DALMAR’S UNIQUE TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES :

Dalmar is a unique company in bringing together expertise from the world’s leading veterinary and engineering institutions for the specific purpose of preventing and treating tendon and suspensory ligament injury in horses. Dalmar has applied the benefits of the latest materials technology transferred from the Formula One and Aerospace industries to create the world’s best injury prevention boots for Racehorses, Event Horses and Showjumpers.



Dalmar’s history originates in the veterinary treatment of tendon and suspensory ligament injury in competition horses. With their Carbon Fibre shields they give the best possible protection against tendon injury in the event of the severest of overreach strikes and from any hard knocks to the canon bone and fetlock joint which could be experienced during training, racing or during a cross-country or showjumping round. They are also unique in their ability to cool the horse’s tendons while it gallops.


As with all Dalmar boots they are extremely comfortable, lightweight and keep the flexor tendons cool and legs dry under the most strenuous of conditions. This now means horses can have the best injury protection while achieving maximum acceleration, speed and stamina during competition.

1. LIGHTWEIGHT

Quite simply the less weight on the leg of a racehorse or an eventer the faster it can go. At a high-speed gallop the horse takes one stride about every half second. This means that each of the horse’s legs must accelerate from 0 to 80 miles per hour every half a second as it passes the horse’s body. This is why it is vital to keep the weight on the leg to a minimum. In fact weight on the leg slows a horse down significantly more than weight on it’s back.

Because of the advanced materials used to manufacture Dalmar boots they weigh less than any other equine boots on the market while still providing maximum protection. The Dalmar Racing boot for example weighs only 70 grammes, the weight of a small egg. As well as lightness, which enables GREATER ACCELERATION AND SPEED, they provide the best possible injury protection, have very high durability and will not absorb moisture during work.

Dalmar Limited holds UK, USPTO and EPO Patents on the following features:

2. AIRCOOLING

Recent research shows that heat build up is a significant factor in causing the onset of injury to the Flexor Tendons and Suspensory Ligaments.

Conventional boots and bandages insulate the horse’s leg and prevent heat escaping. The Dalmar patented cooling system uses the high-speed cold air passing the horse’s leg to flow through the outer surface of the boot, to circulate and cool the Tendons WHILE the horse gallops. Conventionally horse trainers have been limited to cooling the horse’s legs after galloping using cold treatments such as hosing or ice packs while standing still. This has been the best option available to trainers but is really a damage limitation exercise to minimise the injury that could already have occurred during exercise. Dalmar offer the first and only boots capable of significant temperature reduction in the competition horse’s legs DURING exercise.

 

  

3. CARBON FIBRE STRIKE PROTECTION

A severe overreach strike is like the blow of an axe directly into a horse’s tendons. Conventional Boots and Bandages are ineffective at properly protecting a horse from such severe strike.This is because the materials from which they are made- leather, toughened plastic or even fabric are too soft to withstand the force of a severe strike. Given the actual forces involved in an overreach, these materials just cannot cope and bend under the force. Vets sometimes see horses with, not just a minor injury but a complete rupture of a tendon having been wearing a leather, plastic or fabric leg protection boot that deformed as it was struck.

This is why Dalmar uses carbon fibre, the strongest composite material available, to shield the tendons from the heaviest strike impacts. In the event of such a strike the force of the impact is distributed over the entire length of the boot and immediately deflected away from the horse’s Flexor Tendons and Suspensory Ligament. The carbon fibre is carefully located only where it is needed so allowing complete safety and total freedom of movement of the horse.

 

Left:
Carbon Fibre is typically used in applications where a high-strength to low-weight ratio is needed.


4. INSTANT WRAP FASTENER

The one-piece instant wrap fastener ensures a very secure fit and even pressure on the horse’s leg. It overcomes the problems associated with restricted blood and lymph flow caused by the use of bandages or multi strap boots. It also enables the boots to be put on and taken of instantly – an important feature for the busy yard.