Hoof protection apparatus and method

A hoof protection apparatus comprising:

• a. a hoof support platform with a top, a bottom, a front, a first side with a connection end and a free end, a second side with a connection end and a free end, and a space between said first side and said second side, wherein the front is connected by a hinge device to the connection end of the first side and by a hinge device to the connection end of the second side such that the first side is independently movable and such that the second side is independently movable;
• b. at least three separate hoof contact devices wherein 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 wherein said at least one hoof contact device connected to the first side includes a first support and wherein the at least one hoof contact device connected with the second side includes a second support wherein said first support extends beyond the free end of the first side and wherein said second support extends beyond the free end of the second side and wherein both supports face said space between said first side and said second side, such that said first support and said second support receive and retain an attachment device at a distance from said hoof contact devices beyond the free ends of each of the sides;
• and
• c. an attachment device for attaching said hoof support platform to a hoof wherein said attachment device is removably attached to the hoof support platform at said at least three separate hoof contact devices.

A hoof protection method comprising:

• a. providing a hoof support platform with a top, a bottom, a front, a first side with a connection end and a free end, a second side with a connection end and a lice end, and a space between said first side and said second side, wherein the front is connected by a hinge device to the connection end of the first side and by a hinge device to the connection end of 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 wherein 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 and wherein the at least one hoof contact device on the first side includes a first support and wherein the at least one hoof contact device on the second side includes a second support wherein the first support extends beyond the free end of the first side and wherein the second support extends beyond the free end of the second side and the first support and the second support facing said space between said first side and said second side, said first support and said second support configured to receive and retain an attachment device at a distance apart from said hoof contact devices beyond the free ends of each of the sides;
• and an attachment device for attaching said hoof support platform to a hoof wherein said attachment device is removably attached to the hoof contact devices;
• and
• b. moving said first side and said second side such that they conform to the shape of a hoof.