Horseshoe having replaceable horseshoe pad

A replaceable horseshoe pad for use with a shoe plate, the horseshoe pad comprising:

• a cushioning sole plate;
• a plurality of ground contacting cleat-like members each joined to, and extending outwardly from the sole plate, the cleat-like members being adapted to extend through corresponding cleat receiving apertures formed in the shoe plate, the cushioning sole plate and cleat-like members being integrally molded from a multi-durometer polymeric material, with the cushioning sole plate having a first hardness, and the cleat-like members having a second hardness, the second hardness being greater than the first hardness;
• and
• means for securing the sole and shoe plates to a horse's hoof, wherein the securing means comprises:
• a plurality of apertures defined in the sole plate;
• a plurality of corresponding apertures defined in the shoe plate;
• and
• a plurality of horseshoe nails receivable through the shoe plate apertures, the sole plate and the horse's hoof, respectively.

A horseshoe, comprising:

• a shoe plate;
• a replaceable cushioning sole plate;
• a plurality of ground contacting cleat-like members each joined to, and extending outwardly from the sole plate;
• a plurality of cleat receiving apertures formed in the shoe plate, the cleat-like members being adapted to extend through the cleat receiving apertures, wherein the cushioning sole plate and cleat-like members are integrally molded from a multi-durometer polymeric material, with the cushioning sole plate having a first hardness, and the cleat-like members having a second hardness, the second hardness being greater than the first hardness;
• and
• means for securing the sole and shoe plates to a horse's hoof.

The replaceable horseshoe pad as defined in claim 13 wherein the securing means comprises:

• a plurality of apertures defined in the sole plate;
• a plurality of corresponding apertures defined in the shoe plate;
• and
• a plurality of horseshoe nails receivable through the shoe plate apertures, the sole plate apertures and the horse's hoof, respectively.

A horseshoe, comprising:

• a shoe plate;
• a replaceable cushioning sole plate;
• three ground contacting cleat-like members each joined to, and extending outwardly from the sole plate, the cushioning sole plate and cleat-like members being integrally molded from a multi-durometer polymeric material, with the cushioning sole plate having a first hardness, and the cleat-like members having a second hardness, the second hardness being greater than the first hardness;
• three cleat receiving apertures formed in the shoe plate, the cleat-like members being adapted to extend through the cleat receiving apertures;
• and
• means for securing the sole and shoe plates to a horse's hoof, wherein the securing means comprises:
• a plurality of apertures defined in the sole plate;
• a plurality of corresponding apertures defined in the shoe plate;
• and
• a plurality of horseshoe nails receivable through the shoe plate apertures, the sole plate apertures and the horse's hoof, respectively, wherein at least one of the horseshoe nails has a polymeric head fixedly attached to the nail head, the polymeric headed nail being adapted to function as an additional cleat-like member.