A barrel reactor (100) comprises a rotatable barrel (102); a first roller (110) located outside of the barrel (102) and arranged to facilitate rotation of the barrel, wherein the roller (110) comprises at least part of a first electrode; and a second electrode (120). A plasma is formed between the electrodes (110, 120). The second electrode (120) may also comprise a roller and the barrel (102) may be mounted on the rollers (110, 120). The spacing between, or positions of, the electrodes (110, 120) may be adjusted so as to accommodate different barrels (102) and/or to change the plasma distribution within the barrel (102).

Hoof care kits suitable for treating an animal's hoof are disclosed. Methods of making and using hoof care kits are also disclosed.

A horseshoe having a front end and a back end includes a base plate having a first stiffness, an intermediate layer having a second stiffness, the second stiffness being less than the first stiffness, the intermediate plate being disposed adjacent the base plate, a top plate disposed adjacent the intermediate layer and a heel wedge capable of articulating relative to the base plate.

A horseshoe having a front end and a back end includes a base plate having a first stiffness, an intermediate layer having a second stiffness, the second stiffness being less than the first stiffness, the intermediate plate being disposed adjacent the base plate, a top plate disposed adjacent the intermediate layer and a heel wedge capable of articulating relative to the base plate.

The present invention relates to a permanently stable hoof protector for equidae (e.g. horses, donkeys) as a combination product, comprising at least one hoof protector sole and a hoof protector lug system, for attachment to a hoof, in particular for therapeutic purposes. The hoof protector sole according to the invention for a hoof of an equid comprises at least one base plate made of a thermoplastic polymer (TP), wherein the TP has a hardness of at least 35 Shore(A) and the base plate comprises a top side and a bottom side, and wherein the bottom side of the base plate substantially reproduces the shape of the ground contact area of the hoof, whereby a hoof protector sole is provided which is light, chemically and mechanically resilient and shock-absorbing and thus adapted to the impulse forces of the horse's run. A quick, simple and non-invasive attachment and/or replacement of the hoof protector without the need for nailing to the hoof is solved in the method according to the invention for its attachment, wherein the invention comprises an economical method for manufacturing the combination product by means of thermoplastic master molding methods, in particular by means of injection molding methods.

The present invention relates to a permanently stable hoof protector for equidae (e.g. horses, donkeys) as a combination product, comprising at least one hoof protector sole and a hoof protector lug system, for attachment to a hoof, in particular for therapeutic purposes. The hoof protector sole according to the invention for a hoof of an equid comprises at least one base plate made of a thermoplastic polymer (TP), wherein the TP has a hardness of at least 35 Shore(A) and the base plate comprises a top side and a bottom side, and wherein the bottom side of the base plate substantially reproduces the shape of the ground contact area of the hoof, whereby a hoof protector sole is provided which is light, chemically and mechanically resilient and shock-absorbing and thus adapted to the impulse forces of the horse's run. A quick, simple and non-invasive attachment and/or replacement of the hoof protector without the need for nailing to the hoof is solved in the method according to the invention for its attachment, wherein the invention comprises an economical method for manufacturing the combination product by means of thermoplastic master molding methods, in particular by means of injection molding methods.

Disclosed is a method for producing a horseshoe, wherein the following steps are carried out: a) at least partially viewing the hoof (16) to be shod in order to determine the required measurements for producing a shoe that fits the hoof, b) processing the measurements in order to deduce a provisional shape of the horseshoe, c) recording definitive parameters of the horseshoe, and d) producing the horseshoe on the basis of the definitive parameters. Before step b), the potential existence of at least one area of inflammation and/or at least one area of reduced blood circulation of the foot of the horse, of which the hoof is to receive the shoe, is determined by an infrared detector (17), and in step b), the existence of at least one such area is taken into account in order to determine the provisional shape and/or the structure of the horseshoe.

A horseshoe with clips, blister member for a clip, and a method of applying a shoe to a horse's hoof. Using a blister member over each of a pair of upward extending clips attached to the outer side of a horseshoe and attaching the blister member to the shoe and the horse's hoof, adhesive is inserted into the blister to adhere each clip to the hoof wall thereby retaining the horseshoe on a horse's hoof.

A horseshoe with clips, blister member for a clip, and a method of applying a shoe to a horse's hoof. Using a blister member over each of a pair of upward extending clips attached to the outer side of a horseshoe and attaching the blister member to the shoe and the horse's hoof, adhesive is inserted into the blister to adhere each clip to the hoof wall thereby retaining the horseshoe on a horse's hoof.

A ligament support for hooves, mountable on a hoof and in the mounted position effective for backing up the suspensory ligament between the hoof and the fetlock, comprising an elastic element the length of which is adapted to run via the rear of the pastern of the hoof, from an anchor point situated on the inside of the hoof to an anchor point situated on the outside of the hoof, and which, in an area located to the rear of the pastern, is coupled to an elastic cuff mountable around the leg.