower portion 3. Specifically, this abutment device 15 is an abutment shoulder 15.

As shown in Fig. 3, this abutment device 15 or abutment shoulder 15 is interconnected with the front part 18 of the holder 1 where the lower and upper portion 3,2 meet, and preferably overhangs the first surface 4 of the lower portion 3 in perpendicular direction.

In general, the angle 19 between the abutment device 15 and the first surface 4 should be such that the horseshoe 17 is blocked along its outer circumference 16, usually about 90°. The length of the abutment device 15 or abutment shoulder 15 in perpendicular direction depends on the horseshoe 17 to be mounted, whereby the length should be at the maximum equal to the height of a horseshoe 17 optionally together with an inlet which is (are) mounted to the holder 1, preferably however said height is at the maximum 2 cm in perpendicular direction to the first surface 4.

Furthermore, said abutment device 15 is pref- erably designed such that it extends substantially along the outer circumference 16 of a horseshoe 17 mounted to the lower portion 3 in the area of the angle apex 10.

It is also possible that the abutment device 15 extends partially along the outer circumference 16 of the horseshoe 17. In this case, at least the side of the horseshoe 17 close to the toe part of the hoof should be blocked by the abutment device 15. The abutment device 15 can also be formed by some few isolated parts, such as at least two parts, one on each side of the toe or three parts, one at the toe, one on each side of the hoof, whereby such isolated parts preferably are placed and/or dimensioned such that they block the movement of the horseshoe 17 in forward and sideward directions.

The horseshoe 17 may be mounted by several means such as by an adhesive or, preferably, by mechanical fixing means such as nails 23. Mounting by adhesives is easy and fast, however, it has the disadvantage that such mounted horseshoe 17 can not easily be demounted for replacement, addition of a special sole etc. For mounting a horseshoe 17 and optionally one or more correction soles to the holder 1, preferably horseshoe mounting nails 23 are used, although other mechanical mounting means such as other types of nails, screws etc. are also possible. The second surface 6 of the lower portion 3 can be an unstructured plate, or it can be shaped to re- ceive a bent nail, or a metal plate shaped to receive such nail .

In a preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 3, the holder 1 comprises plates 20 which are placed on (or rather in recesses 39 formed in) the second surface 6 of the lower portion 3. These plates 20 have openings 21, whereby adjacent to said openings 21, there are preferably recesses 22 for the receipt of an about 90° bent end of a horseshoe mounting nail 23 which extends through said opening 21.

It is also possible but not necessary that the lower portion 3 has openings, with or without adjacent to them recesses for the receipt of horseshoe mounting nails 23. Said openings and/or recesses in the lower portion 3 need not necessarily be provided since the horseshoe mounting nails 23 are rigid enough such that they can be driven through the material of which the lower portion 3 is made of and the end of the horseshoe mounting nail 23 can be fixed by bending said nail 23 for about 90° or more, directly at the second surface 6 of the lower portion 3 such that said bent part optionally is at least partially embedded in said lower portion 3.

The lower portion 3 can also have recesses 39 for the receipt of a horseshoe mounting nail 23 or the receipt of plates 20 which are designed for the receipt of at least one and preferably one horseshoe mounting nail 23 each, the lower portion 3 has optionally a higher thickness than 2-6 mm so that either the nail 23 or the plate 20 can be safely mounted to the lower portion 3.

Irrespective of their mounting points on the holder 1, the plates 20 can be mounted to the lower portion 3 by an adhesive, preferably by a superglue.

In case, the horseshoe 17 to be mounted com- prises one or more clips, the holder 1 may be designed such that it has no abutment device 15, or an abutment device 15 that is placed such that it can not interfere with the clips, e.g. an abutment device 15 placed close to the first edge 5 of the lower portion 3.

In addition, the holder 1 preferably can be provided with or has recess clearances for the receipt of such one or more clips. Such clips can assist in positioning the horseshoe 17 to the holder 1, but in the case of recess clearances, they furthermore allow the fixing of the clips to a hoof in known manner.

Fig. 4 shows for example a holder 1 having one recess clearance 41, which is intended to be placed at the toe part of a hoof. In addition, it is also shown a horseshoe 17 with a respective clip 40 to be received by said recess clearance 41 of said holder 1.

In Fig. 5, a further embodiment of a holder 1 is illustrated. Said holder 1 has two recess clearances 41. Said recess clearances 41 are formed such that upon use they are placed on each side of a hoof. A corresponding horseshoe 17 with two clips 40 that can be placed in said recess clearances 41 of said holder 1 can also be seen in Fig. 5.

Such a recess clearance 41 is for example done by scissors 42, or a knife.

The holder 1, or rather the hoof-shoe, can be mounted to the hoof either by a "permanent" fixing means, such as an adhesive, preferably a superglue, or releas- ably.

Fig. 6-9 show releasably mountable hoof-shoes 24 having a holder 1 according to the invention and mounting means 25a,b for a form-locked mounting of the hoof-shoe 24 to the hoof. These mounting means 25a,b are specifically designed for repeated mounting and demounting of the hoof-shoe 24 onto and from the hoof.

Making reference to Fig. 6-9, the mounting means 25a,b consists of or contains a mounting belt means 25a and at least one connecting part 25b which is formed at or fixed on the holder 1. Said mounting means 25a,b is adjustable to a hoof of any shape. The mounting means 25a, b are designed such that the hoof-shoe 24 and the mounting means 25a, b, possibly together with the reinforcing element 27 allow a safe mounting of the hoof-shoe 24 to the hoof by enclos- ing at least an upper, rear area of the hoof in circum- ferencial direction.

Said mounting belt means 25a preferably is designed to be placed onto or to enclose or encase, respectively, at least part of the bulbs and part of the thereto adjacent portion of the frog. In order to avoid damages of those parts of the hoof, said mounting belt means 25a is preferably padded, much preferred with a padding adapted to the shape of the respective part of the hoof. Such padding can be of various materials, such as a silicone filled pad, a foamed plastics etc.

Said mounting belt means 25a - if not directly fixed on the holder 1 - may, and usually does furthermore comprises a part forming with the connecting part 25b a releasable or fix connection. Releasable con- nections can be provided on one or both sides of a hoof, however, if only one releasable connection is provided, said connection preferably is on the "outer side" of the hoof, i.e. the side more distant from the other hoof of the same pair than the "inner side". If two fix connections are provided (mounting belt means 25a firmly connected to the holder 1 by a connecting part 25b which is e.g. a seam or rivet, at least one, and preferably one disconnectible connection must be provided within the mounting belt means 25a. Means for providing fix connections are e.g. adhesives, seams, rivets, etc. and means for disconnectible connections are e.g. several embodiments of buckles and/or buttons and/or pins with at least one matching hole or slit or other linkage means in the counterpart, or buckles as those known from ski shoes, also with matching counterparts, or hooks and eyes, or buckles on a belt, or a belt on one part also carrying a buckle and an eye for receiving said belt and inverting its direction on the other part, whereby said connection means usually are fully exchangeable, i.e. they can either be on the mounting belt means 25a or on the upper portion 2. It is also within the scope of the present invention that more than one identical or different means for fix or disconnectible connections are present on and the same side of the hoof-shoe, or that the same or different fix or disconnectible means are present on the two sides of the hoof-shoe.

Some different embodiments of the mounting belt means 25a and connecting parts 25b are shown in Fig. 6-9.

In a first preferred embodiment - as shown in Fig. 6 - the connecting parts 25b are designed as bolt like protrusions, made for example of iron or steel, which are located at both ends of the upper portion 2 and at the outer surface thereof. Both ends of the mounting belt means 25a have at least one, preferably several holes 26 each or belt-like means comprising such holes 26 connected thereon (not shown) . Said holes 26 are designed such that the protrusions 25b can be inserted into the holes 26 to releasably mount the mounting belt means 25a - which has a constant length - to both ends of the upper portion 2. The distance between the holes 26 has to be selected such that the hoof can tightly be encased by the mounting belt means 25a.

Instead of a belt like protrusion and holes, one side e.g. a fix connection can be provided such as a rivet (not shown) .

Instead of bolt-like protrusions 25a on the holder 1 and holes 26 on the mounting belt means 25a, or on a belt-like means fixed on the mounting belt means 25a, buckles on the holder 1 and holes 26 on the mounting belt means 25a or on the belt-like means fixed on the mounting belt means 25a can be provided or vice-versa embodiments. It is also possible to use hook and eye em- bodiments, e.g. in combination with an elastic padding, or a mixture of such embodiments .

Furthermore - as shown in Fig. 6, the hoof- shoe 24 has slits 11,111. In such an embodiment, for a form-locked mounting, the mounting belt means 25a is supplemented by a reinforcing element 27 in the area of the second edge 7.

Said reinforcing element 27 extends along at least part of said second edge 7. This reinforcing element 27 - in a hoof-shoe that is mounted by a form-locked mounting means 25a, b - furthermore is designed such that it connects at least all sections 12 - which are formed by the slits 111 in the upper portion 2 - to a portion which is tension proof in circumferencial direction of the hoof.

In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing element 27 is fixingly mounted to the second edge 7 of the upper portion 2, preferably by an adhesive, after the lower portion 3 is fixed to the horseshoe 17 and the up- per portion 2 has been adjusted to the hoof.

In another preferred embodiment, the reinforcing element 27 is at least partially releasably connected to the second edge 7 of the upper portion 2. This type of reinforcing element 27 is designed to allow an easier demounting, and optionally also an adjustment and an adaptation of the distance between the sections 12. To form one part out of the sections 12 which is tension proof in circumferencial direction of the hoof, the reinforcing element 27 is releasably mounted by e.g. nails or other mounting means to the upper portion 2.

This kind of reinforcing element 27 provides the advantage, that the holder 1 of such hoof-shoe 24 - although once adapted to a specific hoof - can - at a later date - be also adapted to another hoof. The fixingly or releasably connectable or connected, respectively, reinforcing element 27 is pref- erably made of a material which is rigid but also flexible to a certain extent or lastingly formable.

Therefore, preferably plastics, such as polyurethane, or metal, as for example aluminium, can be used.

A reinforcing element 27 can also be firmly, i.e. not releasably, mounted for reinforcing purposes to an upper portion 2, which does not comprise any slits 111. In this case, the reinforcing element 27 serves for the purpose to reinforce the second edge 7. In such embodiment with an upper portion 2 comprising no slits 111, the mounting belt means 25a preferably is connected to several points or places, respectively, situated at different distances from the second edge 7 on each side of the hoof .

As can be seen in Fig. 7, a further preferred embodiment of a hoof-shoe 24 has a hook 28 on one or both ends of the mounting belt means 25a, optionally mounted on a stretchable material 251a, that is fixed on and forming part of the mounting belt means 25a. Depending on the number of hooks 28, on one or both ends of the upper portion 2, connecting parts 25b are located which are designed as eyes to releasably receive a hook 28. Also in this embodiment, hook and eye are exchangeable In another preferred embodiment - as shown in

Fig. 8 -, the mounting belt means 25a is in a three part form with two interconnecting parts 252a releasably connected to a main belt part 253a. Said main belt part 253a is intended to be placed on the bulbs of a hoof and therefore is preferably at least partially padded. The connecting parts 25b can be connected to the main belt part 253a and to the interconnecting parts 252a by any releasable means such as bolt-like protrusions, pins, buckles, hooks, whereby mixtures of such means can be provided at different places of the hoof-shoe 24. More specifically, the protrusions, pins, buckles 29 and hooks can be provided on the holder 1 or on the interconnecting part 252a and on the interconnecting part 252a or on the main belt part 253a. For keeping said releasable means away from the hoof in order not to injure the hoof, the connecting part 25b and/or the mounting belt means 25a may comprise or form one or more optionally padded protection flaps 31.

The mounting belt means 25a completely or partially is made of an at least slightly flexible material, in particular plastics or leather and preferably is designed as a cap or band.

These materials allow that the mounting belt means 25a snuggle to the rear area of the hoof, in particular to at least part of the bulbs and to the thereto adjacent the upper parts of the frog. Besides of mounting the holder 1 to the hoof by mounting means 25a, for form-locked mounting, it is also possible to mount the hoof-shoe 24 to the hoof by an adhesive.

For this, the adhesive is applied onto at least part of at least the upper portion 2.

Preferably, this adhesive is a superglue so that the holder 1 is quickly mountable to the hoof as horses do not like to stand quietly during too long time. Such a superglue is preferably based on cyanoacrylate. Normally, a superglue is effective within 3-5 s.

In general, all types of adhesive are suitable which are able to agglutinate the hoof-shoe 24 to the hoof and which harden in due time, so that a horse does not become impatient and endangers persons which are occupied with mounting a holder 1 or rather a hoof-shoe 24. Furthermore, adhesives are preferred that do not damage the horn of the hoof.

In comparison to mounting means 25a,b for form-locked mounting, an adhesive can not be released any more that easy and that quickly from the hoof, although such a release is also possible without damaging the holder 1. In a further embodiment, the holder 1 has an adhesive at one or more surface areas for mounting the holder 1 to the hoof. Such adhesive must be suitably storage stable, but after suitable activation fast cur- ing. These surface areas are specifically arranged on the second surface 8 of the upper portion 2 and optionally also on the second surface 6 of the lower portion 3.

In Fig. 9 is shown another embodiment of a hoof-shoe 24, wherein the mounting belt means 25a has two belt parts 254a and wherein one end of each belt part

254a is firmly mounted to the respective ends of the upper portion 2. The connecting part 25b by which the belt parts 254a are connected to the upper portion 2, is for example an adhesive or a rivet or a seam 258b. The belt part 254a can also be connected to the upper portion 2 by welding, provided that the materials are suitable. One of the two parts 254a has a buckle 29 at a second, opposite end. The buckle 29 is designed with a pin 30 which can be received in holes 26 provided in the other one of the two parts 254a in order to adjust the length of the mounting belt means 25a to the rear area of the hoof.

It is also possible that one of the belt parts 254a has bolt-like protrusion instead of a buckle 29, whereby the other belt part 254a has holes 26 which are designed such that the bolt-like protrusion can be inserted into the holes 26 for releasably connecting these two belt parts 254a. The distance between the holes 26 has to be selected such that the hoof can be tightly encased by the mounting belt means 25a. It is also possi- ble to provide one of the two belt parts 254a with one or more hooks and the other belt part with one or more eyes or other disconnectible means .

Furthermore, it is also possible that one or both of the two parts 254a and optionally also one or several of further belt-like means parts 255a of the mounting belt means 25a are padded or at least partially padded and that holes 26 to receive either the protrusion or the buckle pin 30 are in one of said further belt-like means parts 255a.

Fig. 10 shows a side view of hoof-shoe 24 mounted to a hoof 32 having a holder 1 according to Fig. 1-3, with a correction sole for adjusting the height and/or the angle of a hoof 32 and a horseshoe 17 mounted at the lower portion 3.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the angle 9 between the lower and upper portion 3 , 2 corresponds sub- stantially with the angle 34 between outer surface 35 and the bottom side 36 of the hoof 32. If need be, said angle 9 optionally - if the material allows it - can be slightly changed by e.g. hot-forming.

As the upper portion 2 has slits 111, there is arranged a reinforcing element 27 to the second edge 7 for stability reasons, and to allow a form-locked mounting of the hoof-shoe 24 to the hoof 32.

The hoof-shoe 24 is form-locked mounted to the hoof 32 by a mounting belt means 25a and connecting parts 25b.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, this mounting belt means 25a preferably includes or consists of a cap 36 or band 36 for a placing onto bulbs 37 of the hoof 32.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting belt means 25a in form of a cap 36 or band 36, respectively, which is placed onto the bulbs 37, substantially or at least in part, respectively, has the shape of said bulbs 37.

The mounting belt means 25a preferably has a padding 38 on its inner surface. The padding 38 reduces friction which may occur between the rear area of the hoof 32 specifically between the bulbs 37 and the inner surface of the mounting belt means 25a.

Fig. 11 shows an exploded view of the hoof- shoe 24 of Fig. 10 prior to the assembly if its individual parts. In this embodiment, it is shown that the horseshoe 17 as well as the correction sole 33 are mounted to the lower portion 3 by horseshoe mounting nails 23.

It is also possible that the upper surface 331 of the correction sole 33 is mounted to lower portion 3, and the lower surface 332 of the correction sole 33 is mounted to the horseshoe 17 by an adhesive layer, specifically superglue. Depending on the type of correction sole 33 or type of hoof to be corrected, respectively, the angle 43 between said upper and lower surface 331,332 of the correction sole 33 varies. Another possibility is that the upper surface 331 is mounted to the lower portion 3 by an adhesive and the lower surface 332 is mounted by horseshoe mounting nails 23 to the horseshoe 17. As the holder 1, the horseshoe 17 as well as the correction sole 33 represent three separate parts of the hoof-shoe 24, it is possible to disassemble the hoof- shoe 24 into these parts. Specifically in case the hoof- shoe 24 is mounted to the hoof by mounting means 25a,b for form-locked mounting, and the horseshoe 17 is mounted to the holder 1 by horseshoe mounting nails 23, it is easy to remove or exchange the horseshoe 17 from the hoof-shoe 24: Firstly, the mounting belt means 25a is released such that the hoof-shoe 24 can be removed from the hoof. Afterwards, the horseshoe mounting nails 23 are pulled out of the holder 1 and optionally out of the correction sole 33 such that the horseshoe 17 is freed. In this stage, another horseshoe and/or another correction sole 33 and/or protection sole 33 can be mounted on the holder 1.

In Fig. 10 and 11, there is only shown a hoof-shoe with one correction sole 33. Naturally, embodiments of a hoof-shoe comprising two or more correction soles 33 and/or protection soles 33 are also possible. These soles are used for example for adjusting the height and/or the angle of a hoof. They also serve for the pro- tection of the hoof-sole from abrasion or the adherence of snow.

In another preferred embodiment - as shown in Fig. 12a, b - the hoof-shoe 24 does not comprise a correc- tion sole 33. In order to still allow a correction of a hoof, the lower portion 3 - as can be seen in Fig. 12a,b - is modified, i.e. the lower portion 3 is thickened, whereby an angle 44 between its first and its second surfaces 4,6 is provided, which angle 44 substantially cor- responds with the angle 43 between the upper and lower surface 331,332 of a correction sole 33. Fig. 12a shows a perspective view of a modified lower portion and Fig. 12b a side view of a hoof-shoe 24 comprising such a lower portion 3. If the correction provided by a holder 1 is not sufficient, in addition, one or more correction soles 33 and/or - if desired - one or more protection soles 33 can be mounted.

Another aspect of the preferred invention is a set for producing at least one hoof-shoe 24. Said set comprises at least one holder 1 as shown in Fig. 1-3 and at least one mounting means, said mounting means being an adhesive or mounting means 25a, b for mounting this at least one holder 1 to a hoof 32.

The at least one mounting means 25a, b for form-locked mounting comprises at least one mounting belt means 25a which is specifically designed e.g. as a cap 36 or band 36 for placing onto or encasing at least part of the bulbs 37 of a hoof 32, respectively. Said mounting belt means 25a can be in one or several parts form. The mounting belt means 25 also comprises one or more connecting parts 25b, for example bolt-like protrusions and optionally one or more reinforcing elements 27, whereby e.g. bolt-like protrusions can already be fixed on the holder 1. The set optionally also contains means for mounting the holder 1 to the horseshoe 17 and/or to the correction sole 33 and/or the correction sole 33. Said means can be a set of nails or an adhesive.

This adhesive may be superglue, specifically based on cyanoacrylate, whereby for this adhesive neither the curing time nor the compatibility with the hoof are critical, since such adhesive usually is applied away form the horse. However, in order to avoid a mix up of adhesives, a hoof compatible superglue is preferred.

Furthermore, the set can contain one or more correction soles 33 and/or protection soles 33 and/or inlet soles 33 and/or horseshoes 17 and/or horseshoe mounting nails 23 or other types of nails.

In a preferred embodiment, the set also has plates 20 - as has been described with reference to Fig. 3 - each having an opening 21 and preferably also a recess 22 adjacent to said opening 21 for the receipt of an end of a horseshoe mounting nail 23 bent about 90° and extending through said opening 21.

While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims .

Claims

1. A holder (1) for a hoof-shoe (24); said holder (1) comprising an upper portion (2) and a lower portion (3); said lower portion (3) having a first surface (4) intended for mounting to a horseshoe (17), a first edge (5) and a second surface (6) intended to be placed onto a bottom side (36) of a hoof (32) ; said upper portion (2) having a second edge (7) and a second surface (8) intended to be placed onto an outer surface (35) of said hoof (32); which lower portion (3) and upper portion

(2) are interconnected and define an angle (9) with an angle apex (10) ; which angle (9) corresponds substantially to an angle (34) between said bottom side (36) and said outer surface (35) of said hoof (32); which first edge (5) is located remote from said angle apex (10) and which lower portion (3) preferably has one or a plurality of slits (11) , preferably from 2 to 16, in particular from 4 to 12 slits, extending from said first edge (5) to said angle apex (10) which enable an adjustment of said holder (1) to a shape of said hoof (32) .

2. The holder (1) according to claim 1, wherein said upper portion (2) has one or a plurality of slits (111) forming sections (12), in particular from 2 to 16 and more particular from 4 to 12 slits (111) , said slits (111) extending from said second edge (7) towards and preferably substantially to said angle apex (10) , and said slits (111) enable an adjustment of said holder (1) to said shape of said hoof (32) .

3. The holder (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said holder (1) comprises one or more abutment devices (15) in an area of said angle apex (10) , specifi- cally an abutment shoulder (15) intended to be adjacent to an outer circumference (16) of a horseshoe (17) which is to be mounted to said lower portion (3) .

4. The holder (1) according to claim 3, wherein said abutment device (15) overhangs said first surface (4) in perpendicular direction, in particular of at the maximum 2 cm.

5. The holder (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said abutment device (15) is designed such that it extends at least partially along said outer circumference (16) of said horseshoe (17) to be mounted to said lower portion (3) in said area of said angle apex (10) .

6. The holder (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein an area of said upper portion (2) close to the ends of said holder (1) which is intended to be located adjacent to a rear, lower area of said hoof (32), comprises recesses (14) or domed sections (14) , respectively, to reduce stresses onto said holder (1) during the deformation of a hoof (32) during the horses movements.

7. The holder (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein plates (20) are placed on said second surface (6) of said lower portion (3) or in recesses (39) in said lower portion (3), whereby each of said plates (20) comprises an opening (21) and optionally a recess (22) adjacent to said opening (21) for the receipt of an about 90° bent end of a horseshoe mounting nail (23) extending through said opening (21) .

8. The holder (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said holder (1) is a one piece injection molded part.

9. The holder (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said holder (1) comprises at least one connecting part (25b; 29, 31, 258b) for connecting said holder (1) with a mounting belt means (25a; 26,28- 31,36, 251a-255a) .

10. The holder (1) according to claim 9, wherein said holder (1) comprises a mounting belt means (25a;26,29,30,36,254a,255a) which is fixed to at least one side of said holder (1) .

11. A hoof-shoe (24), wherein said hoof-shoe

(24) comprises a holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a horseshoe (17) .

12. he hoof-shoe (24) according to claim 11, wherein said hoof-shoe (24) comprises a mounting means (25a, 25b) for a form-locked mounting onto a hoof (32), which mounting means (25a, 25b) is specifically designed for repeated mounting and demounting of said hoof-shoe (24) onto and from said hoof (32) , said mounting means (25a, 25b) comprising a mounting belt means (25a; 26,28- 31,36, 251a-255a) and preferably at least one connecting part (25b;29,31,258b) on or formed at said holder (1).

13. The hoof-shoe (24) according to claim 12, wherein said mounting means (25a, 25b) are designed such that said hoof-shoe (24) and said mounting means (25a, 25b) allow together a safe mounting of said hoof- shoe (24) to said hoof (32) by enclosing at least an upper, rear area of said hoof (32) in circumferencial direction.

14. The hoof-shoe (24) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said mounting means (25a, 25b) is adjustable to a specific hoof (32) .

15. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-14, wherein said mounting means (25a, 25b) is adjustable at the connection between the mounting belt means (25a; 26, 28, 36,251a) and at least one connecting part (25b) and wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26,28,36, 251a) is designed such that it is releasably mountable to said at least one connecting part (25b) and that its length is constant.

16. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-14, wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26, 29-31, 36, 252a-255a) is designed such that its length is adjustable for adjusting its extent in circumferencial direction along at least an upper, rear area of said hoof (32) , and wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26, 29-31, 36, 252a-255a) is preferably designed such that it consists of at least two parts (254a) , much preferred two (254a) or three parts (252a, 253a), and wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26, 29-31, 36, 252a-255a) optionally is releasably mountable to at least one connecting part (25b; 29, 31, 258b) or optionally fixed to both sides of the holder (1) .

17. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 11-16, wherein said lower portion (3) is partially thickened such that it has an angle (44) between its first surface (4) and its second surface (6) which substantially corresponds with an angle (43) between an upper and lower surface (331,332) of a correction sole (33) .

18. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-17, wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26,28-31,36,251a-255a) is designed to be placed onto or to receive, respectively, at least part of the bulbs (37) of said hoof (32), and wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26, 28-31, 36, 251a-255a) in particular is designed as a cap (36) or band (36) .

19. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-18, wherein said hoof-shoe (24) comprises a reinforcing element (27) which extends along at least part of said second edge (7) in the area of said second edge (7) .

20. he hoof-shoe (24) according to claim 19, wherein said reinforcing element (27) is designed such that it connects all sections (12) which are formed by said slits (111) in said upper portion (2) to a portion which is tension proof in circumferencial direction of a hoof (32) .

21. The hoof-shoe (24) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said reinforcing element (27) is fixingly mounted to said second edge (7) .

22. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-21, wherein said mounting belt means

(25a;26, 28-31, 36, 251a-255a) comprises a padding (38) on an inner surface.

23. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-22, wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26, 28-31, 36, 251a-255a) has at least in part a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of said bulbs (37) .

24. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 12-23, wherein said mounting belt means (25a;26, 28-31, 36, 251a-255a) is completely or partially made of a flexible material, in particular plastics or leather .

25. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 11-24, wherein said hoof-shoe (24) comprises at least one correction sole (33) and/or protection sole (33) for adjusting the height and/or the angle of said hoof (32), or for protection the hoof-sole from abrasion or from adherence of snow, which correction sole (33) or protection sole (33) is located between said horseshoe (17) and said lower portion (3) .

26. The hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 11-25, wherein said horseshoe (17) is releasably mounted to said hoof-shoe (24) , in particular by nails (23) .

27. A method for producing a hoof-shoe (24) according to anyone of the claims 11-26 comprising the steps of:

Adjusting the form of a horseshoe (17) to the bottom side (36) of a hoof (32) by cold-forming or hot-forming; Mounting a horseshoe (17) and optionally at least one correction sole (33) and/or protection sole (33) to the first surface (4) of the lower portion (3) of the holder (1) and optionally adjusting the upper portion (2) by connecting thereon a reinforcing element (27) .

28. A set for producing at least one hoof-shoe

(24) according to anyone of the claims 11-26, said set comprising at least one holder (1) according to anyone of the claims 1-10 and at least one mounting means (25a, 25b) per holder (1) for mounting said hoof-shoe (24) to a hoof

(32) .

29. The set according to claim 28, wherein said mounting means (25a, 25b) comprises a mounting belt means (25a;26, 28-31, 36, 251a-255a) , specifically a cap (36) or band (36) in one or several parts form, suitable for encasing at least part of the bulbs (37) of said hoof (32) , and/or an adhesive, wherein said adhesive is spe- cifically superglue, in particular a cyanoacrylate based superglue .

30. The set according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said set comprises plates (20), each plate (20) having an opening (21) and a recess (22) adjacent to said opening (21) for the receipt of an end of a horseshoe mounting nail (23) bent about 90° and extending through said opening (21) .

31. The set according to anyone of the claims 28-30, wherein said set further comprises one or more correction soles (33) and/or horseshoes (17) and/or nails (23) .