A hoof protection apparatus and method includes a hoof support platform with a top, a bottom, a front, a first side, a second side, and a space between the first side and the second side, where the front is connected by a hinge device to the first side and by a hinge device to the second side such that the first side is independently movable and such that the second side is independently movable. At least three separate hoof contact devices are provided where at least one hoof contact device is connected to the front of the hoof support platform and at least one hoof contact device is connected to the first side and at least one hoof contact device is connected with the second side. An attachment device for attaching the hoof protection apparatus to a hoof is provided where the attachment device is removably attached to the hoof protection apparatus.

A hoof protection apparatus and method includes a hoof support platform with a top, a bottom, a front, a first side, a second side, and a space between the first side and the second side, where the front is connected by a hinge device to the first side and by a hinge device to the second side such that the first side is independently movable and such that the second side is independently movable. At least three separate hoof contact devices are provided where at least one hoof contact device is connected to the front of the hoof support platform and at least one hoof contact device is connected to the first side and at least one hoof contact device is connected with the second side. An attachment device for attaching the hoof protection apparatus to a hoof is provided where the attachment device is removably attached to the hoof protection apparatus.

A horseshoe having a front end and a back end includes a curved heel plate disposed adjacent the back end, a pair of side branches coupled to opposing ends of the curved heel plate, a heel wedge coupled to the heel plate, the wedge being translatable relative to the heel plate, a fabric coupled to the pair of side branches and a pair of cushions coupled to the fabric and disposed over the pair of side branches.

A horseshoe having a front end and a back end includes a curved heel plate disposed adjacent the back end, a pair of side branches coupled to opposing ends of the curved heel plate, a heel wedge coupled to the heel plate, the wedge being translatable relative to the heel plate, a fabric coupled to the pair of side branches and a pair of cushions coupled to the fabric and disposed over the pair of side branches.

A core for a horseshoe assembly, which is directly mounted beneath a surface of a horse hoof is disclosed. The horseshoe assembly includes a center piece, a solid single first side arm piece and a second solid single side arm piece, wherein the center piece is free from through slots or through holes for nailing to the bottom surface of the horse hoof, and the solid single first side arm piece and the solid single second side arm piece each comprises respective through slots or through holes for optional nailing of nails to the bottom surface of the horse hoof, and the solid single first side arm piece and the solid single second side arm piece are each pivotally coupled to the center piece through a first pivoting region with a first hinge and a second pivoting region with a second hinge.

A core for a horseshoe assembly, which is directly mounted beneath a surface of a horse hoof is disclosed. The horseshoe assembly includes a center piece, a solid single first side arm piece and a second solid single side arm piece, wherein the center piece is free from through slots or through holes for nailing to the bottom surface of the horse hoof, and the solid single first side arm piece and the solid single second side arm piece each comprises respective through slots or through holes for optional nailing of nails to the bottom surface of the horse hoof, and the solid single first side arm piece and the solid single second side arm piece are each pivotally coupled to the center piece through a first pivoting region with a first hinge and a second pivoting region with a second hinge.

A horse boot comprises a shell with front and lateral sidewalls. The sole has a longitudinal slot and an open rear end for access to the slot. The slot may be open or closed. A heel support includes a bottom plate for slidable engagement with the slot at a desired length position. Straps wrap around the hoof and connect the heel support to the shell of the boot. The heel support comprises a back plate and a heel cradle slidably coupled to the back plate for vertical adjustment. Straps extend forward attached to the front portion of the shell. In another embodiment a heel cradle structure includes bands fastened to the rear of the shell, thereby defining bulb retaining openings. A strap wrapped around the hoof is attached to the bands. The boot is fitted adjusting length and height to optimize the way it is fastened to the hoof.

A horse boot comprises a shell with front and lateral sidewalls. The sole has a longitudinal slot and an open rear end for access to the slot. The slot may be open or closed. A heel support includes a bottom plate for slidable engagement with the slot at a desired length position. Straps wrap around the hoof and connect the heel support to the shell of the boot. The heel support comprises a back plate and a heel cradle slidably coupled to the back plate for vertical adjustment. Straps extend forward attached to the front portion of the shell. In another embodiment a heel cradle structure includes bands fastened to the rear of the shell, thereby defining bulb retaining openings. A strap wrapped around the hoof is attached to the bands. The boot is fitted adjusting length and height to optimize the way it is fastened to the hoof.

A horseshoe having a front end and a back end includes a base plate having a first stiffness, an intermediate layer having a second stiffness, the second stiffness being less than the first stiffness, the intermediate plate being disposed adjacent the base plate, a top plate disposed adjacent the intermediate layer and a heel wedge capable of articulating relative to the base plate.

A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.