WO2011040854A1

WO2011040854A1 - Pad-like support device intended to be attached between a horse's hoof and a horseshoe

Info

Publication number: WO2011040854A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/000234
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Lundqvist
Original assignee: Erik Lundqvist
Priority date: 2009-09-30
Filing date: 2010-09-29
Publication date: 2011-04-07
Also published as: EP2512229A1; EP2512229A4; SE0901254A1; CN102638972A

Abstract

The invention concerns a pad-like support device (1) intended to be attached between a horse's hoof (2) and a horseshoe (3) with the intention of facilitating movement in a horse's hoof. The pad-like support device (1) includes at least one first side part (6), at least one second side part (7), at least one middle part (8) and a support section (9) for the frog. The pad-like support device's (1) uniqueness lies in that it includes at least one first flexible zone (10) and at least one second flexible zone (11), which essentially extend along the longitudinal direction of the pad-like support device. This design results in the support section (9) and the middle part (8) being flexibly arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions relative to the first side part (6) and the second side part (7) and that the flexibility of the flexible zones (10, 11) increases in the backward direction.

Description

Pad-like support device intended to be attached between a horse's hoof and a horseshoe

Technical Field

The present invention concerns a pad-like support device. More specifically the present invention regards a pad-like support device for a horse hoofs frog in accordance with the claims.

Background of the Invention

Horses have evolved over millions of years and have adapted in relation to their natural way of life and the wild habitats they have lived in. Horses' natural development has led to their hooves, although they feel hard and seem to lack flexibility, including parts that are mutually movable relative to each other. The anatomical structure of hooves with movable hoof parts helps to dampen strain during impact (contact) with the ground, reduces the risk of a horse spraining itself and increases fluid (blood) circulation in the hoof and legs. Figure 1A shows schematically a horse hoofs elemental parts from below. A horse hoof consists essentially of a toe 101 , two walls 102 and 103, a sole 104, a frog 105, two angle of walls 106 and 107 as well as two bars 109. A hoof also includes a shock absorbing digital cushion 108. A horse hoof s parts are mutually movable relative to each other during a hoofs impact (ground contact) phase, stance (load) phase and breakover (acceleration) phase.

Figures IB - ID show how a horse hoof s parts change position relative to each other during a hoofs impact phase and stance phase. When a hoof makes ground contact during the impact phase as well as when load is applied during the stance phase, the walls 102 and 103 are affected by the digital cushion's 108 change in shape, caused by the frog's 105 pressure against the digital cushion 108, to move away from one another in the horizontal direction. During the stance phase the sole 104 also moves, but in a vertical direction downward thereby attaining ground contact (traction). In the wild the horse itself chooses where it wants to go and on what surface it wants to tread on. Since the taming of horses by humans, horses have for example been used as working animals, riding animals and the like. This results in people controlling where a horse goes and on what type of terrain the horse must tread on, respectively. For horses, this has resulted in a higher load and a higher wear on the horses' hooves than horses in the wild have been subjected to. For example, riding and racing horses' hooves are exposed to high levels of load and wear during exercise and competition. Normally, a hoof impacts about 2800 times in a harness race, and more than 30000 times during a normal training session. In order to reduce wear on the hooves different types of horseshoes, which are attached to the hoof with some type of seam (nails, glue), have been developed. Horseshoes are usually of rigid design and manufactured from steel or other type of metal. A horseshoe's rigidity leads to the previously mentioned natural movements of the parts of the hoof being prevented, or at least more obstruct. Because a horseshoe also raises the hoof a bit above the underlying surface, the hoofs frog does not receive the necessary contact with the ground. When an unshod horse's hoof touches ground, natural mechanical forces occur in the hoof by way of both the frog and the short pastern bone. These forces press the frog upward from below and provide pressure against the elastic digital cushion, while the short pastern bone presses against the digital cushion from above by the horse's weight. Together, these forces compel the digital cushion to widen horizontally pushing apart the hoof s walls. The hoofs widening movement is made possible thanks to the rear of the hoof being open and comprised of an elastic tissue (frog). When a horse is shod a space is created between the frog and the underlying surface (see figure IF). This entails that the frog's purpose during impact is for the most part not achieved which leads to the primary shock during hoof impact being absorbed through the hoof walls and inward toward bones and joints without first being cushioned. This results in the horse being affected by different types of health problems such as lameness and other ailments. A large number of different kinds of pads, designed to be mounted between the hoof and the horseshoe have been developed to further reduce the load and wear on a horse's hooves. Pads are used for example if the ground is hard, rocky or similar. If a horse has sensitive hooves, it is common practice to use pads to protect the hoof. Special pads, so-called snow pads, are also used in winter to reduce the risk of snowballs (ice clumps) and the like from forming under the hoof. Pads are also used in situations where it is desirable to modify a horse's step (gait). Today, pads are used for both racing and riding.

Current pads have several problems. For example, they have inadequate elasticity in the horizontal direction. This means that the central section as well as the frog area of the pad does not, to any great extent, allow movement relative to the pads' side parts where the pads are attached with seams (nails) to the hoof. The fact that pads have a limited horizontal elasticity means for example that bumps on the ground where impact occurs will push (press) the pad into the cavity that is naturally present under the hoof while the frog presses the pads rear part down. This results in the creation of tensile forces in the pad, which pulls at the seams (nails) (substantially in their transverse directions). This may result in the shoe becoming loose. There is also a risk that the shoe may shear off the seams (nails) causing the shoe to detach. Known designs of pads also have the problem that they do not provide pressure against the frog. This in turn means that the frog moves relative to the pad thereby allowing heating to occur by the movement and friction between the frog and sole. Heat can damage the tissue of the frog.

Existing types of pads also have the problem that they have a low resistance (durability) to wear. The horse's weight and hoof mechanism's movement results in the pads wearing out quickly in the rear and central parts. The hoof and shoe then get caught in the worn down depressions, and the hoof mechanism's natural motion is put out of play. Furthermore, this short lifetime results in the horse needing to be shod more often which is costly.

There is also a problem with the pads oozing out (squeezed out) between the hoof and the horseshoe during the compression of the pad in connection with hoof impact and gait.

Horseshoes and existing pads may also lead to the deterioration of the mechanical pump mechanism that occurs naturally in the hoof and thereby also impair circulation in the hoof.

Prior Art

A number of pad-like designs intended to be placed between a horseshoe and a horse's hoof are previously known. For example, a type of pad for horses which includes a support section for a hoofs frog is described in patent document US6672395. This design does not include flexible zones in accordance with the present invention. Therefore this design has the previously stated problems. Consequently this design differs greatly from the present invention's design. Patent document WO2006002623 describes a type of pad for horses intended for placement between the horseshoe and horse's hoof. This pad includes at its rear a radial groove which limits shock in the impact phase and the stance phase. This design differs substantially from the design in accordance with the present patent application.

In patent document GB254386 a variant of a pad, which is designed to be removable in relation to the horse's hoof is described. The design includes a wedge-shaped (tapered) support section for the hoof s frog. In other aspects, the design in accordance with GB254386 differs greatly from the present invention's design.

The German design patent DE202008012227U1 describes a type of hoof boot (bell boot) which includes a portion located at the frog's position. This design differs greatly from the present invention's design.

The German patent document DE6981741TT2 describes a hoof boot in the form of a pad that can spring outward in its rear edge in order to follow the hoof s movement. This design does not include flexible zones that over time become more elastic in the backward direction.

Furthermore, this design does not intend to solve the problems in accordance with the present invention. The design described in DE6981741TT2 differs substantially from the present invention's design.

Brief Description of the Invention Concept

The main purpose of the present invention is to substantially reduce the above mentioned drawbacks and create a significantly improved pad-like support device for a horse hoofs frog. A further purpose of the present invention is to create a pad that provides enhanced support to the horse's frog. A still further purpose of the present invention is to reduce the risk of material from the pad being squeezed out between the hoof and the horseshoe. Yet another purpose of the present invention is to provide a pad with a significantly improved dimensional stability. An additional purpose of the present invention is to create a pad with an improved ability to reduce the risk of ice formation (snowballing) under the pad.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings that in an exemplifying purpose show the current preferred embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 A shows a horse's hoof in a view from below without a shoe. Figure 1 B shows a horse's hoof in a view from behind without a shoe. Figure 1 C shows a shod hoof in a view from behind.

Figures 1 D - 1 E show schematically the frogs affect on the parts of the hoof during hoof movement. Figure 2 shows a shod hoof with the present invention. Figure 3 shows the present invention's topside. Figures 4 and 5 show the present invention's topside in perspective. Figure 6 shows the present invention's bottom side. Figures 7 and 8 show the present invention's bottom side in perspective. Figure 9 shows the present invention in a side view from behind. Figure 10 shows the present invention in a view from the side. Figure 1 1 shows the present invention in a view from its backside.

With reference to figure 2, a shod horse hoof is shown schematically, as seen from the back of the horse, which is equipped with a pad-like support device 1 in accordance with the present invention. In the figure the support device 1 is attached between the horse's hoof 2 and the horseshoe 3. The pad-like support device 1 , together with the horseshoe 3 are attached to the horse's hoof 2 in the usual way with seams (nails) or glue. Alternatively, the pad-like support device 1 can be attached with another for the purpose suitable method of attachment. The pad-like support device 1 is preferably manufactured of one piece of material. The material in the pad-like support device 1 is preferably of a material that exhibits a high structural strength while also having elastic properties. Preferably, polyurethane or another material with similar properties can be used in the pad-like support device 1. It is conceivable that another for the purpose appropriate material be used in the pad-like support device. The pad-like support device may for example be manufactured by injection molding or compression molding. These production methods are previously known therefore they are not described in more detail in this patent application.

With reference to figures 3-1 1 , the present support device is shown in more detail. The padlike support device 1 has a topside 4 and a bottom side 5. The topside 4 is intended to be placed (up) against the hoof 2 and the bottom side 5 is intended to be placed (down) against the horseshoe 3.

The support device 1 , according to the preferred embodiment, includes at least one first side part 6, at least one second side part 7, at least one middle part (central part) 8 and at least one support section 9 for the horse hoofs frog. Unique to the present invention is that it includes at least one first flexible zone 10 and preferably at least one second flexible zone 11. In the exemplary embodiment the first flexible zone 10 and the second flexible zone 1 1 each preferably include at least one front zone part 12 and at least one rear zone part 13. The first side part 6 and the second side part 7 are connected with each other (each side part melds into the other side part) in the pad-like device's front part 14. The material of the first side part 6 and the second side part 7 is preferably, essentially evenly thick after its length. In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the first side part's 6 and the second side part's 7 thickness can vary along each side parts length in the longitudinal or transverse direction. The topside 4 of the side parts 6 and 7, facing the horse hoof s stratum corneum, has a flat design. The bottom side of side parts 6 and 7 is essentially designed to be flat. The bottom side of side parts 6 and 7 constitutes the contact surface against the horseshoe. The form of the contact surfaces insures that the pad-like support device essentially fits more than one shoe size. Furthermore, the bottom side of side parts 6 and 7 is fitted with holes 15 (air pads). Preferably, the holes 15 do not pass through and consist of blind holes. The holes' 15 cross section can be oval, round or any other appropriate shape for the purpose. Further, the holes 1 may even have different cross sectional area size. The holes 15 are designed to increase the damping characteristic of the material. The holes 15 also reduce the risk of material squeezing out between the hoof 2 and the horseshoe 3 in connection with hoof impact against the ground during gait (during the impact phase and the stance phase). The reduced risk of material squeezing out depends on the material in the first side part 6 and the second side part 7 being pressed into the holes 15 thereby decreasing the risk of the material oozing out between the hoof 2 and horseshoe 3.

The pad-like support device's 1 middle part (the center part) 8 protects the hoof (the sole of the hoof) against damage from sharp and jagged objects such as rocks, glass and the like on the underlying surface. The middle part's 8 topside is preferably somewhat elevated relative to the first side part's and the second side part's topside. The middle part 8 is comprised of a substantially thinner material than the material in the side parts 6 and 7. The first flexible zone's 10 and the second flexible zone's 1 1 flexibility allow the middle part 8 to move in a vertical direction relative to the side parts 6 and 7. Furthermore the side parts 6 and 7 are allowed to move in a horizontal direction relative to the middle part 8. The middle part's contact and adherence with the horse hoof s sole is thus increased. The middle part's mobility means that the middle part can move downward thus creating an effective percussion to keep ice from building up under the hoof in winter. During summer the middle part's movement also allows for increased compression of soil under the horse hoofs sole whereby better hoof traction against the ground is obtained.

The support section 9, for the frog, is placed in the pad-like support device's rear part between the first side part 6 and the second side part 7. The support section consists of at least one, relative the bottom side of the first side part 6 and the bottom side of the second side part 7, downwards protruding body (pillow) 16, or the like. Support section 9 has the task of being an extension of the frog (in the vertical direction) when the horse is shod. By way of the support section the void (space) that occurs between the frog and the ground when the horse is shod (in comparison to when the horse is not shod) is filled. Thereby allowing support section 9 to limit or alleviate the unfavorable motion in the vertical direction that the frog receives from ground impact (when the horse is shod). Therefore support section 9 allows the frog during the hoofs ground impact to affect the digital cushion in a manner that essentially matches the manner of an unshod horse. A shod horse hoof essentially receives the same dampening effect that an unshod horse hoof has by using the pad-like support device in accordance with the present invention.

Preferably, the topside of support section 9 is essentially flat (even) and slightly elevated relative to side parts' 6 and 7 upper flat surface. Support section 9 merges in the forward direction into the middle part 8. Support section 9 is essentially wedge-shaped with the thicker part in the rear part of the pad-like support device and the tapered section facing the direction of the middle part (the support section's 9 thickness decreases towards the middle part 8). The support section's contact surface against the ground has preferably an arch- shaped, rounded or similar form along all or part of the bottom side's (contact surface's) length. The support section can be of another form, suitable for the purpose than the essentially wedge-shaped form.

Preferably, the body (pillow) 16 on its bottom side is fitted with at least one and preferably several longitudinal grooves (tracks) 17 (in the figures nine grooves are shown) in the padlike support device's longitudinal direction. The grooves stretch along the whole or part of the support section's length. Preferably, the height of the grooves decreases in the forward direction.

A unique feature of the present invention is that it includes at least one first flexible zone 10 and preferably also at least one second flexible zone 1 1. The first flexible zone 10 includes at least one material layer 18 that joins the first side part 6 with the middle part (central part) 8 and the support section 9. The second flexible zone 1 1 includes a material layer 19 that joins the other side part 7 with the middle part (central part) 8 and the support section 9.

The flexible zones 10 and 1 1 stretch along all or part of the pad-like support device's length. In the exemplifying embodiment the first flexible zone 10 and the second flexible zone 1 1 , extend along a portion of the pad-like support device's 1 length. Preferably, the flexible zones 10 and 1 1 extend from the front part 14 (toe part) to the rear edge of the pad-like support device 1. Preferably, the first flexible zone 10 and the second flexible zone 1 1 each includes a front zone part 12 and a rear zone part 13. Within the scope of the invention the length of the zones 1 1 and 12 may vary.

The material layer 18 of the first flexible zone 10 and the material layer 19 of the second flexible zone 1 1 are bellow-shaped (accordion-shaped) in the pad-like support device's 1 transverse direction. Preferably, the bellow-shaped part encompassed in the rear zone part 13 includes at least a first inverted (seen from the top side) U-shaped section 20. The bellow- shaped part included in the front zone part 12 contains at least one upright U-shaped section 21. Alternatively, one or both of the U-shaped sections 20 and 21 may have another for the purpose appropriate form, such as a V-shaped section, or a part which is shaped as a whole or part of a sine wave or the like. Alternatively, the bellow-shaped material layer 18 and material layer 19 can be designed in another for the purpose suitable manner. On the bottom side 5 of the pad-like support device 1 , the U-shaped section 20 included in the rear zone part mergers into the groove 22 in the front zone part 13. On the bottom side 5 of the pad-like support device 1 , the U-shaped section 21 , in the rear zone part 12 mergers into the groove 24 in the front zone part 13.

The flexible zones' 10 and 1 1 height in the vertical direction (the U-shaped section's height or the wave-shaped amplitude in the vertical direction) decreases in the direction towards the front part 14 (the toe section). Preferably, the flexible zones are formed so that they decrease in height, in the forward direction, until they are completely smoothed out. The posterior 1/5 portion of the flexible zone is 25% higher compared to the rest of the flexible zones. The posterior 1/5 portion is also designed with crescent-shaped material reinforcements to reduce the horizontal flexibility but maintain full vertical displacement. The arrangement reduces the risk of not staying in the extended position. The U-shaped section (flexible zone) is turned upward, the design, as such, provides more vertical movement without rubbing against the rearmost part of the hoofs (and shoe's) heel.

The material layer's 18 thickness in the first flexible zone 10 and the material layer's 19 thickness in the second flexible zone 1 1 are slimmer (thinner) than the material thickness of the side parts 6 and 7.

The material layer of the flexible zones 10 and 1 1 connects to the side sections in the lower half (vertically) of the side parts 6 and 7. Preferably, the material layer connects to the flexible zones to each side sections' bottom edge 23 (in the lower part of the material). Preferably, the material layer in the flexible zone connects to the support section 9 in its middle part

(vertically) which in the figures is illustrated by position 24.

In the flexible zones the support section 9 will be able to flex at various distances relative the side parts in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively. In the exemplifying embodiment a quarter of the rear part of the first side part and the second side part flex approximately four millimeters horizontally outward relative to the support section. In the downward vertical direction the support section 9 flexes about twelve millimeters relative to the first side part and the second side part respectively. Flexibility should preferably be 100 to 150 percent greater in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction.

The material layers 18 and 19 in the flexible zones 10 and 1 1 are more than a third thicker than the material layer's thickness in the middle part. The new pad-like support follows the hoofs and the frog's movement outward, inward, upward and downward regardless of movement differences and angular differences between the hoofs two side parts. This is especially advantageous in conjunction with the inventor's own horseshoe.

In the detailed description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of design details may have been omitted which are apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such obvious design details are included to the extent necessary and have the functions needed, so that the proper and full performance of the present invention is achieved.

Even if certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications can, within the scope of the invention, become apparent for specialists in the field and all such are regarded as falling within the scope of the following claims. For example, in alternative embodiments it is conceivable that the middle part includes at least one hole completely through the material. It is conceivable that the pad-like support device's middle part in its entirety consists of a hole. The first side part and the second side part have substantially the same thickness over their length (span). In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the support device may include several parts which are joined together in a suitable manner for the purpose. In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the holes 15 may consist of grooves (tracks) or consist of a combination of grooves and holes.

Advantages of the Invention

A number of advantages are achieved with the present invention. The pad-like support device's springy (dampening, flexible) function provides the horse hoof with a function during impact that resembles the hoofs function during impact when the horse is unshod. A further advantage of the present invention is that the flexible zones reduce the pull on the shoe and the seam (nails) when rocks and uneven ground press the middle part in the upward direction. A further advantage is that an effective dampening of the frog's ground impact is achieved thereby reducing the load (stress) on the horse's hoofs, ligaments and joints. It is a further advantage of the present invention that it improves circulation. Because the frog's support essentially follows all the frog's movements, friction (abrasion) occurring between the pad and the frog on existing pads is minimized. The present invention's improved durability reduces the frequency of reshodding. The design also has the advantages of increasing traction against the ground which reduces the risk of the horse slipping on hard surfaces when it is shod. Furthermore the flexible zones reduce the risk of snowballs (ice clumps) forming on the bottom side of the pad-like support device. A yet further advantage is that the invention fits common horseshoes, U-shaped mountings and all underlying surfaces.

Claims

1. Pad-like support device (1) intended to be attached between a horse's hoof (2) and a horseshoe (3) which is intended to facilitate movement in the horse's hoof, including at least one first side part (6), at least one second side part (7), at least one middle part (8) and a support section (9) for the frog characterized by that the pad-like support device (1) includes at least one first flexible zone (10) and at least one second flexible zone (1 1), which essentially extend along the longitudinal direction of the pad-like support device, resulting in support section (9) and the middle part (8) being flexibly arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions relative to the first side part (6) and the second side part (7) and that the flexibility of the flexible zones (10, 1 1) increases in the backward direction.

2. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with claim 1 characterized by that the first flexible zone (10) and the second flexible zone (1 1) consists of a bellow-shaped (accordion-shaped) material layer.

3. Pad-like support device (1 ) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the first flexible zone (10) and the second flexible zone (1 1) include a front zone part (12) and a rear zone part (13).

4. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the bellow-shaped material layer of the first flexible zone (10) and the second flexible zone (1 1) includes at least one inverted U-shaped part

(section).

5. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the first side part (6) and the second side part (7) include at least one hole (15) and preferably more than ten holes (15).

6. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the flexible zones flex relatively more in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction.

7. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the flexible zones flexibility increases in the backward direction.

8. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that one-fifth of the rear part (section) of the flexible zones are 25 % higher than the other part (section) of the flexible zones.

9. Pad-like support device (1) in accordance with one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the pad-like support device is manufactured of polyurethane.