Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.

Abstract: A rope connecting device has a breakaway feature enabling a user to practice roping and to retrieve the rope without having to walk to a lassoed object. The device includes a stem with a first hook formed at one end, and a second hook formed at the other end. The hooks each have a small gap separating respective free ends of the hooks from the stem. During use, a portion of the rope is passed through the first hook, and another portion of the rope is passed the through the second hook. With sufficient force applied to the rope, the rope breaks free from the device. in which one of the hooks opens allowing the rope to separate from the device, thereby releasing the rope from the lassoed object. The device can be reused by reattaching the portion of the rope to the hook that was released.

Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.

Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: A rope connecting device and method are provided especially for use in calf roping as a rope breakaway. The device includes a stem with a first hook formed at one end, and a second hook formed at the other end. The hooks each have a small gap separating respective free ends of the hooks from the stem. During use, a portion of the rope is passed through the first hook, and another portion of the rope is passed the through the second hook. With sufficient force applied to the rope, the force causes one of the hooks to open to a degree allowing the rope to pass through, thereby releasing the rope from an object that was lassoed. The device remains attached to the rope at the other hook. The rope is configured for the next use by reattaching the portion of the rope to the hook that was released.

Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.

Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.