SIMULATION OF PRESSURE BY MEANS OF A FINITE-ELEMENT COMPUTER-MODEL OFTHE EQUINE HOOF CAPSULE

A finite element model of the equine hoof capsule was constructed on a UNIX work station using a SDRC program. The modulus of elasticity was determined with 700 N/mm(2) for the outer layer of the hoot wall, 800 N/mm(2) for the middle layer and 600 N/mm(2) for the Innermost layer, 300 N/mm(2) for the sole, 70 N/mm(2) for the frog and 10 N/mm(2) for the heel-bulbs. Stresses and deformations were calculated at a total s tress of 30.730 N on one ''unshod'' model and one model ''with an iron horse shoe''. Tension can be found equally in both models in the dist al part of the dorsal wail, in the lateral wall and the quarters all t he way from proximal to distal and in the innermost layer of the hoof wail, where there is contact with the coffin bone. Tension values are one third higher in the ''shod'' model than in the ''unshod'' because of the ''hoof nails''. The kind of deformations in both models equals concerning the proximal hoof wall, the lateral wall and the quarters, although its absolute values are one third higher in the ''unshod'' mo del. In the ''unshod'' model the lowering of the sole cannot be calcul ated.