Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for strengthening and straightening livestock legs are provided. These methods and apparatus include a use of a splint that has a brace and a securing mechanism. The splint is secured to the forelimb of an animal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to a device to strengthen livestock legs, and, more particularly, a device to correct weak front legs or straighten bent front legs in newborn livestock. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Occasionally livestock, such as calves, are born too big for their front legs to support them. Calves and other livestock may also have front leg disorders or structural defects that make the legs weak and unable to support the animal. 
         [0005]    Some veterinarians treat these leg weaknesses or disorders by casting the legs. This often leads to further complications and does not correct the problem. If the problem cannot be corrected, the animal never develops properly and becomes a financial loss for the farmer or rancher who owns the animal. 
         [0006]    Thus, the need exists for a device to strengthen young livestock&#39;s legs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of this invention is to provide a device to help livestock&#39;s front legs develop. 
         [0008]    A further object of this invention is to provide a device to strengthen livestock&#39;s front legs. 
         [0009]    Another object of this invention is to provide a device to provide a device to correct structural problems in the front legs of livestock. 
         [0010]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims. 
         [0011]    The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To that end, a splint for the foreleg of an animal is provided. The splint includes a brace with a back support, foot base or plate and lip, and a means to secure the brace to the leg. 
         [0012]    Brief Description of the Drawings  FIG. 1  is a view of an animal wearing the splint of the present invention. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a view of one size of the splint of the present invention. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a view of a second size of the splint of the present invention. 
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of the brace of the present invention. 
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a view of the protective padding of the present invention. 
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a view of the placement of the brace of the present invention on an animal&#39;s leg. 
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a view of the brace of the present invention in place on an animal&#39;s leg. 
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a view of the binding of the brace of the present invention to an animal&#39;s leg. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a splint  10  for strengthening and straightening the front legs of livestock. The splint  10  corrects weak front legs. The splint  10  straightens and strengthens the front legs of newborn animals if the animal is too large at birth to be supported by its legs. 
         [0021]    The splint  10  allows the posterior tendons of the ankle and lower leg to lengthen, while also allowing the anterior tendons and ligaments of the ankle and lower leg to shorten. Issues with the length of the tendons tend to arise due to the position of the calf or other animal in utero, and must be corrected once the animal is born. Without intervention, the animal will not develop properly and the farmer or rancher will experience a financial loss from that animal. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the splint  10  includes a brace  11 . The brace  11  has a back  12 , a plate  14 , and a lip  16 . The hoof of the animal stands on the plate  14  and the back  12  fits behind the leg of the animal. The lip  16  curves up around the front of the animal&#39;s hoof, as seen in FIGS.  1  and  6 - 8 . The sides  18 a,  18 b of the back  12  are curved in its cross section to fit snugly against the animal&#39;s leg ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  depicts a short brace  11  of the present invention.  FIG. 3  shows a longer brace  11 . The length of the brace  11  varies depending on whether the ankle alone is to be treated, or if both the leg and the ankle are to be treated. In general, the splint  10  is used to treat the lower forelimb of livestock. The length of the brace  11  used also varies with the size of the animal. The Figures illustrate the splint  10  used on calves, but the invention can be used on any type of livestock, including cows, horses, goats, and sheep. 
         [0024]    The splint  10  may include protective padding  20 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the protective padding  20  that is placed on the animal&#39;s leg prior to placement of the brace  11 . The protective padding  20  acts to protect the animal&#39;s leg from the brace  11 . The padding  20  can be a fabric constraint, such as a tube sock and batting. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  shows the placement of the brace  11  on the animal&#39;s leg, over the protective padding  20 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the brace  11  in place over the protective padding  20 . The splint  10  also includes a means to secure the brace  11  to the animal&#39;s leg.  FIG. 8  illustrates one way to secure the brace  11  against the leg. A binding material  22 , such as tape, straps, or bands secures the brace  11  to the leg. The binding or securing means  22  can be slid over the animal&#39;s foot and the brace  11 , or the means  22  can be wrapped around the foot, ankle, leg and brace  11 . 
         [0026]    The brace  11  can be made from any hard or semi-hard material, such as metal or plastic. 
         [0027]    Depending on the severity of the problem, the splint  10  is secured to the animal&#39;s leg for a period of weeks or months. In general, the length of treatment varies between one and three weeks. 
         [0028]    The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while this is intended for use with livestock, it could also be used for other types of animals, including zoo animals and companion animals.