A hoof care apparatus is comprised of a generally cup-shaped body comprising a cylindrical side wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being sized and shaped for the receipt of and mating engagement with the bottom rim of a cylindrical dispenser containing a liquid hoof care product; and a tongue projecting radially from the outer surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body which serves as a hoof pick. The dispenser can be supported by the apparatus on a surface in an upright position when not in use.

The present invention provides improved systems and methods for flushing out animal footbaths at remote locations which do not have a reliable or high pressure water supply. Embodiments of the flushing systems of the present invention preferably include at least one fluid pressurizing pump and one or more large fluid storage tanks which receive water from a source and place it under pressure for use in the system. Embodiments of the flushing systems of the present invention are capable of automatically: taking in water from a low pressure water source; pumping the water into one or more storage tanks to place it under pressure; preventing backflow of the pressurized water; storing the pressurized water until one or more footbaths requires flushing; performing a flushing operation by opening a master valve or a series of valves in parallel; controlling whether the pressurized water remains untreated by flowing through a flush tube or becomes treated with one or more cleaning or disinfecting compounds by flowing through a mixing pipe in communication with one or more chemical tanks, the pressurized water flowing into and flushing out the one or more fouled footbaths; filling the footbaths with fresh disinfecting solution; refilling and re-pressurizing the one or more storage tanks for the next flushing operation; and blowing out any remaining moisture from the system of pipes to reduce bacterial growth and prevent pipe-bursting in freezing weather.

An improved shock absorbing, light-weight, thermally insulative orthotic pad designed for use in a “pad and boot” assembly for hoofed livestock. The pad is comprised of a mixture of small particles incorporated and encased in elastomeric materials. The particles have a lower density than the elastomeric materials and possess better thermally insulative properties. The pad is preferably elliptically shaped when viewed from the top or bottom, may be wedge-shaped when viewed from the side, and may include a triangular projection designed to contact a horse's frog and/or a front projection designed to cushion an animal's toe. The pad may also have side clips and toe bumper.

A boot assembly and method that simulates, in a static equine animal (stalled or hauled), the natural mechanical action of walking or other gaited exercise. The assembly has a boot, containing a shock absorbing pad that is fitted with one or more pulsing bladders disposed under or inside the shock absorbing pad. Pressuring and relaxing the pulsing bladder in the bottom of the boot rhythmically pushes against the sole and frog and against the toe of the equine hoof in much the same way that the hoof is exercised when the animal is moving. The pulsing action helps stimulate blood flow through the hoof and is beneficial to shod, injured, and transported horses. The assembly may be fitted on one or more hooves, and may be automated to provide timing and sequencing to simulate different gaits of the animal. In some aspects, the assembly is disposed in an ice boot or ice spa boot to also provide cryotherapy as well as simulated exercise.

A handheld pet spray wand may be configured for use in washing or bathing a pet, for example, a dog. The handheld pet spray wand may be configured for attachment to a hose that is further attached to a water supply source. The handheld pet spray wand may be operable to have a number of spray modes to assist in the cleaning of the pet. The handheld pet spray wand may further be configured to provide selective nozzle array sizes designed for both small and large pets. The form factor of the spray wand may further be ergonomically formed to provide a spray pattern conforming to the body of the pet.

Provided is a method for treating animals, such as livestock, by exposing the animals to an airborne suspension of finely divided mineral salts. Treatment is effected upon inspiration of the mineral salts or skin contact with the mineral salts. The animals are accommodated in a treatment chamber with a substantially sealed limited confined volume and has a pressure difference airflow means, a dispensing means for the mineral salts and dessicant(s) in the walls and on the floor of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is a stationary installation or adapted as a trailer to treat animals during a journey or to transport the treatment chamber to the animals location, for example, a zoo or to apiaries.

Provided is a method for treating animals, such as livestock, by exposing the animals to an airborne suspension of finely divided mineral salts. Treatment is effected upon inspiration of the mineral salts or skin contact with the mineral salts. The animals are accommodated in a treatment chamber with a substantially sealed limited confined volume and has a pressure difference airflow means, a dispensing means for the mineral salts and dessicant(s) in the walls and on the floor of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is a stationary installation or adapted as a trailer to treat animals during a journey or to transport the treatment chamber to the animals location, for example, a zoo or to apiaries.

A hoof treatment arrangement arranged to spray a liquid onto hooves of animals while they are stationary in a stall of an animal arrangement includes an identification system configured to identify animals, an automatic detector arrangement configured to determine the hoof status for animals, an automatic spray device, and a control arrangement. The control arrangement is operatively connected to an information database of the animal arrangement, which includes animal specific information for a plurality of animals housed in the animal arrangement; the identification system, to obtain information regarding the identity of each of the plurality of animals; the automatic detector arrangement, to obtain information regarding the hoof status for each of the identified animals; and the automatic spray device, to control the automatic spray device.

A hoof treatment arrangement arranged to spray a liquid onto hooves of animals while they are stationary in a stall of an animal arrangement includes an identification system configured to identify animals, an automatic detector arrangement configured to determine the hoof status for animals, an automatic spray device, and a control arrangement. The control arrangement is operatively connected to an information database of the animal arrangement, which includes animal specific information for a plurality of animals housed in the animal arrangement; the identification system, to obtain information regarding the identity of each of the plurality of animals; the automatic detector arrangement, to obtain information regarding the hoof status for each of the identified animals; and the automatic spray device, to control the automatic spray device.

The present invention provides improved systems and methods for flushing out animal footbaths at remote locations which do not have a reliable or high pressure water supply. Embodiments of the flushing systems of the present invention preferably include at least one fluid pressurizing pump and one or more large fluid storage tanks which receive water from a source and place it under pressure for use in the system. Embodiments of the flushing systems of the present invention are capable of automatically: taking in water from a low pressure water source; pumping the water into one or more storage tanks to place it under pressure; preventing backflow of the pressurized water; storing the pressurized water until one or more footbaths requires flushing; performing a flushing operation by opening a master valve or a series of valves in parallel; controlling whether the pressurized water remains untreated by flowing through a flush tube or becomes treated with one or more cleaning or disinfecting compounds by flowing through a mixing pipe in communication with one or more chemical tanks, the pressurized water flowing into and flushing out the one or more fouled footbaths; filling the footbaths with fresh disinfecting solution; refilling and re-pressurizing the one or more storage tanks for the next flushing operation; and blowing out any remaining moisture from the system of pipes to reduce bacterial growth and prevent pipe-bursting in freezing weather.