FuzNuz 3D printable Horse Hoof Boot (Design)

thingiverse

Update 4/27/20: Change the front assembly to use a double knot system instead of the cleat. Now you simply insert the loose ends of the strap into the two front holes and tie slip knots above to hold it to the tension you like, but where you can still pull the shoe free easily in an emergency. Also added were some thread holes to the compression ring to allow for stitching a cushion to the compression ring. Update 12/8/19: The first 3D print of this new design got completed today. Clearly there is a need to update and rearrange the paracord clamps on the front of the boot as they were designed too small to be of any practical use. This was mostly down to my lack of familiarity with designing with paracord. The 3D print will be undergoing some fit and finish testing along with shock and abrasion load testing over the next several weeks. Additionally there will be additional holes edited into the part for attaching the "sock" part of the boot that connects the compression ring to the boot itself. This will be a lot clearer as to how it works once I get a chance to get more field testing in. Well, progress continues on the 3D printable Hoof Boot. Made a large amount of use of 3D scanning here to help map the shape and get the dimensions working correctly. Once I get some test trials out I should be able to post instructions on how to edit this file for your individual horse's hoof but I need to clean up a bunch of stuff in the model for this to be able to use variable parameters to automatically update. This design uses paracord to connect the hoof boot to the area just above the hoof in order to keep the boot attached. This is looped through a compression ring that basically stops the cord from binding too tightly and cutting off circulation. Then once the ring is squeezed tight the pressure is pulled downwards to support the self weight of the boot as the hoof is picked up. This boot is meant to be filled with a silicone rubber compound to create a mold of the underside of your horse's hoof to make an in-sole. This keeps out dust, dirt and manure and provides a nice amount of cushion for your horse's hoof as they walk. The underside uses a new all the way across bridge system for greater structural integrity than the first design. The small holes in the bottom of the boot are for the silicone to seep into and form little bulbs in order to keep the silicone seated firmly inside the boot once it hardens. The boots should be printed slightly larger than the hoof so the silicone overflows the underside of the hoof and goes up the front of the hoof wall, thus making a cushion between the hard plastic and the outside layer of the hoof, and helping to lock it in place once put on. I will be doing rigorous testing with this over the next few months so if anyone is interested in getting a set of these made and actually using them for their horses please let me know in the comments so I can assist you. These are meant to be both extremely high quality and quite affordable. If you own your own printer according to my calculations these use about 540 grams of material. Average 3D printing plastic costs are about $20-$30 kg, so the 3D printing + other materials will end up costing you only around $30 a boot if you make them with your own printer. Part of the reason people turn away from removable hoof boots is the cost of owning and getting a pair that fit well. With photogrammetry and 3D printing, you can get custom fit and make it yourself for a drastically reduced price. Making it much easier to invest in your horse. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the project.