Frustoconical: having the shape of a frustum of a cone.

 

The similar shapes of a frustum cone and a hoof.  The hoof is most often narrower at the hairline than the base. 

In a recent patent application, our patent attorney described the hoof as Frustoconical.  I looked up the word and the associated diagrams made me smile at the relevance.

Why should you care as a horse owner? The frustoconical shape of most equine hooves means that the base of the hoof is wider or has a larger circumference at the end of a trim cycle than at the beginning of the trim cycle.  If a horse is protected with a device, or if the professional doesn’t apply the device in a way that allows for this expansion, the hoof is held in a shape dictated by the device or the method.  Repeated cycles of holding the hoof in this dictated state change the shape and size of the hoof over time.

Early testing of the EasyShoe suggests that heels tend to expand or spread at 1mm per week when fitted in an EasyShoe.  The 1mm of expansion per week is consistent whether the shoe is glued or nailed to the hoof.

Do you believe the hoof is frustoconical?  How do you believe the shape of the hoof changes during a trim cycle and what is the relevance of the hoof protection used?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Garrett Ford

easycare-president-ceo-garrett-ford

President & CEO

I have been President and CEO of EasyCare since 1993. My first area of focus for the company is in product development, and my goal is to design the perfect hoof boot for the barefoot horse.