Stiffness as a function of moisture content in natural materials: Characterisation of hoof horn samples

Hoof horn, which forms the capsule at the lower part of the legs of many gr azing animals including equids (horses, donkeys and mules), is a composite natural material based on a-keratin; Its function is influenced by the tubu lar and intertubular material and is modulated by the moisture content. The re is a requirement to adopt a standard approach to drying regimes and samp ling protocols in order to make progress in understanding how the biomechan ical properties of hoof horn a re related to its structure. In th is work t he stiffness of donkey hoof has been examined using a three point bending t echnique and the effect of hydration has been investigated. Also the tubule density properties of this hoof horn material are reported. (C) 1998 Kluwe r Academic Publishers.