A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly comprising one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock comprises a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement comprises a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.

Systems and methods for sorting livestock including a livestock processing station, a computer network system, and a livestock routing mechanism. The livestock processing station confines the individual livestock, allowing individual livestock data to be collected and analyzed. The computer network system includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) for data input at the livestock processing station and a sorting application coupled to the PLC via a computer network, the sorting application for analyzing individual livestock data and assigning livestock to pens.

Livestock head gate assembly configured to be installed as part of a livestock chute for holding an animal, including a head gate frame and a pair of laterally spaced gate panels laterally shiftable relative to each other between a releasing condition and a holding condition. The gate panels cooperatively define a gate opening, with the gate panels permitting the animal to move through the gate opening in the releasing condition and removably engaging a neck of the animal in the holding condition to restrict animal movement through the gate opening. The head gate frame is configured to be pivotally attached to the chute frame at a pivot joint defining a lateral pivot axis such that the head gate is swingable away from the chute frame toward the holding condition to orient the neck along a longitudinal direction and restrict movement of a head of the animal.

Described is a system for milking animals, including cows, having an accommodation space in which the animals can walk around, and several stationary milking stations placed next to each other. Each milking station at a head end thereof includes a neck lock device which can be moved by way of an actuator device between a locked state in which a milking animal in said milking station can be locked at the neck by said neck lock device, and an open state in which a milking animal in said milking station is free to move its head in and/or out of the neck lock device. Also included is an automatic milking system for the automatic milking of milking animals and a control system that is actively connected to the actuator device of each neck lock device.

A system for automated horseshoeing. The system is a three cell concept generally including a tool change area, a gluing area and a modification area. The system generally include a platform for a horse to stand thereon wherein all working components are contained below. The system is configured so that a horse can stand on said platform and the working components move from hoof to hoof thereby allowing the horse to remain in a neutral standing position during the entire shoeing process without having to bend it's ankle. The automated horseshoeing process of the present specification is entirely monitored by a farrier.

A livestock squeeze chute features a side-gate frame delimiting a side-access opening for lateral access to an animal secured in the chute's head gate. An openable/closeable side-gate is movably coupled to the gate frame to enable selective obstruction of a lower area of the side-access opening. An upper barrier is movably coupled to the side-gate for movement into and out of a closed state at least partially obstructing an upper area of said side-access opening. A hinged connection by which said side-gate is both pivotably and removably coupled to said gate frame comprises a set of male stub shafts and a cooperating set of female receptacles, by which said side-gate is pivotally movable at a first elevation, and fully removable when lifted to a greater second elevation. When both are removed from the frame, the barrier is set an angle forming a supportive prop for the gate.

A head gate drive assembly for a livestock chute features a rectangular longitudinal shaft at a first side of the chute, a handle slidable along the shaft and operable to rotate same, and a control arm coupled to the shaft at the front of the chute to operate the head gate. The arm and shaft are directly coupled in a fastener-free removable manner enabling remounting of the arm in a reversed orientation for use at an opposing second side of the chute. Front and rear support assemblies for the shaft are removably mounted at first predefined mounting locations on the first side of the chute, which are mirrored by a second set of predefined mounting locations on the second side of the chute. The front support assembly features bushings of circular outer profile rotatable inside a housing, and of rectangular inner profile conforming to the shaft passing through said housing.

Embodiments include a cat suspension and training apparatus that provides a stress-free environment to train fearful or intolerant cats, designed while considering a cat's unique anatomy. Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods to suspend and train a cat with a cat suspension and training apparatus. In one embodiment, a cat suspension and training apparatus includes at least a raised structure coupled with a sling by suspension structures, with the raised structure comprising a base, a plurality of support legs, height adjustment and outward angle adjustment capability, crossbeams, and a rotatable shelf. The apparatus may have a plurality of configurations, including a receiving configuration, a resting configuration, and a closed configuration. Additional embodiments include the apparatus including limb security straps comprising a metacarpal strap to limit leg mobility of a cat.

Described herein is an animal handling device in the form of a cattle crush with automated headbail capture, back bar operation and positional sensing along with methods of use thereof. The crush and method offer automation for functions that in the art have been largely manual and inherently labour intensive, physical and even potentially dangerous for the operator and/or animal.