07/21/2024
I have designed a new composite horseshoe that I am very excited about. I am confident that this design will catch the attention of the equine world. I have already secured a provisional patent.
The Living Shoe
Introducing the living shoe. I am developing this shoe in hope of solving some of the problems with today’s/present issues with hoof protection devices.
Hoof protection has been around probably as long as humans have domesticated horses.
In the past hoof protection was dominated by iron and nails, which was great for the technology at the time.
As Science, medical, technical, and mechanical has improved so has hoof protection.
Iron shoes have made great strides in the attempt and success of the horses' ability to perform. Iron shoes were developed and still are being develops to address lameness issues and conformational issues.
The drawback about nails and iron is the restriction of the horses' foot/hoof to function properly.
There has been a huge movement (rightfully so) to give the horse its ability to let the foot function naturally.
One of the movements has been coined “barefoot.” I myself have a horse who very seldom needs hoof protection, but the reality of it is 99% of horses will need or should hoof protection at sone point in their lives.
Another movement for hoof protection has been hoof boots. In 1969, Dr Neil Glass developed the “Easyboot.” On the current market there are literally hundreds of different boots, composites, and poly composites available. Glue-On’s or nailed on. You might be surprised to know that the first possible composite shoe was patented in 1861.
Boots and composites have come along way protecting the foot and not restricting foot function as much as iron and nails.
As with iron and nails boots and composites come with draw backs. In many ways more so than just nailing on an iron shoe. Boots need to be put on and taken off every time you ride, If the fit isn’t precise, they will cause injury, come off and be lost, they can be difficult to put on and take off, even if you have a good fit, they are not the best for performance horses and the initial cost is high.
Glue Ons have their own set of problems. They are expensive, many have glue bonding issues, preparation is important and takes extra time compared to shaping an iron shoe. Depending on the make and model of the composite, fitting may be an issue.
Nailing on composite shoes can be discouraging also. The fit has to be correct for nailing. If you can’t find the correct size, nailing on a composite will not be possible. Using nails is a problem in itself. No matter how you look at it, nailing into something compromises that structure.
What it comes down to is what the horse owner, vet and hoof care professional think is best for the horse.
But there is a huge problem to overcome, domestication. Horses in the wild (comparatively speaking) have none of the hoof problems are domesticated equines do. We could debate all the reasons why, but we need a solution, not an argument.
The living horseshoe design is unique. A composite/glue on shoe that it mimics the way the horse’s foot functions naturally better than and different than anything on the current market.
In fig1. Solar surface; highlights concavity on the bottom of the shoe. The concavity doesn’t start at the perimeter of the shoe. The concavity starts it downward slope at 20mm in from the perimeter to the open sole. Depth of the concavity from where it starts is 6mm. The treads are 3mm in from where the concavity starts. It is 5mm wide on the surface and angles down to 2.5mm wide at the bottom. The concavity allows the shoe to flex and particles that might otherwise be packed in the tread will come out readily. The treads at the heel are placed at a 90% angle from the perimeter trads for traction moving forward. The oversized frog support is 2mm below the superior surface of the shoe and at the same elevation where the deepest part of where concavity ends. The small gap allows for the decent of the frog to make contact with the frog support more naturally. Another feature of the frog support is the tread in the location of the center sulcus. It is 20mm long, 12mm wide sloping down to a flat surface of 12mm long and 6mm wide. This will stimulate the natural function of the frog. A tab will be attached at the apex of the frog support to the inner part of the front of the shoe for support of the shoe structure. Heel groves allow for the shoe to expand upon loading/weight bearing of the foot.
In fig.2 Lateral view; highlights the camber arch of the foot that occurs naturally enhancing foot function. Camber at the toe starts at the 10 and 2 position and ends 32 mm before the back of the shoe.
The anterior of the of the shoe is rolled from the 10 to 2 for break over as occurs naturally. There will be an 45% angle at the heel. 6mm in towards the toe and 6mm up towards the superior surface of the shoe allowing for smoother landings. The polyurethane material of the shoe will allow for different cuffs or tabs of choice to be heat welded on either at the time of manufacture or DIY applications.
In fig.3 Posterior view; highlights the concavity of the shoe and the heel expansion groves.
The living horseshoe is designed to enhance, stimulate, and protect equines feet. Applied with glue-on cuff or tabs. As highlighted in Figures 1-3 concavity of the solar surface, camber from 10-2 position to 32mm before the back of the shoe. The self-cleaning tread design, the heel expansion groves, the frog support, and the center sulcus frog stimulation design. The living shoe can be used for all disciplines of equestrian activities. The living shoe can also be used for equines that have movement problems and lameness issues. Rehabilitation for navicular, laminitis, and other problems where stimulation/enhancement of foot function is needed. Application of the living horseshoe is not complicated. The following instructions are important. Knowledge of foot function, anatomy, and natural hoof trimming is important.
The hoof wall must be trimmed for natural foot function as allowed by any hoof pathologies current. The hoof wall surface must be prepared to accept gluing. Different sizes will be available and that is important for a successful application. Because of the polyurethane material, modification for fit and function can be done in the field.
Traditional iron and nailed-on horseshoes fall short of allowing foot function almost on every level. Hoof boots allow foot function but do not function with the foot. The only product that comes close is the current polyurethane horseshoes but fall short of the shoe functioning with their feet. The current designs do not function with the natural function of the feet. This impedes optimal foot function. The current polyurethane shoe designs lack the ability to function with the foot and can also lead to shoes coming off. The living horseshoe design is an upgraded design designed to enhance and complement natural foot function.
For those of you that are interested and don't want to wait for a manufacture to pick this up and go with it PM me and I will show you how I modified a versa shoe to make it. I have already tested the modification on a few horses, and it holds up just fine.
If you like it, please share.
