What do you get when you cross a hoof with superglue and a neon-colored hoof block? A new, short-term fix for treating mild hoof sores, say hoof trimmers who have used Shoof International’s Walkease hoof block.

“It’s a great, temporary fix for when you want to get her off her claw for a short period of time to let it heal,” says Brandon Beavers, owner of Beavers Hoof Care Service in Lebanon, Kentucky. “I use them anywhere from five to 10 times a week.”

These new hoof blocks are made from ethylene vinyl acetate, otherwise known as EVA foam. The material has been used for years to make everyday objects such as yoga mats, sports equipment padding and sandals.

Because the foam blocks are made from a shock-absorbent material, Beavers says that it takes some strain away from a cow’s leg joints and muscles. “It isn’t as hard or abrasive as wooden blocks.”

The new foam hoof blocks stick for anywhere from one week to 14 days, but they aren’t meant to compete against wooden and hard rubber blocks. “The alternatives (wood blocks) still have a very significant place for serious lameness,” says Peter Griffiths, inventor of the new product. “The Walkease hoof blocks just give an option for an early intervention of treating the hoof.”

With warts and ulcers being the most prominent cases of lameness that Beavers sees, blocks are usually the product of choice for the healing process. But some ulcers are not serious enough to need extended healing time with a wooden block. Plus, a wooden or plastic block can be a relatively expensive treatment given low milk prices, costing on average $20 per cow for a trimmer to apply the block, while the foam block can be applied by anyone for around $5. And with circumstances like that, Beavers says the foam block is perfect for the job.

“You don’t have to worry about it,” says Beavers. “In the week to two-week range, you know the block is going to come off and the animal is going to be fine.”

A hoof trimmer or an on-farm herdsman applies the foam hoof block much like he would a wooden one. He starts by cleaning and leveling the healthy claw of the hoof with a giant nail file, called a surform rasp. Then, he applies the one-step “superglue” to the block, presses the block onto the clean claw and holds it for about 10 seconds. He releases the leg, letting the cow put pressure on the block to complete the application process.

The foam blocks come in three different colors: red, yellow and blue. Each color corresponds with a small, medium or large hoof size. They can be bought in groups of 10 or as a starter kit comprised of 10 foam hoof blocks, the unique superglue, a surform rasp and rubber gloves.

The one-step glue is also a new product because it is simple to use and fast-drying, taking seconds to set, unlike other hoof glues that require a two-step adhesive process. It is called “superglue” because it works like regular superglue that is commonly used today.

“We wanted to find a glue that would dry very quickly, but still give us normal strength,” Griffiths says.

Three years ago, Griffiths decided that there was no alternative for wooden blocks and temporary hoof care. So, after coming up with the idea for the foam block, it took two years of conducting many tests with different materials and glues for the Walkease to be at the point of exceeding the company’s expectations. As for the name?

“We had a bit of a competition in the company amongst the staff, and then the managing director’s wife came up with the ‘Walkease’ idea because it quite well describes how it makes the animal walk – easily,” Griffiths says.

Griffiths also says that the blocks are durable in any type of climate. The blocks have been tested to last the average week time period on all surfaces from grass to concrete. The block absorbs little moisture and has no known negative effects on the environment or handlers. After falling off, they can be thrown out with the trash.

“Because it is economical and easy to fit, they can treat the animal early, rather than leaving it until it’s a more serious situation,” Griffiths says. “So the animal that has been treated early can carry on, producing effectively in the herd.”  PD