The invention concerns cushioning compositions comprising (a) at least one of urethane polymer and silicone polymeric putty; and (b) hydraulic silicone crumb; said hydraulic silicone crumb being mixed with component (a). The invention also concerns devices and methods using such compositions. Protective devices have been used to protect the hoofs of animals. Shoes have been used to protect the hoofs from damage while the animal is walking or running.

The invention concerns cushioning compositions comprising (a) at least one of urethane polymer and silicone polymeric putty; and (b) hydraulic silicone crumb; said hydraulic silicone crumb being mixed with component (a). The invention also concerns devices and methods using such compositions. Protective devices have been used to protect the hoofs of animals. Shoes have been used to protect the hoofs from damage while the animal is walking or running.

A therapeutic support horseshoe includes a resilient, flexile moldable material formed in a U shape with an anterior segment from which opposing first and second side segments continuously extend to opposing caudal ends separated as an open heel and a pliable, metal rod-like reinforcer embedded in the flexile moldable material between opposing hoof-contacting and ground-contacting surfaces, the reinforcer extending from one caudal end, through the anterior segment, to the other caudal end of the horseshoe. The horseshoe so formed includes an inner side surface and an outer side surface between the opposing hoof-contacting and ground-contacting surfaces a slot formed in the inner side surface, approximately halfway between the opposing hoof-contacting and ground-contacting surfaces, and extending from the one caudal end to the other caudal end.

A therapeutic support horseshoe includes a resilient, flexile moldable material formed in a U shape with an anterior segment from which opposing first and second side segments continuously extend to opposing caudal ends separated as an open heel and a pliable, metal rod-like reinforcer embedded in the flexile moldable material between opposing hoof-contacting and ground-contacting surfaces, the reinforcer extending from one caudal end, through the anterior segment, to the other caudal end of the horseshoe. The horseshoe so formed includes an inner side surface and an outer side surface between the opposing hoof-contacting and ground-contacting surfaces a slot formed in the inner side surface, approximately halfway between the opposing hoof-contacting and ground-contacting surfaces, and extending from the one caudal end to the other caudal end.

A boot assembly and method that simulates, in a static equine animal (stalled or hauled), the natural mechanical action of walking or other gaited exercise. The assembly has a boot, containing a shock absorbing pad that is fitted with one or more pulsing bladders disposed under or inside the shock absorbing pad. Pressuring and relaxing the pulsing bladder in the bottom of the boot rhythmically pushes against the sole and frog and against the toe of the equine hoof in much the same way that the hoof is exercised when the animal is moving. The pulsing action helps stimulate blood flow through the hoof and is beneficial to shod, injured, and transported horses. The assembly may be fitted on one or more hooves, and may be automated to provide timing and sequencing to simulate different gaits of the animal. In some aspects, the assembly is disposed in an ice boot or ice spa boot to also provide cryotherapy as well as simulated exercise.

An equine shoe assembly, comprising a dual density polymer shoe having a relatively soft bottom patterned section and a base section of harder polymer capable of holding nails and maintaining the shoe is relatively rigid and structurally intact during use on equine hooves fitted in a conventional metal equine shoe supporting the harder polymer base section.

An equine shoe assembly, comprising a dual density polymer shoe having a relatively soft bottom patterned section and a base section of harder polymer capable of holding nails and maintaining the shoe is relatively rigid and structurally intact during use on equine hooves fitted in a conventional metal equine shoe supporting the harder polymer base section.

A hoof block is provided that joins with a livestock hoof via an adhesive. The block can include a body bounded by an interior edge and a curvilinear exterior edge approximating an outer edge of the hoof and multiple shearing polygonal apertures extending through the body. Each of the shearing apertures can have a pointed end and can lay along a reference line that can be disposed at an angle, for example, 30-60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge. The apertures can be joined with bridges that shear through the body when the hoof block becomes removed from the hoof and encounters a pump impeller in a livestock facility. The block can break into pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller, and yet can support the standing and walking loads of the livestock while on the hoof. A related method of use is provided.

A protective cover for an animal hoof is provided that includes a sheet having a first side, a second side, and an exterior edge surrounding an interior area of the sheet. The exterior edge includes a plurality of slits extending from the exterior edge to the interior area of the sheet, and flaps of the sheet between each of the plurality of slits. The first side has an adhesive material and the second side has a textured surface. The protective cover may be applied by providing the protective cover; removing the film from the adhesive material; applying the first side with the adhesive material to a center of a bottom of the animal hoof; folding the flaps of the sheet between each of the plurality of slits; and pressing the protective cover against the animal hoof toe, heel, and sidewalls.

A protective cover for an animal hoof is provided that includes a sheet having a first side, a second side, and an exterior edge surrounding an interior area of the sheet. The exterior edge includes a plurality of slits extending from the exterior edge to the interior area of the sheet, and flaps of the sheet between each of the plurality of slits. The first side has an adhesive material and the second side has a textured surface. The protective cover may be applied by providing the protective cover; removing the film from the adhesive material; applying the first side with the adhesive material to a center of a bottom of the animal hoof; folding the flaps of the sheet between each of the plurality of slits; and pressing the protective cover against the animal hoof toe, heel, and sidewalls.