The tyre and footwear industries are the largest users of natural rubber. The majority of tyres in the market today has a limited life span and poses a challenge for ecologically-sound disposal at the end of the life span. The main characteristic of rubber is its property of high elasticity which allows it to undergo large deformations from which almost complete, instantaneous recovery is achieved when the load is removed (Beaty, 1992).
The tyres are made of vulcanized rubber, which is made by adding sulfur and heat to virgin rubber in order to make a tougher, more durable material but notoriously difficult to recycle (Blloshmi and Blloshmi, 2016). Since polymeric materials do not decay easily, disposal of waste polymers is a serious environmental problem. Large amounts of rubbers are used as tyres for airplanes, trucks, cars, two-wheelers, etc. But after the long run when these tyres are not serviceable and discarded, only a few grams or kilograms of rubber (<1%) are abraded out from the tyre. Almost the entire amount of rubber from the worn-out tyres is discarded, which again needs a very long time for natural degradation due to the cross-linked structure of rubbers and the presence of stabilizers and other additives. This poses two major problems: the wastage of valuable rubber and the disposal of waste tyres leading to environmental pollution
(Basudam et al., 2000). Rubber cannot be softened or remolded by reheating unlike other types of thermoplastics polymer. Improper disposal of used tyres poses negative environmental impacts and it is also a waste of valuable materials and energy. Although there is scope to make good use of used tyres, it is rarely practiced.
The hoof of animals is considered as one of the most important locomotory body parts for supporting weight and for movement. The dairy animals are exposed to many physiological (internal) and environmental (external) insults affecting the structure and functions of the hoof. These include infectious, toxic and metabolic factors. All these must be considered when addressing the problem of lameness.
Lameness is one of the greatest economic concerns of the present dairy industry and its major ill-effects include pain, distress, loss in production, reduced reproductive performance and an increased risk of culling (O’Callaghan, 2002). It is reported that 60% of the herd may become lame at least once a year (Vermunt, 2004) and about 90-99% of lameness incidents occur due to hoof lesions (Van Amstel and Shearer, 2006). In the present scenario, it is also an important animal welfare issue
(Keyserlingk et al., 2009). Clinical lameness is comparatively more concerned because of the high rate of culling (Schultz and Gröhn, 1999) and a marked reduction in milk yield
(Green et al., 2002). Lameness is mainly due to hoof lesions arising out of laminitis (inflammation of the laminar structures of the hoof) in dairy animals. Apart from that, the occurrence of lameness may arise due to improper shoeing done by using nails.
The use of an orthopedic block applied to the healthy claw of a lame foot, judicious use of bandage or wrap, careful selection of parenteral or topical therapy and a treatment protocol to manage pain and promote recovery are key components of responsible management of lameness disorders in cattle.
The primary objective in the treatment of hoof lesions (especially sole ulcers) is to relieve pressure from damaged tissues due to weight-bearing. This can be achieved by the use of a Cowslip applied to the healthy hoof to relieve weight-bearing on a claw of hoof affected by a lesion. Relief from weight-bearing is also advantageous as a means to relieve pain and promote fast recovery. Relief from the pressure due to weight-bearing can be achieved by the use of a nail-free Cowslip applied to the healthy claw to relieve weight-bearing on a claw affected by a claw lesion (Pyman, 1997).
Cowslips are orthopedic shoes used for the treatment of lameness in cattle. They have a unique non-slip raised lattice sole that is of sufficient height to raise the diseased digit off the ground. Once applied to the healthy claw with the fast curing acrylic resin included in the kit, pain is alleviated, the cow’s mobility improves, weight is gained and milk yield increases. The Cowslips available presently in the market are manufactured using 100% recycled PVC.
The primary requirement for the preparation of the Cowslip is the morphometrical data of the hoof of dairy animals. However, the information on biometrical details of hoof and its volume in Indian dairy animals is not available. Therefore, it is necessary to document and characterize the biometrical features which eventually help to design Cowslips to protect hooves in dairy animals.
One of commonly available remedy for lameness due to hoof lesions is the application of orthopedic blocks such as Cowslips for adjustment of weight-bearing. Despite advances in the production and use of nail-free boots or Cowslips for horses and cows, the economically viable Cowslips have not been identified yet.
Therefore, the current research work was undertaken to study the morphology of hoof of dairy cows, to design, develop cheaper and eco-friendly Cowslips (nail-free shoes) from rubber tyre wastes and then to evaluate retention period of the Cowslips applied on the hoof.