Limb protection device

1. A support structure for limiting the extension of an anatomical joint between distal and proximal sections of a limb, comprising:

a proximal bolster, shaped to fit around and be closely juxtaposed to boney anatomy of the proximal section of said limb, and adapted to be releaseably secured to said proximal section of said limb so as to resist being forced past said joint;

a proximal cuff adapted to be releaseably secured to said proximal section of said limb, said proximal cuff being shaped to fit around the limb and be spaced away from the joint by the proximal bolster;

a distal saddle adapted to be releaseably secured to the distal section of said limb, said distal saddle being shaped to fit around the limb and be closely juxtaposed to boney anatomy of the distal section of said joint, so as to resist being forced past said joint;

medial and lateral pivot members, each comprising a proximal rigid member affixed to said proximal bolster and proximal cuff and a distal rigid member affixed to said distal saddle, said proximal and distal rigid members of said medial and lateral pivot members being pivoted to one another by fasteners located at points substantially aligned with the pivot point of the anatomical joint; and

medial and lateral elongated tensile members each having a proximal end secured to the corresponding one of said medial and lateral proximal rigid members and a distal end secured to the corresponding one of said medial and lateral distal rigid members, said distal ends of said elongated tensile members being secured to the corresponding distal rigid members at a point on the distal rigid members opposite the saddle with respect to the point at which said proximal rigid members are pivoted to said distal rigid members, so as to be tightened when the joint is extended and thereby to limit its extension.

2. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein said medial and lateral elongated tensile members are arranged generally parallel to anatomical structure directing tensile forces past said pivot point of said joint.

3. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein said cuff, bolster, and saddle member each comprise an outer shell of a relatively hard material and a liner of a resilient material.

4. The support structure of claim 3 , wherein said cuff and bolster are generally C-shaped and the material of said outer shells thereof are sufficiently flexible to allow said cuff and bolster to be able to spread open to pass over the limb and thereafter be secured in place.

5. The support structure of claim 4 , wherein said cuff and bolster are passed over the proximal section of the limb from the anterior side of the proximal section of the limb and secured thereto by straps passing around the posterior side thereof.

6. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein said medial and lateral elongated tensile members comprise planar members fabricated of rubber, being perforated at either end to receive fasteners securing the ends to said proximal and distal rigid members.

7. The support structure of claim 6 , wherein said medial and lateral elongated tensile members are slit lengthwise perpendicular to the plane of said planar members.

8. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein said support structure is adapted to support the equine fetlock, and wherein said support structure further comprises an articulated protective member affixed thereto to cover the posterior portion of the fetlock, said articulated protective member comprising several cooperatively curved hard members pivoted to one another so as to pivot with respect to one another as the fetlock is flexed and extended.

9. The support structure of claim 8 , wherein said cooperatively curved hard members are secured for pivoting with respect to one another on either side of the fetlock by said fasteners.

10. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein said distal saddle adapted to be releaseably secured to the distal section of said limb comprises a central portion shaped to fit over the anterior surface of the distal section of the limb and affixed on medial and lateral sides thereof to said distal rigid members.

11. The support structure of claim 10 , wherein said central portion of said distal saddle is formed integrally with said distal rigid members.

12. The support structure of claim 10 , wherein said distal saddle is secured to the distal portion of said limb by a strap secured over the posterior portion thereof.

13. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein the ends of said medial and lateral elongated tensile members are secured to said proximal and distal rigid members by fasteners not permitting relative motion of the ends of the elongated tensile members with respect to the corresponding rigid members.

14. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein the ends of said medial and lateral elongated tensile members are secured to said proximal and distal rigid members by fasteners permitting relative motion of the ends of the elongated tensile members with respect to the corresponding rigid members.