BOOT FOR LIVESTOCK

Abstract: A flexible boot (10) for use with livestock comprising a flat sole (13) made of a relatively harder material and a relatively resilient and extensible wall (11) having the shape of a truncated cone. The wall (11) includes a fastening means comprising (a) an outer fastenable surface and (b) one or more flexible non extensible straps (14, 15) attached at one end to the wall (11) and having a reversible hook and eye fastener means capable of forming a reversible attachment along their length to the wall (11) so that the boot (10) may be fitted over a hoof. In use the boot (10) forms a substantially sealed cavity (19) around the hoof and medication may be introduced into the cavity (19).

Description: TITLE Boot for livestock FIELD This invention relates to a type of enclosed foot-bandage or protective boot for use principally in conjunction with animals such as horses, sheep, and cows BACKGROUND Animals such as horses or cows periodically suffer foot disease often initially as a result of unintentional contact with, and perhaps penetration by objects lying on or partially embedded within the ground The existence of a horse shoe is no protection Some forms of damage may result in bruising of the underlying tissues and some may result in the introduction of infection, leading to purulent abscesses, tetanus, or other sequels Subclinical losses in milk production particularly in younger cows in New Zealand is commonly caused by the effects of stone bruises The younger cows are pushed around by bossy lead cows while walking along a stony race to reach the cowshed Furthermore, there are a number of foot conditions which are believed to arise independently of actual contact trauma, including laminitis One cause of laminitis in the horse is poisoning with wood shavings from the black walnut Juglans niger. Footrot in sheep can compnses a seπous cause of lameness and treatment is often by paπng back the affected hoof There is a need to protect trimmed hooves particularly of valuable sheep A number of foot-bandages or enclosed boots exist for use with animals such as horses and cows; either for applying medication to a hoof, or for protecting the hoof from further damage, or to serve both functions together are known, but none appear to to provide a satisfactory solution to the problem One of the most relevant pπor art documents is US 5174482 to Wright, for a pressuπsable foot bandage and pump to reduce laminitis Like many others, eg Glass et al, US 5661958 "Size-adjustable composition horseboot" and Glass, US 4174754 "Adjustable boot-type composition horseshoe" it depends on a metal clasp like those used in ski bindings to tighten up laces to hold the boot in place Oπggi et al EP 0 651 942, teach a hoof-enclosing boot having adaptations for an existing horse shoe which is held in place by resilience plus engagement about the protruding rear parts of the horse shoe Rice US 5600940 "Apparatus for applying lotion to a hoof teaches a conical absorbent bandage, capable of being impregnated with some lotion, which fits over the hoof up to about as far as the coronary band and is held in place with "hook and eye" (Nelcro) fasteners in the form of circumferential straps Nothing goes under the hoof and it is not easy to appreciate how the device would stay in place The problem to be solved could be stated as "how can a durable, retainable enclosed boot for use on a hoofed animal be provided, so that medication can be applied to a diseased hoof or so that the hoof can be protected for a period" DEFINITIONS OBJECT It is an object of this invention to provide an improved foot-bandage or enclosed boot for protection of a hoof of an animal, or at least to provide the pubbc with a useful choice STATEMENT OF INVENTION In a first broad aspect the invention provides a flexible boot for use with livestock, wherein the boot provides means to substantially enclose a hoof of an animal; the boot being made of a substantially resilient matenal; the boot having a flat base made of a relatively harder matenal adapted to bear the weight of the animal; the boot having a relatively resilient and extendible wall having a shape of a truncated cone, the wall being produced upward from an outer peπphery of the base and inwardly, the wall further including fastening means compπsing (a) an outer fastenable surface and (b) one or more flexible non-extendible stπps each attached at one end to the wall and each having a reversible attachment means capable of forming a reversible attachment along their length to the wall (and if necessary on to a second flexible stπp) by means of compatible fastenable surface, so that in use the boot may be fitted over a hoof, and the flexible stπps may then be tensed and attached to the wall over the hoof, thereby in effect converting the resilient wall into a non-extendible flexible wall so that the boot cannot separate from the hoof and forms a substantially sealed cavity around the hoof Preferably the set of one or more flexible non-extendible stπps compπses two major stπps and one minor stπp Preferably the third, minor stπp has at one end an attachment point high at the rear of the wall, and the stπp is oπentated hoπzontally, and the free end is capable of attachment to the wall about the rear of the hoof so that the hoof may be initially held in place Preferably the permanent attachment of the two major stπps is low on the anteπor surface of the boot, and each attached end of each major stπp is attached to the other, each major stπp extends in a direction opposite to that of the other, and the free end of each stπp is oπentated towards the rear of the boot so that the major stπps, if reversibly attached to the wall, are oπentated along the lines of stresses caused within the boot duπng use Preferably the reversible attachment means compπses the use of a hook-and-eye set of complementary mateπals Optionally a hard matenal may be included withm the base of the boot and preferably this inclusion has the shape of a horse shoe, so that if a cow having one infected claw bears weight, the hard matenal transfers a proportion of the weight on to the unaffected claw In a second broad aspect the invention provides a method for use of a boot as described previously in this section for applying a medication to a diseased hoof over a peπod, the method including the steps of first treating, paπng, chilling, opening, and cleaning up as appropπate for the cuπent disease, selecting a boot having suitable 90 dimensions, optionally applying an appropπate medication, placing the boot over the hoof, tightening the minor strap at the rear bu pulling and pressing the minor strap over the wall, then tightening and pressing the major straps firmly about the wall on each side thereby enclosing the hoof in an enclosed boot together with medication In a third broad aspect the invention provides a method for use wherein the method 95 includes the steps of moulding a base from a resilient matenal and moulding a wall on to the base, then of attaching one or more stπps to the wall In a fourth broad aspect this invention provides a substantially enclosed boot for an animal; the boot being made of a resilient matenal; the base being made of a matenal having a lower "give" and adapted to bear the weight of the animal and having a side 100 wall, produced upward from the base and inwardly, the side wall being made of a relatively more resilient matenal and having a shape adapted when in use to form a substantially sealed cavity above the base and around the hoof; the sides further including fastening means Preferably the fastening means compπses at least one strap made of a resilient matenal, 105 the strap being provided with fastening means capable of forming a reversible attachment on to the outer surface of the side wall Preferably the outer surface of the side wall is equipped with complementary fastening means Preferably the position and dimensions of the strap is such that it is capable of forming 110 an adequate attachment about the majoπty of the side wall Preferably the strap compπses a pair of free ends each being capable fo temporary attachment, and a central, permanently attachable portion, preferably the central portion is attached to a rearwards facing portion of the side wall A prefeπed reversible attachment compπses the use of a hook-and-eye set of comple- 115 mentary materials (for example 'Nelcro (TM)) Optionally a hard matenal may be included within the base of the boot and preferably this inclusion has the shape of a horse shoe, so that if a cow having one infected claw bears weight, the hard matenal transfers a proportion of the weight on to the unaffected claw 120 A prefeπed base matenal is a moulded rubber A prefeπed wall matenal is a foam "Neoprene" rubber Optionally the base may be coated with a coating of urethane Optionally the side wall may be moulded to the base in a single operation Optionally the strap or straps may be sewn to the side wall in a selected position 125 In a method for use of a boot or foot bandage according to the invention, the hoof of the animal is first treated and cleaned up as required in order to expose tissues requiring medication as appropnate for the current condition, a boot having suitable dimensions is selected and is placed beside the hoof, then any medication considered appropnate for the cuπent condition is placed inside the boot, then the hoof is lifted 130 into the boot and the straps are done up firmly about the side walls and pressed down so that the boot will stay in place under most circumstances After use, the boot may optionally be washed, disinfected, and dried out for re-use PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 135 The description of the invention to be provided herein is given purely by way of example and is not to be taken in any way as limiting the scope or extent of the invention DRAWINGS 140 Fig 1 A perspective view of a stock boot according to the invention Fig 2 A plan view of the stock boot Fig 3 A front view of the stock boot Fig 4 A side view of the stock boot This invention relates to a substantially enclosed boot - including a sole and an upper - 145 according to this invention The boot is intended to encompass a hoof of an animal, reaching up to the coronet and to protect the hoof while optionally exposing the hoof to some sort of medication, in liquid or semihquid form While most tnals to date have been in relation to race horses, it may be used on other kinds of horse, on cattle, on sheep, deer, goats and pigs, or any other animal having a foot of similar 150 proportions and an " asymmetnc truncated cone" shape Elephants will require a large boot, goats will require a small one For those animals of "lower individual intrinsic value" the device is still relevant in the case of stud animals for example It should be remembered that the boot has significant flexibility and one size fits a range of hoof sizes The boot is made of a resilient matenal throughout, although the base is made of a 155 more wear-resistant matenal having a lower modulus of elasticity and adapted to bear the weight of the animal in use. The base may include a raised wall in order to assist in forming a bond with the side wall matenal The base may include an either totally included or partially exteπoπsed hard weaπng/support device such as a horse shoe The side wall is composed of a softer matenal such as that used for diving wet suits - a 160 "Neoprene foam rubber, preferably with an outer surface capable of acting as the "eyes" of a hook-and-eye set of complementary mateπals (for example 'Nelcro (TM)) The wall is produced upward from the base and inwardly so as to approximately conform with the shape of the hoof; adapted when in use to form a substantially sealed cavity above the base and around the hoof 165 The wall of a non-attached boot is incomplete The act of strapping the boot to the hoof completes the sealing operation The fastening means compnses at least one strap made of a resilient matenal; the strap being provided with surface fastening means capable of forming a reversible attachment on to the outer surface of the side wall 170 We have found that a symmetncal arrangement of straps (see Fig 2 14 and 15) makes the boot more easily attachable to a hoof The straps cause a fairly even pressure to be applied over a whole hoof - whereas pπor art boots tended to apply local pressure which may cause significant pam such as in a hoof being treated for laminitis or an infection 175 Each strap has been given an optimised placement and dimensions such that it is capable of forming an adequate attachment about the majoπty of the side wall Both straps are anchored at a forwards location; a central, permanent, anchor portion (17 - see Figs 1 and 3) Optionally a hard matenal may be included within the base of the boot and preferably 180 this inclusion covers most or all of the sole This has addition uses; for example so that if a cow having one infected claw bears weight on that claw, the hard matenal transfers a proportion of the weight on to the unaffected claw Optionally the base may be coated with a coating of urethane Optionally the side wall may be moulded to the base in a single operation 185 Optionally the strap or straps may be sewn to the side wall in a selected position EXAMPLE 1 See the horse example illustrated in Figs 1 to 4 The boot 10 is made of a bonded sole 13 and upper 11, the upper being made of a "Neoprene" rubber having a 'Nelcro" finish The straps (14, 15) that hold the boot onto the hoof are made of a double sided Nelcro finish The sole 190 may also be moulded as a part of the neoprene upper The flexibility of the Neoprene allows for comfort but is bound firmly in place by the configuration of the Nelcro straps (herein also called the "major stπps") and the tag 16 at the rear of the boot (herein also called the "minor stπp") The bonded sole 13 is preferably made of a wear resistant material (and preferably good enough to last for a couple of days if used as an emergency shoe in pony trekking) whereas 195 the upper, which is designed to conform closely to the hoof when in use, is generally made of a flexible, absorbent matenal The outer surface 11 has the Nelcro finish over substantially the whole surface A typical thickness is 5 mm The inner surface, bounding the cavity 19, has a cloth layer, giving the upper greater resistance to possibly quite significant stresses The circumferential zone 12 above the sole 13 is preferably provided with a smooth coating for 200 better resistance to dirt and for some waterproofing which might dilute any internally added treatment Urethane is a preferred coating for the underneath of the sole and also to cover the zone 12 The Nelcro straps provide for ease of use, in that the boot can easily be attached or removed The position of the straps and rear opening allow for the boot to fit many different animals 205 Tnals have resulted in satisfactory reports in all cases VARIATIONS "Nelcro" is a trade mark for a type of fastener in which one possibly flexible surface carrying hooks can reversibly be attached to a second surface bearing compatible eyes Other types of surface-to-surface fastener, whether based on the hook-and-eye model or 210 on some other form, such as self-amalgamating tape, may be used Similarly the "Neoprene" rubber of the walls may be substituted with other materials. The rubber sole may include metal gripping elements like studs. COMMERCIAL BENEFITS or ADVANTAGES 215 The boot is light and flexible, so can be folded and packed in a saddle roll and carried with a pack for a journey. The boot is easy to apply, holds firmly, and stays on for an extended period. It is reusable. Nelcro straps can be applied with one hand, useful when a person is holding the animal's hoof on his/her knees without assistance from others. 220 The boot is absorbent (the prefeπed material being a spongy rubber) and a dose of medication can be released over a period. One size of boot, being largely resilient, suits a variety of hoof sizes. 225 Although several preferred examples as described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims: 230 I claim: 1. A flexible boot for use with livestock, characterised in that the boot provides means to substantially enclose a hoof of an animal; the boot being made of a substantially resilient material; the boot having a flat base made of a relatively harder material adapted to bear the weight of the animal; the boot having a relatively resilient and 235 extendible wall having a shape of a truncated cone; the wall being produced upward from an outer periphery of the base and inwardly, the wall further including fastening means comprising (a) an outer fastenable surface and (b) one or more flexible non-extendible strips each attached at one end to the wall and each having a reversible attachment means capable of forming a reversible attachment along their 240 length to the wall (and if necessary on to a second flexible strip) by means of compatible fastenable surface, so that in use the boot may be fitted over a hoof, and the flexible strips may then be tensed and attached to the wall over the hoof, thereby in effect converting the resilient wall into a non-extendible flexible wall so that the boot cannot separate from the hoof and forms a substantially sealed cavity 245 around the hoof. 2. A boot as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the set of one or more flexible non-extendible strips comprises two major strips and one minor strip. 3. A boot as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the third, minor strip has at one end an attachment point high at the rear of the wall, and the strip is orientated 250 horizontally, and the free end is capable of attachment to the wall about the rear of the hoof so that the hoof may be initially held in place.. 4. A boot as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the permanent attachment of the two major strips is low on the anterior surface of the boot, and each attached end of each major strip is attached to the other, each major strip extends in a direction 255 opposite to that of the other, and the free end of each strip is orientated towards the rear of the boot so that the major strips, if reversibly attached to the wall, are orientated along the lines of stresses caused within the boot during use. 5. A boot as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that the reversible attachment means comprises the use of a hook-and-eye set of complementary 260 materials. 6. Optionally a hard material may be included within the base of the boot and preferably this inclusion has the shape of a horse shoe, so that if a cow having one infected claw bears weight, the hard material transfers a proportion of the weight on to the unaffected claw. 265 7. A method for use of a boot as claimed in any previous claim for applying a medication to a diseased hoof over a period, the method including the steps of first treating, paring, drilling, opening, and cleaning up as appropriate for the cuπent disease, selecting a boot having suitable dimensions, optionally applying an appropriate medication, placing the boot over the hoof, tightening the minor strap at the 270 rear bu pulling and pressing the minor strap over the wall, then tightening and pressing the major straps firmly about the wall on each side thereby enclosing the hoof in an enclosed boot together with medication. 8. A method for manufacture of a boot as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method includes the steps of moulding a base from a resilient material and 275 moulding a wall on to the base, then of attaching one or more strips to the wall. 280

Inventors: WOOD GARY ADRIAN, WOOD, GARY, ADRIAN
Applicants: WOOD GARY ADRIAN, WOOD, GARY, ADRIAN
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01L3
IPC codes: A01K13, A01L9