Patent Application
20140196915
This invention is a novel apparatus and method for treating and covering the hoof and lower leg of a livestock animal, such as a horse. More specifically, the invention is a combination hoof shoe and sock for holding the shoe in place on a hoof and treating a wounded animal.
Hoof shoes are commonly provided for treating leg injuries to horses and other animals who cannot avoid walking on the injured limb. The hoof shoes enclose the hoof, providing a barrier between the injured limb and the surface on which the animal may ambulate, and are often padded to prevent further injury to the hoof or leg while the injury is being treated. The hoof shoes may also include a pad or pocket for receiving a medicated substance, such as an ointment or cream, allowing the injury to be treated while the animal ambulates.
A variety of methods of attaching and securing a hoof shoe to an injured foot and/or leg have been proposed and include physical engagement, fasteners inserted into the hoof structure, wrappings, and other types of engagement.
Occasionally animals will have an injury that extends beyond the hoof to the leg of the animal. It may therefore be desirous to secure an elongated sock to the leg of the animal to treat the injury.
Presently disclosed is a hoof cover for administering a medication to a animal hoof,. The hoof cover may include a flexible rubber boot shaped to receive a hoof; and a fabric sock secured to the rubber boot at a seam, whereby the fabric sock is lined with a material for adhering to the leg of the horse to keep the sock in position. In one embodiment, the liner may include silicone. In another embodiment, the liner may include thermoplastic polyurethane. In various embodiments, the seam of the hoof cover may be sewn, glued, or hot fused.
Also disclosed is a method of treating a hoof and leg. The method may include the steps of applying a medication to a hoof; securing a hoof shoe about said hoof; and securing a sock to said leg, wherein said sock is connected to said hoof shoe. In embodiments of the method, the sock may be connected to said hoof shoe at a seam, and the seam may be sewn, glued or hot fused. In embodiments, hoof shoe includes flexible rubber and the sock comprises lined fabric. The may be lined with silicone or a thermoplastic polyurethane. In some embodiments, the hoof shoe includes a closed bottom portion. The closed bottom portion may be cushioned. The closed bottom portion may also be a medicated pad. The closed bottom portion may also be a viscoelastic material.
Also disclosed is a cover for treating the hoof or leg of a hooved animal that includes a hoof shoe including a pocket for receiving a hoof, a continuous outer surface for enclosing a hoof, and a cushioned bottom portion for allowing treatment to the underside of the hoof; and a sock connected to the hoof shoe at a seam, the sock comprising a stretchable fabric having a liner that adheres to the skin or hair of an animal; wherein the hoof shoe and sock keep a medication applied to the hoof or leg of a hooved animal in contact with said hoof or leg. In some embodiments, the hoof shoe may be a flexible elastic rubber.
Referring generally to
Shown in
According to the present disclosure, the hoof shoe 102 is formed from an elastic material, such as flexible rubber, and has a pocket for receiving a hoof. In order to secure the shoe onto the hoof of an animal, the shoe 102 may be stretched open and the hoof inserted within the pocket. Once the hoof has been received in the pocket of the shoe 102, the shoe 102 may be released and return to its original shape. The original shape of the shoe 102 encloses the hoof within the pocket and provides a space for medication or the like. The shoe 102 includes a continuous outer surface, allowing for shoe to fully enclose the hoof and provide medication to the desired portion of the hoof.
In the illustrated embodiment, the hoof shoe 102 fully encloses the hoof and includes a closed bottom. The closed bottom provides a cushion for the hoof of the animal and allows for treatment of the underside of the hoof. Within the closed bottom may be a viscoelastic material adapted to define and fill voids within the hoof and provide a comfortable pad for the animal to walk on. Also provided within the closed bottom may be a medicated pad or porous material for receiving a medication.
Connected to the hoof shoe 102 at a seam 106 is a leg sock 104 that is formed of a flexible material that grabs and adheres to the leg of the animal being treated. The leg sock 104 is designed to extend along the leg of the animal from the hoof towards the knee. In one embodiment, the sock 104 extends above the knee while in a second embodiment the sock 104 ends below the knee. The sock 104 is formed of a silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane lined fabric. The fabric is flexible and allows the sock 104 to adapt to the various contours and shape of the animal leg between the hoof and knee. The silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane lining along the inside of the sock 104 is provided to allow the sock to adhere to the leg of the animal.
According to the embodiment illustrated in
According to the illustrated embodiment, the seam 106 is provided at the joint between the hoof shoe 102 and leg sock 104. In this embodiment, the leg sock 104 does not overlap the shoe 102 and the seam 106 is provided on the outside of the shoe. However, other embodiments are also contemplated where the sock 104 and shoe 102 overlap. According to one embodiment, the leg sock 104 extends into the shoe 102 and a seam 106 is provided on the inside of the shoe 102. Alternatively, the leg sock 104 may extend along the outside of the shoe 102 and the seam 106 may be provided on the outside of the shoe.
Application of the hoof cover to an animal may be accomplished by the following steps. First, the leg sock 104 of the hoof cover 100 is rolled down or inverted over the hoof shoe 102. Next, the hoof shoe 102 is stretched to receive the hoof of the animal to be treated. Then the hoof of the animal is inserted into the hoof shoe 102. The hoof shoe 102 is released and returned to its original shape by the elastic nature of the shoe, enclosing the hoof within a pocket of the hoof shoe 102. Finally, the leg sock 104 is rolled over the hoof shoe 102 and onto the leg of the animal to be treated. The leg sock 104 may extend to a point below, at, or above the knee of the animal to be treated. The leg sock 104 includes a liner, such as silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane, that adheres to the skin or hair of the animal, keeping the sock in position. The shoe 102 is held in place by the leg sock 104 and the elastic properties of the shoe, which is shaped to receive the hoof of the animal.
In the above described method, the hoof shoe 102 is connected to the leg sock 104 at a seam 106 that provides a continuous inner surface for receiving a hoof and portion of the leg of the animal to be treated. The continuous inner surface allows a medication, such as an ointment, to be applied to the leg, hoof, or both, and prevents the medication from losing contact with the limb. The shoe 102 and sock 104 combination also provides a barrier against foreign material, such as dirt, stones, or water, from contacting the animal's limb during regular movement. The shoe 102 and sock 104 are constructed of flexible materials that allow the animal to use the limb in a normal manner without discomfort, pain, or difficulty. Finally, the combined sock and shoe are easy to apply and secure to the animal, reducing discomfort of the animal during application and time for the individual securing the sock.
While certain embodiments have been described, it must be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/752,750, filed Jan. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61752750 | Jan 2013 | US |
