| abstract |
Apparatus for massaging the legs of a horse, while also providing controllable air cushion support, includes a boot for encasing at least one foot of a horse, the boot including a flexible tube extending therethrough for permitting circulation of a fluid through the boot, the flexible tube including an inlet and an outlet; a supply of water; an inlet conduit which supplies the water from the supply to the inlet of the flexible tube; an outlet conduit which conveys the water from the outlet of the flexible tube back to the supply; a water pump which pumps the water from the supply to the inlet conduit to control the temperature of each foot of the horse; an air pump which simultaneously pumps air from an air conduit to the inlet conduit in mixing relation with the water to such an extent that the air provides a massaging action to each foot of the horse; an air bladder which provides regulated support for the sole of the hoof of each foot in order to aid in healing of the foot during laminitis, the air bladder being positioned within the boot and beneath the sole of the hoof of each foot; and a pressure bulb which inflates the air bladder to a desired pressure. |