Abstract: The invention provides a method of growing plants in a mineral wool growth substrate, the method comprising: providing at least one mineral wool growth substrate comprising man-made vitreous fibers bonded with a cured binder composition, and positioning one or more seeds or plants for growth in the growth substrate, and allowing growth of the one or more plants, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises: a) a sugar component, and b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component, wherein the binder composition prior to curing contains at least 42% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.

Abstract: A multi-segmented, soft-bodied, artificial fishing lure or swim bait with a natural profile includes plastic control planes in each body segment to generate a lure that is stable in the water, and demonstrates realistic swimming motions in a range of retrieve speeds and even when allowed to sink. At least one clear, stiff plastic control plane is inserted in each body segment to generate a lifelike swimming motion when the lure is retrieved. Each control plane may be moved within a range of positions to provide realistic motions for specific fishing techniques. The control planes inserted into and sometimes through the lure body are invisible in the water and are adjustable to accommodate a range of water conditions, densities and temperatures. The placement of control planes create the ability to limit unnatural/undesirable movements and expand or accentuate natural and desirable movements in each segment of the body of the lure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dog leash having intelligent lighting to improve safety. In one aspect, the dog leash includes a central cavity holding a retractable leash and an extension sensor to detect when the retractable leash is extended beyond a threshold distance. The dog leash also includes an ambient light sensor to detect a surrounding light intensity. In addition, the dog leash includes a set of lights to automatically illuminate a dog being walked by a walker, a perpendicular area, and/or the walker themselves when the extension sensor detects that a leash is extended beyond the threshold distance when the ambient light sensor detects that a surrounding ambient light is below a threshold value using a processor and a memory of the dog leash.

Abstract: An saddletree with controlled flexing is disclosed using multiple pairs of wave depressions. One group of wave depressions extends from the edge of the tree toward the central channel. Other waves are on the pommel and within the central channel. The pommel wave positioned along the centerline of the tree contains an ellipse and a pair of slots on either side to control flex. The interior of the central channel is scalloped along a portion of the periphery and a recess is cut into the edge of the pommel. An engineered rail and secondary rail are formed into the underside. The underside of the saddletree is covered with bidirectional carbon weave that extends from the underside to the top surface to overlap on a portion of the top surface.

Abstract: Headgear for directing an animal is disclosed. The headgear includes a bit that includes a pair of rings to which reins of the headgear are to attach; a jointed mouthpiece with a connecting portion adjacent each end for connection to a respective one of the rings such that each ring can rotate through the respective connecting portion, and at least one joint between the connecting portions that allows the mouthpiece to articulate between an undeflected position in which the connecting portions have a maximum separation, and deflected positions in which the separation of the connecting portions is less than the maximum; and a mouthpiece support that extends between the rings, and limits the minimum separation of the connecting portions.

Abstract: A multi-segmented, soft-bodied, artificial fishing lure or swim bait with a natural profile includes plastic control planes in each body segment to generate a lure that is stable in the water, and demonstrates realistic swimming motions in a range of retrieve speeds and even when allowed to sink. At least one clear, stiff plastic control plane is inserted in each body segment to generate a lifelike swimming motion when the lure is retrieved. Each control plane may be moved within a range of positions to provide realistic motions for specific fishing techniques. The control planes inserted into and sometimes through the lure body are invisible in the water and are adjustable to accommodate a range of water conditions, densities and temperatures. The placement of control planes create the ability to limit unnatural/undesirable movements and expand or accentuate natural and desirable movements in each segment of the body of the lure.

Abstract: A horseshoe connected to a hoof of a horse for use on different surfaces without removing the horseshoe from the horse. The horseshoe includes an insert removably connected to the horseshoe. The insert may be positioned within a recess located on the bottom surface of the horseshoe. The insert may have a toe grab for providing traction. A related method of inserting a toe grab to a horseshoe without removing the horseshoe from a horse.

Abstract: A collapsible feeder, relating to a pet feeder, includes a top cover, a collapsible barrel body, a discharge port, a base and a food basin. The food basin is disposed at one end of the base, and the collapsible barrel body is disposed at the other end of the base. The top cover is disposed at the top of the collapsible barrel body. A bottom of the collapsible barrel body is higher than a rim of the food basin, and the discharge port forms an angle of 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal line of a bottom of the food basin.

Abstract: A tailset crupper for an animal, such as a horse, may be made from a solid casting without lightening features, such as to produce a heavier, less easily dislodged object, such as may have a lower center of gravity, and a center of gravity located closer to the surface of the animal. The trough of the crupper may be predominantly open from below. The distal end of the crupper may have a large curl the bends on a large angle partially back toward the horse. The crupper may be substantially spoonless. That is, the protrusion at the front end of the crupper may be small, and may by shy of the cushioning on either side.

Abstract: A horseshoe assembly and a method for mounting the horseshoe assembly onto a hoof is disclosed. The horseshoe assembly includes a core and a sole, wherein the sole overlays or encapsulates the core, and the core being mounted directly beneath a surface of a horse hoof. The method including: securing a cover plate over the horse hoof, the cover plate includes a plurality of anchor points distributed across the cover plate; disposing the horseshoe assembly beneath the horse hoof with the core directly contacting the bottom surface of the horse hoof; and utilizing one or more tying elements, securing the horseshoe assembly to the bottom surface of the horse hoof with a binding force which presses one or both of the core and the sole against the bottom surface of the horse hoof.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for growing plants hydroponically. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of containers each having a supply and a drain positioned above the supply. Methods of growing plants hydroponically in individual containers are also provided.

Abstract: A bee vectoring apparatus includes a tray for positioning in the exit path of a beehive. The tray includes a bottom, a bee entrance end, and a bee exit end. The apparatus includes a tray lid positioned above the bottom, with first and second barrier walls extruding downwardly from the lid. A ceiling extends between bottom ends of the first and second barrier walls.

Abstract: A growth substrate for plants including polylactic acid, wherein the polylactic acid is particulate polylactic acid foam. A method for preparing a growth substrate for plants including polylactic acid foam, the method including providing particulate expandable polylactic acid and exposing the particulate expandable polylactic acid to predetermined temperature and pressure conditions to obtain particulate polylactic acid foam.

Abstract: An aquarium filtration system comprises an aquarium; a hollow ornament filtration device disposed adjacent to an inner bottom surface of the aquarium; and an aquarium support, capable of supporting the aquarium atop. The hollow ornament filtration device includes a main portion including a filter therein and a base including a magnetic impeller. In operation, the impeller draws a portion of water through a top opening of the main portion of the hollow ornament filtration device, through the filter, and out of at least one lateral opening of the base. The impeller is magnetically driven by magnets spun by an electric motor disposed in the aquarium support. In an embodiment, the filter is a replaceable filter cartridge including filtration media to provide mechanical and chemical filtration. Advantageously, all of the elements of the filtration system are hidden providing a more aesthetically pleasing experience.

Abstract: A process for making mouthpieces for the bits of horses and draught animals includes the following steps: making the mouthpiece with titanium or titanium alloys through a turning and removal operation, sandblasting with zirconium microspheres, and passivation through oxidation of the surface titanium by means of acid solutions. The mouthpiece obtained with such a process is completely made of titanium or titanium alloys and has a passivated surface, that is, a surface that is better resistant to corrosion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a trailer feeder system may include a trailer. The trailer may transport animals during use. The trailer may include a first container which contains, during use, animal feed. The first container may include a dispensing mechanism for dispensing feed in the first container to a surface adjacent the trailer. The trailer may include a transport ramp. The transport ramp may connect the first container to an opening in a cover. The transport ramp may include a plurality of openings. The trailer may include a second container which functions to contain animal feed. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings may be sized to allow feed of a predetermined size and smaller to be conveyed from the opening to the second container. In some embodiments, the trailer may include a transport mechanism which functions to elevate a bale of hay off of a surface.

Abstract: A trolling teaser including a tubular hull having at least one substantially planar end face. The planar end face is an external face of the hull that is directly impinged upon by water as the teaser is trolled through the water. The tubular hull has a circumference defined by a wall. A plurality of channels is formed in the wall of the tubular hull.

Abstract: A recirculating pet fountain with an upper drinking bowl in water flow recirculation with a lower drinking bowl that includes a step upon which an animal, e.g., cat, can perch while drinking. The upper bowl is suspended above the lower bowl by an arm that provides a graspable handle and conduit through which water is conveyed by a pump upwardly to the upper bowl where the water flows downwardly back into the lower bowl. The fountain preferably includes a water-conveying bridge along which water from the upper bowl flows downwardly toward the lower bowl. The bridge can be an open concave channel along which water drinkable by the perched animal downwardly flows. The lower bowl can have a tubular overflow extending upwardly from water in the lower bowl from which water received from the upper bowl, including via the bridge, overflows into the lower bowl during recirculating fountain operation.

Abstract: A horseshoe for attaching to a horse's hoof using an adhesive, such as glue. In one example, the horseshoe includes an elastomeric body containing a wear material, which improves wear and traction performance of elastomeric shoes. In another example, the elastomeric material may include radiopaque materials to improve visibility of the shoe when x-rays are taken of a horse's hoof or leg. In some aspects, the radiopaque material may be blended with the wear material. Or if the radiopaque material exhibits abrasive/gritty qualities, the radiopaque material may also serve as the wear material.

Abstract: A fish feeder configured to feed a rolled sheet of fish food at a predetermined measured rate into a fish tank. The end of the sheet remains perpendicular to and below the water line during feeding, to minimize the amount of air swallowed by the fish.