Hoof boot with pivoting heel captivator

Abstract

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.

1 . A hoof boot for placement on a hoof, the hoof boot comprising:
 a base including a bottom wherein the bottom covers the entire bottom surface of the hoof and wherein the base at least partially covers lateral and anterior surfaces of the hoof;   a cupped heel captivator; and   a coupling mechanism for coupling the base to the cupped heel captivator wherein the cupped heel captivator is coupled to the base and moves forward and upward relative to the base after coupling when said coupling mechanism is under tension.   
     
     
         2 . The boot of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a polymeric substance. 
     
     
         3 . The boot of  claim 1  wherein the heel captivator includes a mesh with a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         4 . The boot of  claim 1  further comprising a lining underlying the heel captivator. 
     
     
         5 . The boot of  claim 1  wherein the coupling mechanism is a pivoting mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . A hoof boot for placement on a hoof, the boot comprising:
 a front and a rear;   a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear of the boot;   a base wherein the base at least partially covers lateral and anterior surfaces of the hoof;   wherein the base has sides and includes a bottom having a front and a back;   a cupped heel captivator including front and rear portions;   a coupling mechanism for coupling the base to the front portion of the cupped heel captivator wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least one tension element wherein the tension element passes through at least one restriction point;   wherein the at least one restriction point is located between the front and back of the base and at a distance at least 40% of a distance between the front and the back thereof;   wherein the rear portion of the heel captivator is unfastened to the base; and   wherein when coupled under tension, the coupling mechanism provides forward and backward movement of the cupped heel captivator relative to the front and rear of the boot and allows lateral movement of the cupped heel captivator relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         7 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the at least one restriction point is located a distance no more than 70% of the distance from the front to the back. 
     
     
         8 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the at least one restriction point is located a distance 55% of the distance from the front to the back. 
     
     
         9 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the at least one restriction point is coupled to the side of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the base comprises a polymeric substance. 
     
     
         11 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the heel captivator includes a mesh with a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         12 . The boot of  claim 6  further comprising a lining underlying the heel captivator. 
     
     
         13 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the heel captivator can move forward and upward relative to the base after coupling. 
     
     
         14 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the heel captivator can move forward and upward relative to the base after coupling when said coupling mechanism is under tension. 
     
     
         15 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the coupling mechanism is a pivoting mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . A hoof boot for placement on a hoof, the hoof boot comprising:
 a base including a bottom wherein the bottom covers the entire bottom surface of the hoof and wherein the base at least partially covers lateral and anterior surfaces of the hoof;   a cupped heel captivator having an edge, wherein the edge of the cupped heel captivator is disconnected from the base forming an interface of open nature to allow ejection of debris; and   a coupling mechanism for coupling the base to the cupped heel captivator wherein the cupped heel captivator is coupled to the base and moves forward and upward relative to the base after coupling when said coupling mechanism is under tension.   
     
     
         17 . The boot of  claim 16  wherein the base comprises a polymeric substance. 
     
     
         18 . The boot of  claim 16  wherein the heel captivator includes a mesh with a plurality of holes, a top arch and strap holders portions wherein the top arch extends from one strap holder to the other strap holder. 
     
     
         19 . The boot of  claim 16  further comprising a lining underlying the heel captivator. 
     
     
         20 . The boot of  claim 16  wherein the coupling mechanism is a pivoting mechanism.