WO2006002623A1

WO2006002623A1 - Horseshoe pad

Info

Publication number: WO2006002623A1
Application number: PCT/DK2004/000486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Palle Pedersen
Original assignee: P.P. Plast Aps
Priority date: 2004-07-07
Filing date: 2004-07-07
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Also published as: WO2006002623A8

Abstract

The present invention relates to a full plate horseshoe pad (2) which is to be placed between a hoof and a shoe of a horse comprising a plate of resilient, bendable material where at least a part of the plate is grooved (12). The plate has a surface part (4) being placed against the shoe. The objective of the invention is to provide a full plate resilient horseshoe pad (2) comprising means to reduce the stress due to the impact forces, and to provide a natural resting position of the hoof. This might be achieved if the plate gradually thickens from the toe (5) towards the heel (3) of the horseshoe pad (2) and the horseshoe pad (2) has a protruding part (6) preferably fitting the inner wall of the hoof.

Description

Horseshoe pad

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a full plate horseshoe pad, which is to be placed be- tween a hoof and a horseshoe comprising a plate of a resilient material, where at least a part of the plate is grooved and where the plate has a surface part being placed against the horseshoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In US-5, 121,798 a U-shaped shock relieving horseshoe pad is disclosed. The horse¬ shoe pad is essentially flat, smooth on one side and has a plurality of protrusions on the other side. The protrusions are parallel and placed over the entire area of the shoe. An objective of the invention is to provide a horseshoe pad with relatively great de- flection. However, the horseshoe pad only covers the U-shaped area between the shoe and the hoof, meaning that a considerable amount of dirt is likely to stick to the sole of the hoof making the hoof vulnerable to injuries caused by the dirt.

In US-4,998,586 a resilient horseshoe pad for a hoofed animal is disclosed. The resil- ient horseshoe pad is to be placed between a hoof and a shoe of a hoofed animal. The horseshoe pad is made of a first and a second plastic polymer, the first and second plastic polymer being in contact with each other and the second plastic polymer being harder than the first plastic polymer. The first plastic polymer absorbs energy from impact related shock, while the second plastic polymer dissipates the energy from the impact related shock, which it transmitted by the first plastic polymer. This prevents the energy dissipated from being reabsorbed by the foot of the animal and reduces the stress on the bones and ligaments of the corresponding hoof and leg, The horseshoe pad disclosed is U-shaped and do not cover the entire hoof area allowing dirt to accu¬ mulate in the hoof. Furthermore, the horseshoe pad does not protect the frog area of the hoof making the hoof vulnerable to injuries caused by the dirt accumulated in the hoof. In US-6,364,025 a method for protecting a horse hoof is disclosed. The protection of the hoof is obtained by incorporating a urethane resin reaction product of low viscos¬ ity sides A and B₅ which react rapidly to a gel. Hereby is obtained that the open vol¬ ume formed by the horseshoe pad and the hoof bottom wall comprising the hoof sole and frog can be filled with a gel preventing accumulation of harmful dirt. However, if the gel is used together with a horseshoe pad without special protrusions, the gel forms an uncertain support to the hoof, which is to be avoided as the horse might loose its footing due to the uncertain support.

The inventor of US-4,878,541 discloses a full plate horseshoe, especially for trotting horses, the horseshoe comprising of a resilient, bendable, plastic plate having two thickened areas, namely an outer arched area along half of the shoe and a rear triangu¬ lar area. The invention discloses a full plate plastic horseshoe which is exposed to wear and tear meaning that the lifetime of the shoe is reduced considerably. The rear area of the horseshoe covering the frog area of the hoof is elevated to support the tis¬ sue, but no further effort has been made to reduce the impact forces on that area of the horseshoe.

None of the above mentioned inventions have taken into account that the load of a horse, when standing still, is considerably larger at the rear end of the hoof than at the toe resulting in an inclined resting position of the hoof, which is uncomfortable for the horse and results in stretched muscles. In order to avoid injuries in the hoof area and protect the horse leg muscles, the above mentioned inclined resting position must be avoided.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to provide a full plate resilient horseshoe pad com¬ prising means for reducing the stress due to impact forces and to provide a natural resting position of the hoof. A further objective of the invention is to provide a com¬ fortable horseshoe pad which protects and stimulates the hoof frog of a horse in mo¬ tion. The above objective might be achieved if the horseshoe plate gradually thickens from the front end towards the rear end of the horseshoe pad, and the horseshoe pad has a protruding part preferably fitting the inner wall of the hoof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention covers a full-type horseshoe pad, which gradually thickens from the front end towards the rear end of the horseshoe pad, and the horseshoe pad has a pro- trading part preferably fitting the inner wall of the hoof.

Hereby the horseshoe pad provides an efficient absorption of the impact forces at the rear end of the hoof where the horseshoe pad is thicker. The thicker end of the horse¬ shoe pad provides a cushion for the hoof reducing the shock impacts from the shoe, when it hits the ground. Furthermore, the thicker- rear end of the horseshoe pad pro¬ vides a comfortable resting position for the horse, as the weight of the horse squeezes the rear end of the horseshoe pad resulting in a substantially horizontal position of the hoof. Hereby is prevented that the hoof is inclined into an uncomfortable resting posi¬ tion creating an unnecessary burden on the bones and muscles. The horseshoe further provides a protruding part, preferably fitting the inner side of the hoof wall making it fit securely to the hoof. The horseshoe pad can be made in different sizes to fit various hoof sizes. If the horseshoe pad exceeds the hoof size after it has been mounted, it could easily be adjusted by cutting or rasping the excess part of the horseshoe pad.

In an embodiment of the invention the protruding part at the centre of the horseshoe pad has an inner surface formed as a frog print, the inner surface preferably fitting the frog of a horse. Hereby is achieved that the horseshoe pad supports the frog, which horseshoe pad protects, but more importantly stimulates the blood circulation in the frog. The stimulation improves the blood circulation in the soft tissue of the hoof in- creasing the capability of shock absorption throughout the hoof. It is important that the frog is kept flexible, and it must not be prevented from expanding when being under load. This is achieved by using a resilient material and leaving space for a gel to be injected into the volume between the hoof and the horseshoe pad. The gel makes it easy for the frog to expand and adapt to the pressure load and hereby preserve the mo¬ bility of the frog which is very important. The blood circulation increases when the hoof is set on the ground due to the impact on the horseshoe pad which at the same time stimulates the frog by the protruding part, which part is in contact with the frog. The protruding part is formed as a frog print to obtain an optimum fit and stimulation of the frog.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer circumference of the horseshoe pad is grooved. Hereby is achieved that the impact from the shoe is deflected in the grooves because of the force relating to the impact of the shoe.

In an embodiment of the invention the outer circumference of the plate is radially grooved reducing the impact shock from the shoe when the horse is e.g. trotting. The radially placed grooves provide a high degree of flexibility, which must be preserved in order to stimulate the blood circulation in the rear area of the hoof.

Preferably, the grooves are positioned at the outer circumferential part of the horse¬ shoe pad which part covers the rim part of the hoof. However, in an alternative em- bodiment of the invention both the radially and the non-radially grooved areas are not restricted to the outer circumferential part of the horseshoe pad. The horseshoe pad might be grooved on the surface attached to the hoof or the shoe.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the transversal cross section of the grooves has a wide opening at the surface of the horseshoe pad and the grooves are rounded at the bottom. During use, dirt is likely to find its way into the grooves and eventually fill up the open space. If the grooves were formed as a rectangular transversal cross section, it would reduce the deflection and flexibility due to the accumulated dirt, which dirt would be trapped inside the grooves. The trapped dirt, which often contains small sharp stones, might cause injuries to the hoof and frog. But by forming the grooves with a rounded bottom some of the accumulated dirt is loosened and pushed out every time the pressure on the horseshoe pad increases or decreases. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention the width of the grooves are conically shaped which means that the grooves are widest at the edge of , the horseshoe pad and then narrows towards the centre of the horseshoe pad. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the grooves are not restricted to be formed with a rounded bottom as long as one end is wider than the other. In this way the compression and decompression of the grooves allow dirt to be loosened up and be pushed out.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the horseshoe pad (2) is made of a resilient polymer e.g. DESMOP AN® UTP. This means that the horseshoe pad is weather resis- tant and made of a resilient material. As the material is resilient, some of the impact forces from the horseshoe are absorbed and deflected leading to a reduction of the stress on the hoof and on the leg of the horse. Another advantage of the material is that it can be produced in one piece, which simplifies the manufacture and reduces the cost of production.

In an embodiment of the invention, mounting holes are spaced along the outer circum¬ ference of the horseshoe pad. Hereby is achieved that a horseshoe and horseshoe pad easily fastens with a horseshoe nail to the hoof. The mounting holes can be fully or partly through-going. If no mounting holes are made in the horseshoe pad, it is diffi- cult and time consuming for a ferrier to fasten the horseshoe to the horseshoe pad and the hoof. In case the ferrier faces difficulties in fastening the horseshoe pad the horse might get upset which is to be avoided. Generally, there are at least six to ten nails spaced along the circumference of the shoe, and the horseshoe pad could therefore comprise an equal amount of nail holes to make the mounting easier and quicker.

In the present invention the rear end of the centre protruding part is formed as a frog print comprising a recess running from the back of the horseshoe pad to the sole mak¬ ing it possible to inject a gel into the open volume formed by the horseshoe pad and the hoof bottom wall comprising the hoof sole and frog. The gel is injected to make a comfortable fit of the horseshoe and the hoof. A comfortable fit allows the frog to ex¬ pand under load pressure which is important as good blood circulation in the soft tis¬ sue prevents the accumulated waste products etc. in the soft tissue. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the draw¬ ing, where

fig. 1 shows an isometric view of the horseshoe pad according to the invention, fig. 2 shows a top view of the horseshoe pad according to the invention, fig. 3 shows a rear view of the horseshoe pad according to the invention, fig. 4 shows a side view of the horseshoe pad according to the invention and fig. 5 shows a cross-section of a groove in a horseshoe pad according to the inven¬ tion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION / PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the horseshoe pad 2 seen from the heel 3 towards the toe 5. The upper surface 4 of the horseshoe pad 2 comprises a protruding part 6 preferably fitting the inner wall of a hoof (not shown). An inner surface 8 is formed as a frog print, and a recess 10 runs from the heel 3 of the horseshoe pad 2 towards the toe 5, which recess 10 saves room for injection of a gel into the open volume between the horseshoe pad 2 and the hoof (not shown). Multiple grooves 12 are spaced along the rear half of the outer circumferential of the horseshoe pad, which grooves 12 re¬ duces and deflects the impact forces.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the horseshoe pad 2 where the upper surface 4 is to be placed against the hoof (not shown) of a horse. The grooves 12 which are spaced along the rear half of the outer circumferential of the horseshoe pad 2 are radially out¬ going towards the edge of the horseshoe pad 2. Preferably, the protruding part 6 fits the inner wall of the hoof. In one embodiment of the invention, the centre 9 of the horseshoe pad 2 has a protruding surface part 8 formed as a frog print which is sym- metrically placed in respect to the dashed line 14. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the surface part 8 is not necessarily symmetrically placed as shown in the figure. At the rear end 3 of the horseshoe pad 2 a recess 10 is placed for injection of a gel. In one embodiment of the invention the entire horseshoe pad 2 is symmetrically placed in respect to the dashed line 14, but the invention is not restricted to be sym¬ metrical.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the horseshoe pad 2 where the upper surface 4 shown in the figure is placed against a hoof. The bottom surface 15 is shown as a smooth sur¬ face, but in an alternative embodiment of the invention the grooves 12 could easily be placed on this surface 15. In this way it could prevent small sharp stones, which are trapped in the grooves 12, from injuring the hoof (not shown). The grooves 12 are half through-going. Additionally, the figure shows the protruding part 6 and the protruding surface 8 which is formed according to a frog print in order to give the best fit for the horseshoe pad 2. The recess 10 leaves some space for the injection of a gel into the open volume between the hoof and the horseshoe pad 2.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the horseshoe pad 2 where the heel 3 is thicker than the toe 5 of the horseshoe pad 2 meaning that the thickness x is larger than y. The differ¬ ence in thickness between x and y might be millimetres or tenths of a millimetres. When the horse stands still and rests most of its weight is located at the heel 3 of the hoof (not shown) resulting in more compression on the heel 3 of the horseshoe pad 2. Since the heel 3 of the horseshoe pad is thicker than the toe 5 of the horseshoe pad 2, it would be substantially horizontal due to the heavier load at the heel 3 in this case x is substantially equal to y. This provides a comfortable resting or standing position of the horse without stretching the lower leg muscles of the horse. The horseshoe pad comes in many different sizes for optimum fit. The thickness of the horseshoe toe and heel varies with the size of the shoe. Four preferred embodiments of the horseshoe pad have been made - the horseshoe pad having different sizes. According to a first em¬ bodiment, the horseshoe pad has a toe of 3.8 mm and a heel of 6.3 mm, while accord¬ ing to a second embodiment the horseshoe pad has a toe of 3.7 mm and a heel of 5.9 mm. In a third embodiment the horseshoe pad has a toe of 3.6 mm and a heel of 5.4 mm. Finally, according to a fourth preferred embodiment, the horseshoe pad has a toe of 3.5 mm and a heel of 5.1 mm. Of course the horseshoe pad could comprise many different sizes of toes and heels other than those mentioned above. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the grooves 12 having a cross-section with a wide opening 16 and a rounded bottom meaning that the grooves narrow in. However, in an alternative embodiment of the invention the cross-section does not need to have a rounded bottom 18 as long as the grooves 12 have a large opening at one end 18 and a narrow bottom 18 so the dirt can be pushed out when the horse is in motion. However, a rounded bottom 18 gives the best result. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the horseshoe pad comprises nine grooves 12 on each side, eighteen totally, where the grooves 12 are deepest at the heel. According to a first embodiment of the horseshoe pad, the groove 12 depth varies from 2.9 mm to 3.9 mm. According to a second embodiment, the groove 12 depth varies from 2.6 mm to 3.6 mm and accord¬ ing to a third embodiment the groove 12 depth varies from 2.3 mm to 3.3 mm. The groove 12 depth of the fourth embodiment varies from 2.1 mm to 3.2 mm. Of course the horseshoe pads could comprise many different groove 12 depth sizes other than those mentioned above.

Claims

1. A full plate horseshoe pad 2 which is to be placed between a hoof and a shoe of a horse comprising a plate of resilient material, where at least a part of the plate is grooved (12) and where the plate has a surface part (6) being placed against the shoe, characterized in that the plate gradually thickens from the front end (18) towards the rear end (20) of the horseshoe pad (2), the horseshoe pad (2) has a protruding part (6) preferably fitting the inner wall of the hoof.

2. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the centre (9) of the horseshoe pad (2) has an inner surface (8) formed as a frog print, which surface (8) preferably fits the frog of a horse.

3. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1-2, characterized in that the outer circum- ference ofthe pad (2) is grooved (12).

4. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1-3, characterized in that the outer circum¬ ference of the plate is radially grooved (12).

5. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1-4, characterized in that the cross section of the grooves (12) has a wide opening (16) at the surface of the horseshoe pad (2) and the grooves (12) are rounded at the bottom (18).

6. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1-5, characterized in that the horseshoe pad (2) is made of a resilient polymer e.g. DESMOP AN® UTP

7. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1-6, characterized in that the mounting holes are spaced along the outer circumference of the horseshoe pad (2).

8. Horseshoe pad (2) according to claim 1-7, characterized in that the rear end of the inner surface part (8) which is formed as a frog print comprises a recess (10) running from the heel (3) of the horseshoe pad to the centre (9) of the horseshoe pad (2).