| 摘要 |
<p>A horseshoe (2) comprising a base portion (4) having a base surface (8), see Figure 7, which, in use, is adjacent the hoof of a horse, an integral flange portion (6) which projects downwardly from the base portion (4), the flange portion (6) extending substantially along the entire length of the base portion (4), the flange portion (6) comprising, in cross section, first, second, third and fourth portions (30, 22, 18, 34), see Figure 7, the first and third portions (30, 18) being substantially straight and the first portion (30) defining at least in part an outer side of the horseshoe (2), the second portion (22) being a convex curve merging smoothly into the first and third portions (30, 18), the fourth portion (34) being a concave curve which merges smoothly from the third portion (18) to the base portion (4), the first and third portions (30, 18) forming a wedge shape which decreases in width in a direction away from the base portion (4), whereby, in use, the wedge shape provides a cushioning effect to the horseshoe (2) as it strikes the ground, the reaction forces increasing as the wedge shape increases penetration into the ground.</p> |
