Gripping device and method for protecting the hoof of a horse from concussive forces

A kit for horseshoeing, said kit comprising:

• a horseshoe, the horseshoe having an upper surface for attachment to the bottom surface of a hoof to be shod and a lower surface for engaging the ground, the horseshoe comprising an elastomeric pad for protecting the hoof from concussive forces, the pad having a curvilinear outer periphery conforming to the outer periphery of the horse's hoof and forming the upper and lower surfaces, a pair of openings extending between the upper and lower surfaces, a raised traction element embedded into the elastomeric pad and having an inner and outer periphery, the inner periphery of the traction element forming a central chamber that extends between the surfaces of the pad and permits access to the bottom surface of the hoof when the pad is attached to the hoof, and at least one toe clip extending from the outer periphery of the pad to engage the outer periphery of the hoof,
• a hospital plate, the hospital plate being removably mountable to the lower surface and in covering relation to the openings, the hospital plate having a curvilinear periphery that conforms, at least in part, to the outer periphery of the traction element for snug fitment thereabout,
• a second pad, the second pad being comprised of soft polymeric material having a curvilinear outer periphery that conforms to the inner periphery of the traction element for snug fitment of the second pad within the within the central chamber, and
• at least one fastener for fastening the hospital plate to the horseshoe.

A horseshoe assembly for attachment to the bottom surface of a horse's hoof, the assembly comprising:

• a U-shaped horseshoe having an upper surface, a lower surface for contacting the ground, an exterior sidewall, and an interior sidewall,
• a thin pad of a resilient elastomeric material, the pad being compressible in response to the horse placing its weight on the hoof and having an outer periphery that is complementary to the exterior sidewall of said horseshoe, an upper surface that abuts against the bottom surface of the horse's hoof, and a lower surface that abuts against the upper surface of said horseshoe,
• a traction plate embedded within the elastomeric material, said traction plate including a raised traction element that extends downwardly from said traction plate and outwardly of the lower surface of said pad, said traction element extending downwardly from the lower surface of said pad by an amount not protruding beyond the lower surface of the horseshoe when the horseshoe and pad are attached to the hoof,
• at least one clip for engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the horse's hoof, said clip extending from the outer periphery of said pad and bendable so as to extend perpendicularly upwardly relative to the upper surface of said pad, and
• means for attaching said pad member and said horseshoe to the bottom surface of the horse's hoof with the pad being sandwiched between the bottom surface of the horse's hoof and the horseshoe.

A horseshoe for attachment to a horse's hoof, comprising:

• a one-piece planar flexure plate embedded into a body of first elastomeric material, the body of elastomeric material forming an upper surface that engages the bottom of the horse's hoof and a lower surface, the flexure plate having an outer peripheral shape conforming to the shape of the hoof and including a forward end portion, a raised T-shaped wall section and a pair of raised arcuate peripheral wall sections, the T-shaped wall section overlying the frog of the horse's hoof when the horseshoe is attached thereto and forming a T-shaped chamber, and the raised wall T-shaped and arcuate sections forming traction surfaces, a pair of shaped openings that permit access to the frog of the horse's hoof, at least one clip for engagement against the horse's hoof, the clip angling upwardly and backwardly relative to the upper surface, a toe calk positioned at the forward end portion of the flexure plate, the toe calk having a bottom end portion embedded in the elastomeric material and a top end disposed above the upper surface, a hospital plate of rigid material disposed against the upper surface and removably connected to the flexure plate, the hospital plate having a curvilinear outer periphery conforming to the raised wall sections, the toe calk and the T-shaped wall section, the hospital plate covering the shaped openings, and a T-shaped pad of second elastomeric material removably disposed within said T-shaped chamber to provide support and transmit forces that stimulate the frog.

Apparatus for protecting the hoof a horse from concussive forces, the apparatus comprising:

• a generally planar support pad that is formed of a resilient material, said support pad having an upper surface that is positionable against the bottom surface of the horse's hoof and a lower surface, an outer edge portion that is sandwichable between the horse's hoof and a horseshoe when mounted to the hoof, and two cutout portions to provide access to frog portion of the horse's hoof,
• a stiffening plate including at least two legs that are connected to the support pad and a Y-shaped traction element that projects away from the lower surface of the support pad, the traction element being positionable centrally of the outer edge portion and between the two cutout portions whereby to overlie the frog and central portions of the horse's hoof when said pad is positioned relative to the hoof,
• a hospital plate that is removably mountable to the lower surface of said support pad whereby to be in covering relation with the cutout portions, said hospital plate including a curvilinear edge which is complementary to and seats, in part, about the traction element and against the interior of the horseshoe, and
• means for removably affixing the hospital plate to the support pad.