WO2017103665A1

WO2017103665A1 - Interchangeable equine shoeing

Info

Publication number: WO2017103665A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/001768
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca FIN
Original assignee: Fin Luca
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-12-15
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Also published as: ITUB20159580A1

Abstract

An equine shoeing device, of the type for protecting hooves (Z) of horses, comprising at least one metal base plate (2), having a preconfigured shape and fixed permanently to the bottom of the hoof (Z) by means of nails, and one tread element (4) having an arched shape and being removably fixed to said metal plate (2) by locking parts (3).

Description

INTERCHANGEABLE EQUINE SHOEING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical filed of the shoeing of quadrupeds, particularly horses.

As is known, the practice of shoeing the hooves of horses has very ancient origins, but nevertheless from its inception to the present time a significant technological evolution is not noticed, so that to an unskilled eye it is rather difficult to recognise a recent horseshoe from an older one.

A farrier, with his experience and possibly knowing the animal, each time provides for shaping the horseshoes in order to make them best suited to the situation.

However, it is obvious how this is an empirical approach, surely based on a practical know-how having particular significance, but likewise certainly lacking that medical knowledge that can make a difference.

Thanks to the advances in the veterinary medicine, it has been possible to ascertain, with scientific value, how the variable morphology of limbs and hooves of horses affects the posture in the way how each animal moves forward, similarly to what happens to humans.

Possible faults of the so called "perpendicularity" may concern one or more legs, with regard to the hoof pressure on the ground: we talk about "left- handedness" when the tips of the hooves are facing outward, about "toeing in" when, on the contrary, they are facing inward, and about "club foot" when the pressure rests for the most part on the tips.

It follows intuitively that a standard type shoeing, although "customized" by the farrier, is not suited to the same extent to every animal; furthermore, further variables are represented by the kind of envisaged activity, for example, walking, training at a trot, training at gallop, running, draught, and by the characteristics of the ground on which the animal will move.

For example, if the horse is started off at gallop, contacts among the hooves of the forelegs and the hind legs may occur in transient state wherein the former, stretched out backwards, "cross" the latter stretched out forward.

The farrier, aware of the problem, fits, at least at the front, shoes with shorter ends if the gallop is contemplated for the horse; such "short" shoes however, almost certainly will not be optimal in other activities.

In other cases, shims, located in particular zones, may be inserted between the shoe and the hoof to correct the position of the former with regard to particular conditions of the latter.

Theoretically it would be desirable to have different shoeings for every occasion, each one optimized depending on the aforementioned variables, but obviously this is not feasible, as the application of the shoes to the hooves is an invasive operation, although not painful, for the animal, since it is necessary to drive nails into the corneous material of the hooves, which cannot be too frequent.

As a rule, the shoeing of a horse is checked each six-eight weeks and it involves the filing of the hooves, grown in the meanwhile, in order to adjust and level them.

During the aforementioned period, it may naturally happen that the animal changes the performed activity, even more times, and at the current state of the art one may choose either a compromise type of shoeing or an optimal one for the prevailing activity, or one more for the activity that mostly concerns in terms of performance.

Transient situations may further occur, such as wounds, infections, wears or asymmetrical growns of the hooves, which would require special shoeings able to perform effective protection or correction actions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore to propose an equine shoeing device shaped in order to allow a quick change of shoeing, thereby ensuring the optimal shoe shape for any situation, without the need to remove every time the nails from the hooves.

Another object of the invention relates to the possibility of setting a device wherein the part touching the ground may be formed of a material different from metal, to achieve particular grip on the ground or noiselessness characteristics.

Yet another object of the invention consists in proposing a device which may have shock-absorbing capabilities when needed, so that any impact on the legs is cushioned during the forward movement on hard surfaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device able to avoid any contact between the ground and the nail heads, thereby eliminating the wear of the latter and therefore allowing to use smaller, less invasive nails.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a device wherein any pressure exerted on the nail heads during the stand on the ground is absent, so that the hoof does not undergo harmful stresses.

These and other objects are fully achieved by an equine shoeing device, of the kind intended to protect the aforementioned animal leg hooves and comprising:

- at least a metal base plate, having a preconfigured shape, permanently fixed to the bottom of the respective hoof by means of nails;

one tread element, of an arched shape, removably fixed to the mentioned metal plate by locking parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure of preferred embodiments of the inventive equine shoeing device, according to the appended the claims and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a bottom view of an equine hoof, with the present device associated to it, part of which is shown in exploded view;

Fig. 2 shows a portion of a metal base plate, provided in the device, with small discs of a shock-absorbing material associated to it;

Fig. 3 shows a portion of a tread element, provided in the device, on the side facing the metal base plate, to emphasize a structural peculiarity;

- Fig. 4 shows an optional tread element, made of wood, with reinforcement metal bushings in the holes;

Fig. 5 shows, from the bottom and in an enlarged scale, a portion of a tread element end, in which an easily detachable terminal is provided;

Fig. 6 shows a section view taken along the plane VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of a hoof with a particular shape of a metal plate associated to it, the plate being split for corrective purposes;

- Fig. 8 shows, according to the same view as Fig. 7, a particular shape of a tread element, suitable to be assembled on the plate of Fig. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the above Figures, the equine shoeing device according to the present invention has been indicated as a whole with reference number 1.

The device 1 , in a way known in itself, is intended to protect the hooves Z of the aforementioned animal legs (not shown).

According to the invention, the device 1 comprises at least a metal base plate 2, preferably made of steel, having a predetermined shape, permanently fixed underneath a hoof Z by nailing; this operation is carried out in a conventional way by the same technique of the prior art, with nails F having similar shape but smaller (Fig. 1) for reasons which will become evident hereinafter.

To the metal base plate 2 is removably fixed, by locking parts 3, a tread element 4 having an arched shape.

In a main embodiment of the device 1 , as shown in Figures 1 to 6, both the metal base plate 2 and said tread element 4 have an arched shape, shaped in order to follow, almost completely, the outline of the mentioned hoof Z analogously to a known horseshoe.

In this main embodiment it is provided that the tread element 4 is also made of metal, particularly steel.

The mentioned locking parts 3 are defined by a plurality of screws 30, distributed along of the device 1 and inserted from the bottom of tread element 4, through corresponding holes 40, to engage threaded holes 20 coaxially provided in said metal base plate 2.

The holes 40 of the tread element 4 are so shaped as to fully contain the head (preferably of a cross-slot kind) of the screws 30, and the length thereof is such that it does not protrude from the inner side of the metal base plate 2, so that, once the locking is completed, they are embedded in the overall thickness of the device 1.

Between the metal base plate 2 and the tread element 4 are further advantageously inserted means of alignment 5, suitable to define and stabilise the positioning of the tread element with respect to the metal base plate without stressing the aforementioned screws 30 for this function.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in the Figures, the above mentioned means of alignment 5 consist of tangs, provided coaxial with the corresponding threaded holes 20 of the metal base plate 2, projecting from underneath the latter and suitable to be inserted, with minimal play, into the holes 40 of said tread element 4, produced with a conveniently complementary diameter.

In another possible (not shown) construction version, the means of alignment 5 consist of at least two reference pins, protruding underneath the metal base plate 2, and inserted, with minimal play, in complementary seats provided in said tread element 4, without protruding underneath the latter.

A further possible construction version provides that the metal base plate 2 is, at least partially, made of copper, as this metal proved to be healthy in the treatment of mycoses which may afflict the hooves.

In a further interesting construction version, it is provided to insert, between said metal tread element 4 and the metal base plate 2, shock-absorbers 6 intended to cushion the impact of said hoof Z on the ground during the walk.

In the example shown in Fig. 2, said shock-absorbers 6 advantageously consist of discs made of elastomeric material, having suitable thickness, fitted on the above mentioned tangs 5.

For particular activities of the animal, or during recovery periods due to pathologies of the hooves Z, a further construction version is provided, according to which said tread element 4 is made of a synthetic resin, for example polyvinyl chloride or the like, which offers a high absorption of the impact with the ground, combined to a good grip and a fairly good wear resistance.

This configuration of the device 1 may or not include, according to the specific requirements, the above mentioned shock-absorbing discs 6. Yet a further construction version, shown in Fig. 3, has a tread element 4 made of metal or synthetic resin and provides, on the side coupling with the above mentioned metal base plate 2, a series of recessed areas 41 suitable to locally reduce the thickness of the tread element 4 itself thus avoiding the contact thereof with the heads of the nails F by which the above mentioned plate 2 is fixed to the hoof Z.

The latter version is preferably used in absence of the mentioned shock- absorbing disks 6.

A further possible construction version, shown in Fig. 4, provides that said tread element 4 is made of wood, preferably using elastic species and which do not produce splinters, for agonistic activities, particularly obstacle jump.

For this version reinforcement metal bushings 42 are provided at the holes 40 for the passage of the above mentioned screws 30.

For the above described construction versions of the tread element 4, it is advantageously provided that the free ends 4A, 4B may be slightly longer than the corresponding free ends 2A, 2B of the associated metal base plate 2.

This arrangement improves, in certain conditions, the shoeing performance; however it may happen, as already stated in the introduction, that if the horse starts at a gallop, the hooves of the forelegs collide with the hind legs when the same "cross" under the belly, with possible injuries.

In order to avoid the latter, a different embodiment is contemplated, which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, providing two easily-detachable terminals 44, associated to the above mentioned free ends 4A, 4B of the tread element 4, intended to detach from the latter as a consequence of collision stresses.

Said free ends 4A, 4B have a respective reduced thickness section above which the corresponding terminal 44 is arranged, fixed by a conical rivet 45 suitably designed in order to hold the terminal 44 itself in normal conditions and allow the detachment thereof owing to stresses different from those ones caused by the pressure on the ground.

A particular embodiment of the device 1 is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and it provides that said metal base plate 2 is made of at least two separate parts 2/1 and 2/2, distributed along the profile of the above mentioned hoof Z and fixed to the latter by means of nails F.

To the above mentioned separate parts 2/1 and 2/2 a tread element 4/1 is fixed having particular shape and thickness, for example, with partial extension with respect to the profile of the hoof Z.

The shape of the above mentioned separate parts 2/1 and 2/2 and their position, as well as the shape of the tread element 4/1 may change from what is specifically shown according to particular requirements, in order to give to the device 1 itself the characteristics of a medical device with corrective and/or curative functions.

From the above disclosure the peculiar characteristics of the present device appear extremely evident, which device represents a significant evolution of the equine shoeing art, as it allows a quick change of the tread element in order to have for each situation the optimal shape of the shoe, without the need to remove each time the nails from the hooves.

The functional and original technical solution providing to split the "shoe" in two elements allows, when required, to mount the part in contact with the ground being made of a material different from metal, in order to obtain particular characteristics of ground grip, noiselessness or curative properties.

The same technical solution allows to prevent any contact between the ground and the head of the nails, thus avoiding the wear thereof and therefore allowing the use of smaller, less invasive nails; a particular mention goes to the version contemplating the recessed areas which eliminate any direct contact between the nail heads and the tread element, thereby eliminating the pressure on the latter during the stand on the ground.

The above stated advantages are even increased with the versions wherein shock-absorbing discs are provided, which are particularly effective when the animal moves forward on hard surfaces.

It should be pointed out that all the above mentioned versions, as well as further possible versions, thanks to the structure of the present device, have as a goal not only the performance achievable by an optimal shoeing, but also the animal comfort and health, while reducing as much as possible the adverse effects that particular activities may cause and that a traditional shoeing is not able to prevent with the same effectiveness.

The inventive device has a cost slightly higher than a traditional one, if considered alone, even though absolutely not high sums are concerned; such a relation is however reversed if all the direct and indirect advantages achievable in a longer period are considered.

However is should be understood that what above disclosed is meant as having an illustrative but not limitative value, therefore possible detail variants required for technical and/or functional reasons are considered to fall within the protective scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An equine shoeing device, of the type for protecting hooves (Z) of horses, characterized in that said device comprises:

- at least one metal base plate (2), having a preconfigured shape, fixed permanently to the bottom of the hoof (Z) by means of nails;

- one tread element (4), having an arched shape, removably fixed to said metal plate (2) by locking parts (3).

2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said metal base plate (2) has an arched shape that at least partially follows the contour of the hoof (Z), and in that the tread element (4) has a shape essentially matching that of said metal plate (2).

3. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that in-between said tread element (4) and said metal base plate (2) are inserted shock-absorbers (6) made of an elastomeric material, thereby cushioning the impact of the hoof (Z) on the ground when the horse walks.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said tread element (4) is made of a synthetic resin or wood.

5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said tread element (4) comprises reinforcement metal bushings (42) at holes (40) in which the locking parts (3) are engaged.

6. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said locking parts (3) consist of at least two screws (30), inserted from underneath the tread element (4) through corresponding holes (40) and locked into coaxial threaded holes (20) provided in said metal base plate (2), and embedded in the overall thickness of the device (1).

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises means of alignment (5), placed in-between said metal base plate (2) and said tread element (4), and associated with said locking parts (3), thereby defining and stabilising the position of said tread element (4) relative to said metal base plate (2).

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that said means of alignment (5) consist of at least two tangs, coaxial with the two threaded holes (20) of said metal base plate (2), projecting from underneath the latter and being able to be inserted, with minimal play, into the corresponding holes (40) of said tread element (4) for the passage of said screws (30).

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tread element (4), on the side coupling with said metal base plate (2), has at least one recessed area (41) that locally reduces a thickness of said tread element (4), thereby preventing it from contacting the heads of said nails (F) used to fix said plate (2) to said hoof (Z).

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that free ends (4A, 4B) of said tread element (4) are slightly longer than corresponding free ends (2A, 2B) of the associated metal base plate (2).

11. A device according to claim 1 or 10, characterized in that said device comprises two easily detachable terminals (44), associated with said free ends (4A, 4B) of said tread element (4), detaching from said tread element in the event of an impact.

12. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said metal base plate (2) consists of at least two separate parts (2/1 , 2/2), distributed along the profile of said hoof (Z), and fixed to it by means of nails (F), and in that said tread element (4) has a suitable shape and thickness to be fixed to said parts (2/1 , 2/2) of said metal base plate (2) and designed to give to said device (1) the characteristics of a medical device with corrective and/or curative functions.