The present invention relates to a livestock management system. The system includes a stockyard. A suspended herder is provided for herding livestock in the stockyard. Advantageously, the herder facilitates the removal of people from within confined spaces where animals are present within the stockyards, whilst still enabling controlled stock movements to be safely, calmly, and efficiently performed.

The present invention relates to a livestock management system. The system includes a stockyard. A suspended herder is provided for herding livestock in the stockyard. Advantageously, the herder facilitates the removal of people from within confined spaces where animals are present within the stockyards, whilst still enabling controlled stock movements to be safely, calmly, and efficiently performed.

A device for monitoring the status of a livestock facility is disclosed, wherein the status of the livestock facility includes health and/or welfare of livestock animals inside the livestock facility, and management status of various devices installed in the facility. The device includes a housing unit, one or more temperature sensors configured to measure the air temperature in the livestock facility, one or more relative humidity sensors configured to monitor the relative humidity of the air in the livestock facility, one or more light sensors configured to measure the color and/or the light intensity inside the livestock facility to distinguish the real or artificially imposed day and night regimes in the livestock facility, one or more light emitting means configured to indicate the status of the device and/or abnormalities related to livestock animals inside the livestock facility, one or more microphones, one or more loudspeakers, a communication module comprising one or more wireless communication means to interact with other devices.

The present invention provides a mechanical apparatus that simulates animal movement with a high degree of accuracy. In at least some embodiments, the mechanical apparatus uses interlinked multiple four-bar linkages to provide nonlinear compound movement. Multiple four-bar linkages may be progressively linked to other four-bar linkages to produce such compound movement. The current invention improves the realism of the animal mannequin motion by using. A bovine mannequin, for example, may have multi-joint legs connected through linkages, linkages that drive hopping movement patterns to match real motion patterning of a trajectory of the hooves, timing between tail and hoof motion, spring-damper pivoting of the hoof segments for longer and more realistic ground contact, vertical spring-damper pivot axis for the entire animal mannequin to swing laterally, and a horizontal spring-damper swing axis for the entire animal mannequin to rotate axially, and/or double linkages bi-laterally for better stability, among other features.

A cattle roping training dummy (90) that allows a “header” and a “heeler”' to practice roping the head of the cattle roping training dummy (90), the hind legs (175) of the cattle roping training dummy (90), or a combination of the head and the hind legs (175) is described. The cattle roping training dummy (90) comprises a frame (100), a spring (200), a supporting structure (300) and a base (400). The cattle roping training dummy (90) may further comprise a means to actuate side release lever (500). When the frame (100) is released, the spring (200) gives the frame (100) an initial jerk as the frame (100) and provides rotational motion around the supporting structure (300). This jerking motion mimics a live steer that has been roped on the horns or head and is jerked sideways as the cowboy pulls the steer to the left. The cattle roping training dummy (90) also provides the “heeler” with the opportunity to practice alone. The cattle roping training dummy (90) provides the convenience of: a) quick fold up for easy moving and storing, and b) quick setup.

A bathing apparatus for a pet, comprising a top section comprising walls to hold a pet; a bottom section adapted to support and seat the apparatus on a surface; and a bathing section situated between the top and bottom sections comprising a bathing floor configured for the pet to sit or stand on; wherein the bathing section is adapted to allow bathing water to flow away from the pet. The bathing section may comprise a bathing floor and an outer section adapted to allow water to flow through. The apparatus may be used as a bath or a shower.

Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

The present invention includes a mechanical roping apparatus and method for practicing animal roping, the apparatus comprising: an animal assembly that provides an up and down motion and simulates a hopping motion by the animal; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame wherein the leg members are movable with respect to the frame and simulate a running motion; an actuation assembly to move the leg members from a forward position to a rear position; and one or more indicia that indicates to the user when the leg members are in an optimal position for roping, and then they are not accessible for roping and then the legs are accessible for roping.

A leash for training canines to walk beside a handler. The leash includes a single webbing strap that is folded over to provide a hand loop. The hand loop and/or strap length may be sized via a cord lock. Each of the ends of the webbing strap are folded and affixed into leg loops. The leg loops may be variably sized, and placed over the animal's hock. The leash is mounted to the animal via a slidably engaging bolt snap to a collar or harness.