Patent Description:
The problems associated with using metal horseshoes are well known though they continue to be used by some. Numerous hoof boots have previously been proposed with varying degrees of success. A good discussion of the prior art can be found in <CIT>, also to the present applicant, who has come up with methods to improve upon prior hoof boots.

A common problem with prior art hoof boots is that they can be dislodged from the hoof, particularly when traversing deep mud that sucks the boot from the hoof during withdrawal. Losing a hoof boot can be hazardous to the horse as it can leave their hoof vulnerable to damage, and frustrating as it can impede the task the horse was undertaking when it lost the boot. Losing a hoof boot can also be expensive if lost boots cannot be retrieved.

There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

<CIT> discloses an equine multi-purpose protector boot comprising: (a) a sole member rigid enough to resist lateral movement of the hoof with an upwardly depending rim extending around its periphery at least at the toe and at each side, the inner surface of said rim being substantially vertical at least in the region of the sides; (b) at least one flexible side flap located at each side of the hoof, attached to or integral with the sole member; (c) an outer compressive cover provided with means to force the side flap into conformation with the shape of the hoof; (d) a flexible heel member attached to the rear of the sole member and including at least one fastening strap adapted to pass around the pastern bone within the range of <NUM> to <NUM> above the coronary band.

<CIT> discloses a horseshoe, a wall for said shoe, a resilient supporting collar, adjustable means for connecting the wall of the shoe with said supporting collar, a flexible supporting collar, and adjustable means for connecting said resilient collar with said flexible collar.

<CIT> discloses an animal shoe having front and rear straps provided with loops and an ankle collar having straps to enter the respective shoe-strap loops and buckling with said collar, the latter provided with a side strap arranged to enter the body of the shoe and taken up in a connection of said collar, the arrangement of said straps being such that the shoe from different points is securely fastened in contact with the animal hoof.

<CIT> discloses horseshoes which are readily applied to or detached from the horse's hoof without the use of nails.

<CIT> discloses an equine hoof boot comprising a securing strap.

There is provided a securing strap for an equine hoof boot, the strap being configured for securing the boot to a horse's hoof at a location above the horse's coronary band and for fixing to the boot at generally central locations on the front and rear of the boot, wherein the strap has two sections, each section configured to extend either side of the horses pastern bone, the two sections configured for coming together at a location above the horses coronary band for securement to the hoof.

According to the claimed invention, the coupler is centrally positioned above the front of the boot. Preferably, the two sections come together at a location between the coronary band and approximately <NUM> above the coronary band. Preferably, the two sections extend through the coupler for fixing to a front of the boot near the sole.

The front of the boot can include a slit and have at least one fastening strap for closing the slit, the two sections being securable to the fastening strap. Preferably, the boot comprises two fastening straps, the two sections being secured to lower one of the fastening straps.

The coupler can be an adjustable sleeve or lock. Preferably, the strap is configured for extending through apertures formed in a rearward part of the boot to secure the strap to the rearward part of the boot.

The coupler can be configured to engage the boot at a lower portion thereof to keep it in position.

There is also provided an equine boot comprising:.

In some embodiments, the dorsal portion takes a substantially 'm' shaped configuration and the securing strap engages an upper central part of the 'm'.

The securing strap preferably extends around a generally vertical part of the 'm', through openings formed in the bulb engaging means.

The ventral portion can have an opening extending therethrough to a level of the interior of the sole member so as to allow the ventral portion to be spread open for application of the boot to the hoof. The opening can comprise a substantially vertical slit. The boot can further comprise a lateral opening extending through a lower end of the upper which opens up to the level of the interior of the sole member.

The vertical slit and the lateral opening can together define an upside down t-shaped opening in the ventral portion. The bulb-engaging means can include a cleft-engaging member for engaging a cleft of the bulbs of the hoof. Preferably, the cleft-engaging member includes a shank or web which engages the cleft of the bulbs. Preferably, the shank or web is generally half round in cross section, the rounded surface of the shank or web being directed towards the cleft when the boot is worn.

The bulb-engaging means can comprise apertures through which respective bulbs of the hoof can protrude when the boot is worn. Preferably, the apertures extend to the level of the interior of the sole member.

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

A securing strap <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The strap <NUM> is configured for securing an equine boot to the hoof at a location above a horse's coronary band.

<FIG> illustrate the strap <NUM> fitted to a boot <NUM>, the boot <NUM> being an example of the type of boot to which strap <NUM> can be fitted. It will be appreciated that the strap <NUM> can also be fitted to other differently configured boots. Furthermore, although the strap <NUM> is illustrated as a separate component, in other embodiments the strap may be integrally formed with or secured to the boot, and may be a permanent or temporary fixture.

The strap <NUM> is configured for fixing to the boot <NUM> at generally central locations (in the middle in other words), with respect to the pastern bone, on the front and rear of the boot. The term 'generally central' is intended to mean in the centre or <NUM> either side of the centre, though it will be appreciated that this dimension may be increased in other less preferable embodiments. It will also be appreciated that the strap <NUM> may be fixed to an intermediate part of the boot that then connects to a central part of the boot.

Securing the strap <NUM> to the hoof at central locations provides that forces acting on the boot <NUM> to dislodge it are transmitted to the horse's hoof at generally central locations to limit rotation and/or leveraging and dislodgement of the boot <NUM>. Advantageously, such an arrangement has been found to significantly improve retention of a boot on a horse's hoof.

The strap <NUM> has two sections 10a, 10b, each section extending either side of the horse's pastern bone to secure the boot <NUM> to the hoof. The strap <NUM> comes close to the pastern bone on both sides and is configured to hug or follow the natural contour of the pastern bone as a relatively tight fit, with only a small space, such as a finger or so for example, between the pastern bone and the strap <NUM>.

The two sections 10a, 10b can be branches or segments passing around opposite sides of the hoof. It will be appreciated that the sections may be separate portions of the same part, though in alternative forms the strap may be formed of multiple parts. In an alternative form, sections 10a, 10b may be a removable strap extending around the pastern bone, that may be secured with conventional fastenings such as a buckle or catch.

In the illustrated embodiments, and according to the claimed invention, the two sections 10a, 10b come together at a location above the horse's coronary band at a centrally positioned coupler <NUM> above the front of the boot. In alternative examples, not according to the claimed invention, the two sections 10a, 10b are joined and become a single piece at the generally central location at the front of the hoof, and secure to the boot at a rear thereof.

The coupler <NUM> is preferably in the form of a sleeve, though may take other forms such as an adjustable sleeve, lock, clasp or other securement or fastening for keeping the two sections 10a, 10b in position. By keeping the two sections 10a, 10b in position and relatively tight, they act as a bracelet extending partially around the hoof so that movement of the boot <NUM> downwardly relative to the hoof can be minimised. Once movement of the boot <NUM> on the hoof occurs, further flexing of the boot <NUM> can occur, leading to dislodgement.

In alternative examples, not according to the claimed invention, the coupler could be provided at a rear or side of the hoof, provided that it secures the sections 10a, 10b of the strap in position on the hoof while allowing the sections to be spread apart for fitment to the horse.

In such examples, the strap may be a single part securable to the front of the boot <NUM>, with multiple parts securing to a rearward portion of the boot <NUM>, such as at location <NUM> for example, which is where previous pastern straps have been fitted.

The inventor has determined that for best results, the two sections 10a, 10b should come together and be held together at a location in a range between the coronary band to a position approximately <NUM> above the coronary band.

In the illustrated embodiments, the coupler <NUM> has a pawl <NUM> configured for engagement with teeth <NUM> formed on the two sections 10a, 10b. In this arrangement, it is believed that the coupler <NUM> can be adjusted and tightened so that the strap circumscribes the hoof like a band or bracelet. In other embodiments, the coupler <NUM> may be simple sleeve configured for holding the two sections 10a, 10b together. In such a configuration, a lower part of the coupler <NUM> may engage an upper part of the boot <NUM> to hold it in position.

In the illustrated embodiments, the two sections 10a, 10b extend through the coupler <NUM> for fixing to a forward part of the boot <NUM> near the sole. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the two sections 10a, 10b may secure to the coupler <NUM>, which itself is then coupled to a forward part of the boot <NUM> near the sole <NUM>, using an extension of the coupler itself or another member.

The two sections 10a, 10b preferably secure to a fastening strap on the front of the boot, though with other boots a different securement method may be used. For example, additional fasteners may be provided on the front of the boot <NUM> for anchoring the strap <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiments, the boot <NUM> is formed with a slit <NUM> formed in a forward section and the boot <NUM> has at least one fastening strap <NUM> for closing the slit <NUM>, with the two sections 10a, 10b being securable to the fastening strap. In the illustrated embodiments, the boot <NUM> comprises two fastening straps <NUM>, the two sections 10a, 10b being secured to a lower one of the fastening straps <NUM>. Each of the strap parts 16a, 16b is formed with an opening <NUM> at a lower end thereof, through which the lower fastening strap <NUM> can be received.

In the illustrated embodiments, boot <NUM> comprises a sole member <NUM> for receiving against a bottom of a hoof, an upper <NUM> and a securing strap <NUM>. In use, the boot <NUM> is opened up, inserted over a hoof of the horse and then fastened in place using straps <NUM> and securing strap <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> includes a ventral portion <NUM> at a front of the boot and a dorsal portion <NUM> at a rear of the boot. In use, an inside of the ventral portion <NUM> is contactable with a toe of the hoof and an inside of the dorsal portion <NUM> is contactable with a side and rear of the hoof. The dorsal portion <NUM> includes bulb-engaging means <NUM> (see <FIG>) for engaging peripheries of bulbs of the hoof so as to impede rotation of the boot relative to the hoof.

The bulb engaging means <NUM> are formed around aperture <NUM>, which is formed between the upper <NUM>, vertical extension <NUM> and lateral member <NUM>. The bulb engaging means <NUM> take a generally 'm' shaped form. Through apertures <NUM> respective bulbs of the hoof can protrude when the boot <NUM> is worn. In preferred embodiments, the apertures <NUM> extend to the level of the interior of the sole member <NUM>.

The ventral portion <NUM> has an opening <NUM> extending therethrough to a level of the interior of the sole member <NUM> so as to allow the ventral portion <NUM> to be spread open for application of the boot <NUM> to the hoof. The opening <NUM> comprises a substantially vertical slit <NUM>. The opening <NUM> also comprises a lateral opening <NUM> extending through a lower end of the upper <NUM> which opens up to the level of the interior of the sole member <NUM>. The vertical slit <NUM> and the lateral opening <NUM> together define an upside-down t-shaped opening in the ventral portion <NUM>. Above lateral opening <NUM> is a protective bar or bumper <NUM> that forms a ledge above the opening <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the dorsal portion <NUM> takes a substantially 'm' shaped configuration and the securing strap <NUM> engages an upper central part of the 'm'. In this regard, the securing strap <NUM> extends through apertures <NUM> formed in the bulb engaging means by passing through one and out the other, and around a generally vertical part of the 'm' <NUM> which is a portion that extends between the bulbs. This allows the strap <NUM> to engage the boot at a location on top of the bulbs of the hoof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the strap <NUM> runs flat over a top of the bulbs, actually laying on top of the bulbs. This reduces or avoids irritation to the hoof. Were the strap <NUM> to be positioned any higher on the hoof it could interfere with the leg. Were the strap <NUM> to be positioned any lower it would interfere with the bulbs.

It will be appreciated that there are many other ways in which the securing strap <NUM> may engage the dorsal portion <NUM>, particularly for boots of other configurations, though the illustrated retention method has been found to be easily constructed, simple and effective.

For example, the strap <NUM> may simply secure to fasteners secured to the dorsal portion at sides of the 'm', or to a side or rear of the boot, preferably near an upper part of the boot.

The bulb-engaging means includes a cleft-engaging member <NUM> for engaging a cleft of the bulbs of the hoof. The cleft-engaging member <NUM> includes a shank or web which engages the cleft of the bulbs. The shank or web is generally half round in cross section, the rounded surface of the shank or web being directed towards the cleft when the boot is worn.

In use, strap <NUM> is unsecured and fasteners <NUM> opened to allow the boot <NUM> to be fitted to the hoof. Once the boot <NUM> is placed over the hoof, the two sections 10a, 10b are then passed around the opposite sides of the hoof one either side of the pastern bone and above the coronary band. Ends of the two sections 10a, 10b are then fed through coupler <NUM> and drawn tight around the hoof.

Ends of the two sections 10a, 10b are then slid over the lowermost strap or fastener <NUM>, with fastener <NUM> being received through openings <NUM>. Once the ends of the two sections 10a, 10b are secured to the lowermost fastener <NUM>, that fastener is secured to the boot <NUM>, along with the uppermost fastener <NUM>. After a quick fitment check, the boot is ready for use.

Claim 1:
A securing strap (<NUM>) for an equine hoof boot (<NUM>), the strap (<NUM>) being configured for securing the boot (<NUM>) to a horse's hoof at a location above the horse's coronary band and for fixing to the boot (<NUM>) at generally central locations on a front and rear of the boot, wherein the strap (<NUM>) has two sections (10a, 10b), each section (10a, 10b) configured to extend either side of the horse's pastern bone, the two sections (10a, 10b) configured for coming together at a location above the horse's coronary band for securement to the hoof, wherein the two sections (10a, 10b) come together at a centrally positioned coupler (<NUM>) above the front of the boot (<NUM>).