Hoof block and related method of use

A hoof block configured to join with a livestock hoof via an adhesive, the hoof block comprising:

• a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the body bounded by a perimeter having an interior edge that transitions to an exterior edge that approximates an outer hoof edge of the livestock hoof;
• and
• a first plurality of shearing apertures extending through the body, each of the first shearing apertures having a first pointed end and an opposing second pointed end, the first plurality of shearing apertures laying along a first reference line that is at a third angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge,
• wherein the first plurality of shearing apertures are joined by a plurality of bridges adjacent at least one of the first pointed end and the second pointed end, the plurality of bridges configured to shear through the body when the hoof block encounters a pump impeller, and so that the hoof block breaks into a plurality of pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller, and
• wherein each of the plurality of bridges are configured to shear through at least one of a thickness thereof and a thickness of the body when the hoof block encounters the pump impeller, such that the first and second pointed ends joined at respective angles at those ends at least one of propagate, enhance, or increase shearing of the plurality of bridges so that the body breaks apart.

A method of making a hoof block, the method comprising:

• forming a body bounded by a perimeter having an interior edge that transitions to at least one exterior edge that approximates an outer hoof edge of a livestock hoof;
• defining a first plurality of shearing apertures in the body, each of the first shearing apertures having a first pointed end and an opposing second pointed end, the first plurality of shearing apertures laying along a first reference line that is at a third angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees inclusive relative to the interior edge;
• producing a plurality of bridges adjacent at least one of the first pointed end and the second pointed end,
• wherein the plurality of bridges are configured to be sheared through and fail when the hoof block encounters a pump impeller, and so that the hoof block breaks into a plurality of pieces that do not substantially impair continued operation of the pump impeller;
• and
• disposing each of the plurality of bridges between respective ones of the first plurality of shearing apertures, with each of the plurality of bridges configured to shear through a thickness thereof and a thickness of the body when the hoof block encounters the pump impeller, such that the first and second pointed ends joined at respective angles at those ends at least one of propagate, enhance, or increase shearing of the plurality of bridges so that the body breaks apart.