Sole for an equine riding boot and equine riding boot having same sole

Abstract

A sole for an equine riding boot, the sole being configured to accommodate a removable insert for receiving an underside of a horse's hoof and comprising: a generally planar upper surface upon which the insert can be placed; and a barrier extending vertically upwardly from the upper surface along an outer perimeter thereof so as to substantially enclose around the removable insert.

Description

[0001] Sole for an equine riding boot and equine riding boot having same sole

[0002] The present application claimes benefit to originally filed patent specifications of Australian patent or patent application nos. 2018276070, 2019268145, 2019311578 and 2021104876, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] Disclosed herein is a sole for an equine riding boot, along with an equine riding boot having said sole. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a sole that is configured to accommodate a removable insert for receiving an underside of a horse's hoof, the sole to be used while the horse is in recovery from an injury or illness of the hoof.

[0005] Backa round

[0006] Equine therapy boots are specialized products designed to support and enhance the health and performance of horses. These boots are used to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and provide relief from pain and swelling in the legs and hooves of horses. Equine therapy boots are particularly beneficial for horses recovering from injuries, suffering from conditions like laminitis or navicular disease, or those needing extra support during transportation. These boots help maintain optimal circulation and promote faster recovery, ensuring that horses remain comfortable and perform at their best.

[0007] Fig. 1 shows a prior art equine therapy boot 2 into which a cushioning pad or insert 4 can be placed to receive an underside of a horse's hoof. The softer padding of the insert 4 can help with the recovery and rehabilitation of a lame horse that might be suffering from hoof damage and trauma. Such prior art therapy boots 2 are not designed for riding; instead, such boots 2 are designed to be worn by horses that are lame and not sufficiently recovered or fit for riding, and only worn while in a stable. Such boots are generally quite loose fitting, big and bulky. If used for riding, such a boot could twist around the hoof and lead to a broken leg. In fact, boots of this type often are supplied with clear instructions that they are only to be used for therapy purposes and not to be used for riding in.

[0008] Horses may need to wear such therapy boots 2 for extended periods of time while limiting their physical activity so that their hooves can recover. However, it can be quite abrupt to switch from a therapy boot to a riding boot. It is also common for the condition of a horse to be somewhere along the spectrum of lame to fit, wherein the horse may not be so lame that they need to wear a therapy boot which severely limits their movement, but not sufficiently fit that they can comfortably move and be ridden with available riding boots.

[0009] The disadvantage of therapy boots 2 is that when in use, if the horse needs to continue to move and to exercise to retain its health and muscle tone, then the therapy is intermittent with the boot needed to be taken off for riding, therefore the theray is not continuous. If the therapy boot is applied to the horse's hoof for a substantial duration of time, then the horse cannot be continuously exercised without disrupting its physiology, for example, the proper alignment of the muscles and bones of the injured leg in relation to the rest of the body.

[0010] There is a need to address the above, and / or at least provide a useful alternative.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sole for an equine riding boot, the sole being configured to accommodate a removable insert for receiving an underside of a horse's hoof and comprising: a generally planar upper surface upon which the insert can be placed; and a barrier extending vertically upwardly from the upper surface along an outer perimeter thereof so as to substantially enclose around the removable insert.

[0012] It is envisaged that a height of the barrier is configured to be substantially level with an upper face of the removable insert accommodated on the upper surface of the sole. In certain embodiments, the height of the barrier measured upwardly from the upper surface of the sole, is between approximately 5mm and 15mm. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the barrier is approximately 10mm.

[0013] In one embodiment, the top surface of the barrier and the upper face of the removable insert are configured to keep the interior of the boot at the same height level as the height level of a standard equine riding boot.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a sole as described above, wherein the barrier may extend substantially continuously around the perimeter of the upper surface of the sole.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the barrier comprises an inner surface configured to enclose around a height of the insert, the inner surface extending vertically upwardly from the upper surface so as to be substantially perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the inners surface of the barrier is disposed at a 90 degree angle in relation to the upper surface of the sole.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the sole is integrally formed.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an equine riding boot comprising: a sole as described above; and an upper.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the upper extends upwardly from the barrier.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the equine riding boot may also comprise opposed lateral openings formed at a bottom of the upper where the upper would otherwise meet the barrier of the sole.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the upper and the sole are integrally formed. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an equine riding boot comprising: a boot as described above; and a removable insert provided on the upper surface of the sole and enclosed by the barrier thereof.

[0021] Brief description of the drawinas

[0022] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] Fig. l is a rear perspective view of a prior art equine therapy boot;

[0024] Fig. 2A and 2B are, respectively, cross-sectional front and side views of a sole of an equine riding boot according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of an example equine boot having a sole according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the boot of Fig. 3;

[0027] Fig. 5 is a top view of the boot of Fig. 3;

[0028] Fig. 6 is a side view of the boot of Fig. 3;

[0029] Fig. 7 is a perspective cutaway view of the boot of Fig. 3;

[0030] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the boot of Fig. 7; and

[0031] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional front view of the boot of Fig. 7.

[0032] Detailed description

[0033] The present specification discloses a sole for an equine riding boot. In particular, the sole can form part of an equine riding boot and accommodate an insert for receiving the underside of a horse's hoof. The sole comprises a generally planar upper surface upon which the insert can be placed. The sole also comprises a barrier extending vertically upwardly from the upper surface along an outer perimeter thereof to substantially enclose around the removable insert. The sole may form the sole of an equine riding boot; such a boot may thus be suitably worn by horses that are not so lame that they need to wear a therapy boot such as that shown in Fig. 1, but not so fit that a regular riding boot without padding might cause discomfort. A riding boot provided with a sole according to embodiments of the present invention thus enables a horse whose hoof is recovering from an injury or an illness to continue being ridden relatively normally and regularly, the pad secured within the boot offering additional comfort and support to the recovering hoof as the horse walks, trots, canters, gallops, jumps and the like.

[0034] Figs. 2A and 2B show, respectively front and side cross-sectional views of a sole 6 according to embodiments of the present invention, along with a padded insert 4 placed thereon. The sole 6 may be from any sufficiently durable material for withstanding the physicality and forces imparted upon an equine boot during regular and standard riding practices. In one example, the sole 6 may be integrally formed from a material such as thermoplastic urethane which has high abrasive and shock-absorbing qualities while also being robust and lightweight.

[0035] In the depicted embodiment, the sole 6 comprises a generally planar or flat upper surface 8 upon which a padded insert 4 can be placed. The insert 4 is formed from a material that is softer than that of the sole 6 and is configured to receive and support the underside of a horse's recovering hoof more comfortably than if the underside of the recovering hoof were received directly by the harder material of the sole 6, directly on its upper surface 8. Previously, a padded insert has not been used in a riding boot as inserting a padded item into a hoof boot would raise the hoof and this would be detrimental to the design of the boot and its performance. This would also be detrimental to the health of the horse as this would dirupt the balance of the horse's stature. Simply placing a padded insert into a standard equine riding boot would lift up the hoof in the boot, rendering the product not ridable. Lifting of the hoof would also move the hoof further backward. This detrimentally changes the angles of safety zone of horse physics and locomotion. The horse leg would then break over the boot too far forward which would create tendon issues, possibly resulting in injuries in the horse. However, by recessing the removable pad into the boot, the hoof can be kept at a desired level, and in line with the levels of the remaining hoofs. Therefore, by introducing a removable pad into the sole of the present disclosure, the top of the removable pad becomes a true bottom of the boot, which contacts the underside of the horse's hoof.

[0036] The sole 6 also comprises a barrier 10 extending vertically upwardly from an outer perimeter of the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6. The barrier 10 is configured to enclose around a height or thickness of the removable insert 4. While it is envisaged that the barrier 10 may extend continuously around the entire perimeter of the upper surface 8 of the sole 6 to define a perimetric enclosure for the removable insert 4, the barrier 10 may of course have openings, be formed of two or more upwardly projecting wall elements, and so forth, provided that the barrier 10 acts to position the removable insert 4 upon the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6. In other words, the barrier 10 functions to inhibit lateral movement of the removable insert 4 relative to the sole 6, thereby retaining the removable insert 4 on the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6 and in the associated boot such that removable the insert 4 is not displaced relative to the boot when worn. Relative movement between the insert 4 and the sole 6 may lead to abrasive wear and damage of the insert 4.

[0037] The height of the barrier 10, as measured vertically upwardly from the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6, may be between 5mm to 15mm. In the depicted embodiment, the height of the barrier 10 is approximately 10mm and corresponds to a height of the removable insert 4. In this way, when the insert 4 is accommodated by the sole 6, a top of the barrier 10 is generally level or flush with a top hoof-receiving surface of the insert 4, thereby keeping the hoof at a correct level for riding. Therefore, the resulting surface comprising of the barrier and the removable insert is configured to keep the interior of the boot at the same height level as the height level of a standard riding equine boot. This configuration allows for the top of the pad to be the true bottom of the boot which receives the underside of the horse's hoof.

[0038] Without the sole 6 being recessed, the height of the hoof would be higher than desirable and this would have a detrimental effect on the performance of the boot. Of course, the height of the barrier 10 need not correspond with the height of the removable insert 4, and it may be taller or shorter than the height or thickness of the insert 4.

[0039] The encircling barrier 10 is depicted with an inner surface 12 configured to enclose around the height or thickness of the removable insert 4. The inner surface 12 may also physically engage against the insert 4 to help retain the position thereof relative to the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6. The barrier 10 forms the sole level of the equine riding boot. Once the removable insert 4 is placed into the boot, the surface formation by barrier 10 is extended across the entire internal surface of the boot as the surface where horse's hoof is placed consists of the removable insert and barrier 10. Hence barrier 10 may assist with supporting the outer hoof wall on the horse's hoof by taking on some of the weight of the horse's leg. Barrier 10 serving as a part of the sole may also distribute the horse's weight and hence reduce the stress or abrasive wear and tear placed on the insert 4 thereby extending the length of use of the removable insert 4.

[0040] In the depicted embodiment, the inner surface 12 of the barrier 10 extends vertically upwardly from the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6 so as to be substantially perpendicular thereto. In other words, an angle formed between the inner wall or surface 12 of the barrier 10 and the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6 is approximately 90 degrees. This substantial perpendicularity of the barrier inner surface 12 relative to the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6 is crucial as it facilitates a secure fitting and accommodation of the insert 4 onto the sole 6. The 90 degree angle allows the perpendicularity of the inner surface 12 to the upper surface 8 of the sole 6 and this arrangement functions to inhibit lateral movement of the removable insert 4 relative to the sole 6.

[0041] The sole 6 may further comprise an anti-slip feature on its upper surface 8. An embodiment of this feature may be a number of anti-slip dimples (shown in Figs. 3 to 5). The anti-slip feature would assist with retaining the removable insert 4 on the surface 8 of the sole 6 as well as assisting with reducing the movement of of the insert 4.

[0042] Figs. 3 to 9 show views of an example equine boot 14 provided with a sole 6 according to embodiments of the present invention. The boot 14 is configured as a lightweight riding boot 14 via which a horse can be ridden relatively normally and regularly in, as compared with existing equine therapy boots. Horses are often finely tuned athletes and any deviation from traditional boots needs to be minimised as alterations to the boot design can be seriously detrimental to the horse's welfare, particularly in regard to the risk of incurring an injury, such as breaking a leg.

[0043] The boot 14 represented in present Figs. 3 to 9 and certain features thereof are based on boot embodiments disclosed in, for example, the originally filed patent specifications of Australian patent or patent application nos. 2018276070, 2019268145, 2019311578 and 2021104876, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0044] The particular boot 14 depicted in present Figs. 3 to 9 of the present specification is based on the boot disclosed in the patent specification of Australian patent application no. 2021261047 as originally filed ("the '047 boot"), a key difference being that the presently depicted boot 14 comprises a sole 6 according to embodiments of the present invention. The '047 boot comprises a sole having a flat upper surface that directly receives an underside of a horse's hoof, wherein an inwardly curving upper of the boot extends directly upwardly from the flat surface of the sole. In contrast, the sole 6 of the presently depicted boot 14 is countersunk so as to define a cavity or lowered recess onto which an insert can be positioned. The barrier wall 10 of the sole extends vertically upwardly from the perimeter of the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6. The inner surface 12 of the barrier wall 10 does not curve inwardly and is not configured to hug a hoof wall of the hoof; instead the barrier inner surface 12 extends vertically upwardly preferably perpendicular to the upper surface 8 of the sole 6, so as to enclose around the width of the insert. As described above, the angle formed between the inner wall or surface 12 of the barrier 10 and the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6 is approximately 90 degrees. The inwardly curving upper 16 of the depicted boot 14 extends upwardly from the vertically extending barrier 10 of the sole 6. In this way, respective elongate openings 18 formed in opposed lateral sides of the upper 16 are not level with and are instead at a height above the flat upper surface 8 of the sole 6; however, with the insert positioned thereon, a horse's hoof would be supported above the height of the flat upper surface 8, in fact, the true bottom of the boot would be at the top of the insert 4, and such that sides of the hoof and any associated hoof growth can be accommodated through the lateral openings 18 of the upper 16.

[0045] The advantages of the boot present disclosure is that it is a first equine riding boot which may allow for a false sole. The boots of the prior art would include an additional sole or insert, which would lift the level of the hoof thereby resuling in the product not being ridable, or raising the level of the hoof, which is detrimental to horse's angles of safety zone of horse physics and locomotion. The false sole, comprising the sole 6 and the removable insert 4 of the present disclosure, may create a natural sole that does not affect the angles of hoof and locomotion. Therefore, the boot of the present disclosure becomes a proper riding boot when compared to the boots with inserts of the prior art. The advantage of the enclosure wall such as the barrier 10 may keep the interior of boot at the same level as compared with the standard riding boots.

[0046] Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the sole has been depicted as forming part of a particular equine riding boot, the features of the presently disclosed sole may of course be adapted to form part of other equine riding boots to allow horses with recovering hooves to avoid (or reduce the duration of) having their physical movement be severely restricted by existing therapy boots without having to progress to regular riding boots that may be sources of discomfort and inadequate for securely receiving supportive and cushioning inserts. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0047] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sole for an equine riding boot, the sole being configured to accommodate a removable insert for receiving an underside of a horse's hoof and comprising: a generally planar upper surface upon which the removable insert can be placed; and a barrier extending vertically upwardly from the upper surface along an outer perimeter thereof so as to substantially enclose around the removable insert.

2. The sole of claim 1, wherein a height of the barrier is configured to be substantially level with an upper face of the removable insert accommodated on the upper surface of the sole.3 The sole of claim 2, wherein a top surface of the barrier and the upper face of the removable insert are configured to keep the interior of the boot at the same height level as the height level of a standard equine riding boot.

4. The sole of any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier functions to inhibit lateral movement of the removable insert relative to the sole, thereby retaining the removable insert on the upper surface of the sole.

5. The sole any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the barrier, measured upwardly from the upper surface of the sole, is between approximately 5mm and 15mm.

6. The sole of claim 5, wherein the height of the barrier is approximately 10mm.

7. The sole of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier extends substantially continuously around the perimeter of the upper surface of the sole.

8. The sole of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier comprises an inner surface configured to enclose around a height of the insert, the inner surface extending vertically upwardly from the upper surface so as to be substantially perpendicular thereto.

9. The sole of claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the barrier is disposed at a 90 degree angle in relation to the upper surface of the sole.

10. The sole of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sole is integrally formed.

11. An equine riding boot comprising: a sole according to any one of the preceding claims; and an upper.

12. The equine riding boot of claim 11, wherein the upper extends upwardly from the barrier.

13. The equine riding boot of claim 11 or 12, further comprising opposed lateral openings formed at a bottom of the upper where the upper would otherwise meet the barrier of the sole.

14. The equine riding boot of any one of claims 11 to 113, wherein the upper and the sole are integrally formed.

15. An equine riding boot comprising: the equine riding boot of any one of claims 111 to 14; and a removable insert provided on the upper surface of the sole and enclosed by the barrier thereof.

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