Walkease Hoof Treatment Starter Kit for Cattle

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:

• Fast and easy to use.
• Cost effective enough to use on all early cases.
• Specially developed glue and block will bond to hooves almost instantly and last for 7-20 days
• Each block is supplied plastic wrapped to prevent contamination prior to use.

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.

Hoof Preparation

Can I use a hoof rasp?

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.

Can I use a grinding disc to prepare the hoof for the Walkease block?

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.

Can Walkease be used if the good claw has little flat surface area left?

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.

Should I dry the hoof first?

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.

Using Walkease Blocks

Can I use two Walkease blocks on one hoof?

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.

Do I trim the Walkease block to size?

Walkease blocks