Importance

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Abstract

A horseshoe 10 with a plurality of nail patterns provides opposed mirror-image left and right branches 20, 30 connected by a bridge 40. The bridge is flexible enough that the left and right branches are able to move with respect to each other in response to the 'splaying' or radial expansion of the horse's hoof when weight is applied. Scribe marks 50 defined on the lower surface of the bridge provide indica to guide a horseshoer in grinding the bridge to provide greater flexibility. At least two nail hole patterns, an inner nail pattern 60 and an outer nail pattern 70 are defined between the upper and lower surfaces of the left and right branches. The inner nail hole pattern is used where the horse's hoof wall is approximately 3/8' thick and generally healthy. The outer nail hole pattern is used where the hoof wall thickness is much less, often approximately 1/8', and the hoofs health is devastated. A groove 80 defined in the lower surface of each of the branches, links the nail holes of the inner and/or outer nail hole patterns and tends to promote traction. A tapered region 90 defined in each branch interacts with the flexible bridge by tending to move the branches of the shoe away from each other when the horse applies weight.

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First Claim