A hoof block is provided that joins with a livestock hoof via an adhesive. The block can include a body bounded by an interior edge and a curvilinear exterior edge approximating an outer edge of the hoof and multiple shearing polygonal apertures extending through the body. Each of the shearing apertures can have a pointed end and can lay along a reference line that can be disposed at an angle, for example, 30-60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge. The apertures can be joined with bridges that shear through the body when the hoof block becomes removed from the hoof and encounters a pump impeller in a livestock facility. The block can break into pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller, and yet can support the standing and walking loads of the livestock while on the hoof. A related method of use is provided.

A hoof block is provided that joins with a livestock hoof via an adhesive. The block can include a body bounded by an interior edge and a curvilinear exterior edge approximating an outer edge of the hoof and multiple shearing polygonal apertures extending through the body. Each of the shearing apertures can have a pointed end and can lay along a reference line that can be disposed at an angle, for example, 30-60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge. The apertures can be joined with bridges that shear through the body when the hoof block becomes removed from the hoof and encounters a pump impeller in a livestock facility. The block can break into pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller, and yet can support the standing and walking loads of the livestock while on the hoof. A related method of use is provided.

A hoof block is provided that joins with a livestock hoof via an adhesive. The block can include a body bounded by an interior edge and a curvilinear exterior edge approximating an outer edge of the hoof and multiple shearing polygonal apertures extending through the body. Each of the shearing apertures can have a pointed end and can lay along a reference line that can be disposed at an angle, for example, 30-60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge. The apertures can be joined with bridges that shear through the body when the hoof block becomes removed from the hoof and encounters a pump impeller in a livestock facility. The block can break into pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller, and yet can support the standing and walking loads of the livestock while on the hoof. A related method of use is provided.

A hoof block is provided that joins with a livestock hoof via an adhesive. The block can include a body bounded by an interior edge and a curvilinear exterior edge approximating an outer edge of the hoof and multiple shearing polygonal apertures extending through the body. Each of the shearing apertures can have a pointed end and can lay along a reference line that can be disposed at an angle, for example, 30-60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge. The apertures can be joined with bridges that shear through the body when the hoof block becomes removed from the hoof and encounters a pump impeller in a livestock facility. The block can break into pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller, and yet can support the standing and walking loads of the livestock while on the hoof. A related method of use is provided.

The invention relates to an animal shoe (1), in particular an orthopedic shoe for animal feet (2) for the relief of lame even-toed ungulates (3), as well as to a shoe base (11) and to a kit for such an animal shoe (1). In order to relieve the injured region of lame animals, such as even-toed ungulates, inexpensively and safely, quickly and easily even by inexperienced staff, the animal shoe (1) according to the invention comprises a shoe base (11) having an outsole (13) and an insole (14) that is disposed opposite to the outsole (13), and a fastening shaft (12) which can be customized accurately to the animal foot (2) and for affixing to the animal foot (2). The shoe base (11) according to the invention comprises an outsole (13) which is formed from closed-cell foam (18) and an insole (14) which is disposed opposite to the outsole (13). The kit according to the invention comprises the shoe base (11) according to the invention and a fastening shaft (12) which can be customized accurately to the animal foot (2) and comprises a fastening portion (15) for affixing to the animal foot (2) and an attachment region (16) for the connection to the shoe base (11).

The invention relates to an animal shoe (1), in particular an orthopedic shoe for animal feet (2) for the relief of lame even-toed ungulates (3), as well as to a shoe base (11) and to a kit for such an animal shoe (1). In order to relieve the injured region of lame animals, such as even-toed ungulates, inexpensively and safely, quickly and easily even by inexperienced staff, the animal shoe (1) according to the invention comprises a shoe base (11) having an outsole (13) and an insole (14) that is disposed opposite to the outsole (13), and a fastening shaft (12) which can be customized accurately to the animal foot (2) and for affixing to the animal foot (2). The shoe base (11) according to the invention comprises an outsole (13) which is formed from closed-cell foam (18) and an insole (14) which is disposed opposite to the outsole (13). The kit according to the invention comprises the shoe base (11) according to the invention and a fastening shaft (12) which can be customized accurately to the animal foot (2) and comprises a fastening portion (15) for affixing to the animal foot (2) and an attachment region (16) for the connection to the shoe base (11).

A therapeutic shoe for cloven-hooved lactating animals protects a diseased or injured hoof from the external environment to promote healing. The shoe is notionally divided into four parts: a sole portion for supporting the undersides of the medial and lateral claws; a vamp portion connected to the sole portion for at least partially enveloping the hoof wall between its toe, heel and coronary band; a quarter portion connected to the vamp portion for at least partially enveloping the front and lateral pastern sections; and a heel portion connected to both the vamp and quarter portions for at least partially enveloping the heel and the area beneath the dew claws. The material of the shoe at the heel portion is relatively more deformable than the material of the shoe at the sole, vamp or quarter portions thus avoiding the application of excess pressure to this sensitive area of the hoof anatomy.

A therapeutic shoe for cloven-hooved lactating animals protects a diseased or injured hoof from the external environment to promote healing. The shoe is notionally divided into four parts: a sole portion for supporting the undersides of the medial and lateral claws; a vamp portion connected to the sole portion for at least partially enveloping the hoof wall between its toe, heel and coronary band; a quarter portion connected to the vamp portion for at least partially enveloping the front and lateral pastern sections; and a heel portion connected to both the vamp and quarter portions for at least partially enveloping the heel and the area beneath the dew claws. The material of the shoe at the heel portion is relatively more deformable than the material of the shoe at the sole, vamp or quarter portions thus avoiding the application of excess pressure to this sensitive area of the hoof anatomy.

A method of treating a hoof of an ungulate animal. The method comprises coating one or both of (i) at least a portion of a bottom surface of the hoof or (ii) at least a portion of a block surface with a curable polymer and allowing the polymer to cure for a period of time. The polymer is cured within 60 seconds or less of the coating and the cured polymer has a Shore D hardness of about 10 to about 50. The curable polymer is provided as a two component system. The first component is a reaction product of (a) comprises 4-4-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate, castor oil, isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane, and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and wherein (b) comprises dicyclohexylmethane-4,4-diisocyanate, polyether polyol, 4,4-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate (MDI), and triethoxy(3-isocyanatopropyle)silane. The second component comprises polyoxypropylene oxide ether polyol, diol (2000 MW), polyxoypropylene oxide ether polyol, triol (450 MW), tetrahydroxypropylethylendiamine, metaxylenediamine, and organobismuth catalyst.

A device (10) for elevating the injured claw of a cloven hooted animal, particularly but not exclusively a bovine animal, is described. The device comprises means (12) lor receiving the claw of a cloven hoofed animal and means (16) for retaining a hoof block (20).