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Walkease is a hoof repair system created as an early-intervention hoof claw prosthetic. It is not intended to replace other conventional claw shoes currently on the market but to provide lower cost and faster treatment for developing hoof injuries.
The Walkease block is made from flexible EVA material that is soothing for the cow to walk on. The greatest advantage of the Walkease is its speed and ease of application.
Features of Walkease:
The Starter Kit comprises: 10 Walkease blocks, a tube of special Walkease superglue, a Walkease rasp and 10 pairs of latex gloves, all packed in a useful resealable plastic container.
For further use extra 10-packs of blocks and extra glue are available.
A practical first-purchase would be the Mixed Sizes Starter Kit. This has blocks as follows: 3 x small, 3 x medium and 4 x large. This will allow the user to determine the preferred block size for their own herd use.
Walkease blocks can be used either way up, so suit both left and right claws. The block should stay on from 7-20 days, which is generally long enough for the injured claw to have made a recovery.
A ‘Walkease’ rasp is supplied in the Starter Kit so the user will have a tool for final correct preparation of the hoof before application of the Walkease block. The purpose of the rasp is to flatten any humps and hollows in the hoof left by the trimming job. The rasp supplied is designed for not more than about 20 hoof preparations. For basic hoof preparation regular hoof trimming tools should be used.
Note: Any rasp must not have aggressive teeth which will leave a grooved surface. The rasp must be clean, as any surface contamination left may cause the bond to fail.
Although a grinding disc is fine for hoof preparation, it is better to use a flat rasp for the final surface. This is because a disc can often leave grooves and humps and hollows. Some grinders use rough chips for their cutting action which can leave the surface rough. The best surface for attaching a Walkease block is very flat and very smooth. Remember the Walkease glue is only paper thin so will not attach in any hollows left by a grinding disc. Therefore, if a grinding disc is to be used for the final surface, it should be the type that uses sharp blades to cut the surface smoothly and it should be used very carefully.
The answer is to create as much flat area as you can on the sole. This is best done with a flat rasp. The Walkease block is then glued and pressed on the hoof as normal. Even in cases where the bond covers only 50% (or less) of the block, the block will stay on remarkably well. Remember – Walkease glue has no gap filling properties.
The hoof should not be dried at all. The hoof’s natural moisture content of around 30% is perfect for activating the Walkease glue. Removing this moisture can adversely affect the performance of the glue. Following final hoof preparation with the Walkease hoof rasp, the hoof should not have anything touch it until the glued block is applied.
Walkease blocks can generally be attached safely to claws that are slightly damaged, although we would not recommend attaching over substantial abscesses or bruises. The Walkease glue is very thin so does not create any pressure points or fill any cavities. It is also safe to attach to flesh areas. In fact, cyanoacrylate glues are commonly used in human surgery for attaching to flesh or skin.
Walkease blocks are supplied in four colour-coded sizes. First preference is to use the correct size block for the hoof being treated, so in almost all cases you should find one that fits. However, the block may need to be trimmed perhaps when the hoof is an unusual shape. If this is required, follow these guidelines:
A Walkease block can be cleaned with hot-detergent water, and then dried and kept clean until required.
No, this is not recommended.
If the block application has been done correctly, the blocks will handle the slats and gaps in floors. Because of their soft, flexible design Walkease don’t get jammed or ‘popped’ off like other blocks.
If the Walkease glue is within its effective life (see section on storing glue), and the hoof was prepared as per the instructions for ‘hoof preparation’, then the blocks should not wear off for at least 10 to 14 days, even under very difficult conditions.
If a block comes off and can be recovered, examine it, as it can give a clue as to what is causing any failure. The parts of the block that were attached to the hoof will be seen to have ripped the foam. The parts that have not attached will likely show contamination or areas where the glue has not been in good contact with the hoof. Read through the instructions and it may be apparent that a step was missed or perhaps not followed fully.
Another idea is to try applying blocks to non-injured claws until you have solved the loss problem using other systems to block the injured claws. If the problem persists you should contact us, as we can offer technical advice.
There is no need to remove the block at any point. Unlike other types of shoes or hoof-blocks, it is not necessary to remove the Walkease block. Over its life, the Walkease block gradually compresses and thins. The Walkease glue is very thin and causes no harm to the hoof when the block wears off.
Our preferred crush is a ‘stand-up’ type where each hoof can be put down for full weight bearing as soon as it is blocked. But if you do use a tilt-table crush, please be mindful of the following:
As explained in the section about glue, the Walkease glue is activated by moisture. If the humidity is very low (as in freezing or desert conditions) then it may be necessary to add moisture to the glue by breathing closely on the glued block a few times. But in ‘normal’ temperate zone weather conditions, no extra moisture should be required.
The Walkease system works perfectly well, even in light rain showers. Moisture on the hoof does not negatively affect the success of the bond. However, contamination of either surface is a different matter – both the hoof sole and the block must be kept perfectly clean. The plastic cover on the block should not be removed until the block is ready to be glued.
It is common for lame cows to be ‘down at the heel’ causing the toes to become over-grown. The Wedgie block causes the weight of the cow to move forward off the heel and more onto the toe. This can be beneficial for recovery.
Walkease is a hoof repair system created as an early-intervention hoof claw prosthetic. It is not intended to replace other conventional claw shoes currently on the market but to provide lower cost and faster treatment for developing hoof injuries.
The Walkease block is made from flexible EVA material that is soothing for the cow to walk on. The greatest advantage of the Walkease is its speed and ease of application.
Features of Walkease:
The Starter Kit comprises: 10 Walkease blocks, a tube of special Walkease superglue, a Walkease rasp and 10 pairs of latex gloves, all packed in a useful resealable plastic container.
For further use extra 10-packs of blocks and extra glue are available.
A practical first-purchase would be the Mixed Sizes Starter Kit. This has blocks as follows: 3 x small, 3 x medium and 4 x large. This will allow the user to determine the preferred block size for their own herd use.
Walkease blocks can be used either way up, so suit both left and right claws. The block should stay on from 7-20 days, which is generally long enough for the injured claw to have made a recovery.
A ‘Walkease’ rasp is supplied in the Starter Kit so the user will have a tool for final correct preparation of the hoof before application of the Walkease block. The purpose of the rasp is to flatten any humps and hollows in the hoof left by the trimming job. The rasp supplied is designed for not more than about 20 hoof preparations. For basic hoof preparation regular hoof trimming tools should be used.
Note: Any rasp must not have aggressive teeth which will leave a grooved surface. The rasp must be clean, as any surface contamination left may cause the bond to fail.
Although a grinding disc is fine for hoof preparation, it is better to use a flat rasp for the final surface. This is because a disc can often leave grooves and humps and hollows. Some grinders use rough chips for their cutting action which can leave the surface rough. The best surface for attaching a Walkease block is very flat and very smooth. Remember the Walkease glue is only paper thin so will not attach in any hollows left by a grinding disc. Therefore, if a grinding disc is to be used for the final surface, it should be the type that uses sharp blades to cut the surface smoothly and it should be used very carefully.
The answer is to create as much flat area as you can on the sole. This is best done with a flat rasp. The Walkease block is then glued and pressed on the hoof as normal. Even in cases where the bond covers only 50% (or less) of the block, the block will stay on remarkably well. Remember – Walkease glue has no gap filling properties.
The hoof should not be dried at all. The hoof’s natural moisture content of around 30% is perfect for activating the Walkease glue. Removing this moisture can adversely affect the performance of the glue. Following final hoof preparation with the Walkease hoof rasp, the hoof should not have anything touch it until the glued block is applied.
Walkease blocks can generally be attached safely to claws that are slightly damaged, although we would not recommend attaching over substantial abscesses or bruises. The Walkease glue is very thin so does not create any pressure points or fill any cavities. It is also safe to attach to flesh areas. In fact, cyanoacrylate glues are commonly used in human surgery for attaching to flesh or skin.
Walkease blocks are supplied in four colour-coded sizes. First preference is to use the correct size block for the hoof being treated, so in almost all cases you should find one that fits. However, the block may need to be trimmed perhaps when the hoof is an unusual shape. If this is required, follow these guidelines:
A Walkease block can be cleaned with hot-detergent water, and then dried and kept clean until required.
No, this is not recommended.
If the block application has been done correctly, the blocks will handle the slats and gaps in floors. Because of their soft, flexible design Walkease don’t get jammed or ‘popped’ off like other blocks.
If the Walkease glue is within its effective life (see section on storing glue), and the hoof was prepared as per the instructions for ‘hoof preparation’, then the blocks should not wear off for at least 10 to 14 days, even under very difficult conditions.
If a block comes off and can be recovered, examine it, as it can give a clue as to what is causing any failure. The parts of the block that were attached to the hoof will be seen to have ripped the foam. The parts that have not attached will likely show contamination or areas where the glue has not been in good contact with the hoof. Read through the instructions and it may be apparent that a step was missed or perhaps not followed fully.
Another idea is to try applying blocks to non-injured claws until you have solved the loss problem using other systems to block the injured claws. If the problem persists you should contact us, as we can offer technical advice.
There is no need to remove the block at any point. Unlike other types of shoes or hoof-blocks, it is not necessary to remove the Walkease block. Over its life, the Walkease block gradually compresses and thins. The Walkease glue is very thin and causes no harm to the hoof when the block wears off.
Our preferred crush is a ‘stand-up’ type where each hoof can be put down for full weight bearing as soon as it is blocked. But if you do use a tilt-table crush, please be mindful of the following:
As explained in the section about glue, the Walkease glue is activated by moisture. If the humidity is very low (as in freezing or desert conditions) then it may be necessary to add moisture to the glue by breathing closely on the glued block a few times. But in ‘normal’ temperate zone weather conditions, no extra moisture should be required.
The Walkease system works perfectly well, even in light rain showers. Moisture on the hoof does not negatively affect the success of the bond. However, contamination of either surface is a different matter – both the hoof sole and the block must be kept perfectly clean. The plastic cover on the block should not be removed until the block is ready to be glued.
It is common for lame cows to be ‘down at the heel’ causing the toes to become over-grown. The Wedgie block causes the weight of the cow to move forward off the heel and more onto the toe. This can be beneficial for recovery.
