Letter: Letters: Maisie's saviour

From JOHN MEE

While Maisie’s new-found confidence is heart warming (In Brief, 7 March),
her saviour, the Cow Walker, contrary to your report, is not without precedent.

‘Wheelchairs’ have been used to lift and support bovine paraplegics
for over 10 years in the US. A wheeled lifting frame utilising either winches
or a hydraulic ram has recently been developed at this research centre.

Currently the most commonly used lifting devices for incapacitated cows
include airbeds, tractor harnesses and hip clamps. A recent Danish invention
simply applies Archimede’s principle to raise and support the cow in a trauma
tank filled with warm water.

John Mee Agriculture and Food Development Authority County Cork, Ireland