Farrier's measuring tool and method for using

Abstract

A farrier's tool and a method of using the tool for preparing the hoof of a horse to receive a shoe. The tool is a symmetrical measuring device used for determining the position of the breakover point on a horse's hoof. After the position of the break-over point is determined, the portion of the hoofwall forward of the breakover point is beveled by means of a trimming tool to reduce leverage on the underlying coffin bone, particularly during locomotion. A horseshoe is then shaped to conform to the contour of the trimmed and beveled hoof and nailed to the hoof. The method provides means for accurately aligning the hoof capsule with the coffin bone in the hoof.

1 . A tool operable for determining the position of the break-over line on the botton of the hoof of a horse consisting essentially of an elongate strip having a length and a visible center indicia disposed midway along said length, said center indicia representing zero on a numerical scale, and plurality of equally-spaced numerical gradations ruled laterally on a surface of said strip outwardly from said center indicia, said gradations extending from zero to around 100 mm in each direction from said center indicia.  
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said strip is made from a transparent material and wherein said numerical gradations are spaced  1  mm apart.  
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein said length is between 80 mm and 200 mm.  
   
   
       4 . A method for shoeing a horse comprising the steps of: (a) placing an index finger on the center of the coronet band on the upper surface of a horses hoof, then (b) bringing a thumb in opposition to the index finger to rest on the bottom of the hoof; then (c) marking the actual center of the hoof, the actual center being defined as the point where the thumb contacts the hoof; then (d) place a tool in accordance with  claim 1  or  2  against the bottom of the hoof such that the orientation of the tool along the length of the tool runs in an anterior-posterior direction and wherein the center indicia overlies the actual center of the hoof; then (e) measure the distance L from the center indicia to the heel of the hoof; then (f) measuring a distance L forward of the center indicia and marking the hoof with a transverse break-over line; then (g) beveling a portion of the hoof forward of the break-over line an angle Θ relative to the plane of the, the hoof thereafter being a prepared hoof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of bending the forward end of a horseshoe an angle Θ relative to the plane of the horseshoe such that the horseshoe conforms to the contour of the prepared hoof then nailing the horseshoe to the hoof.