Hoofcare and Lameness Magazine -- Mustad ("The Hoofcare People") Fund Permanent Farrier Facility At University Equine Research Center

Metron computer analysis of Strasser-trimmed hoof Images and analysis provided to hoofcare.com by Patrick Reilly

During the first day of the Tufts conference, Dr Strasser trimmed one foot of one of the university's resident donor horses. She watched the horse walk and trot on pavement, then used a hoof knife (only) to trim the left fore. The horse was not seriously lame and was already living a shoeless lifestyle.

The attendees watched on monitors as she pared the foot. Many were expecting a radical remodelling of the hoof, but she simply pared the heels and bars.

It was interesting to note that she didn't use a rasp or nippers, only a knife. She wore a traditional leather farrier's apron and gloves.

Patrick Reilly, consulting farrier to the Rochester Equine Clinic, was on hand with his digital camera and followed Metron protocol to record the foot. This includes placing the camera flat on the ground parallel to the hoof, and in shooting the sole in a parallel position.

Patrick then loaded the images in his computer and analyzed the foot within the Metron parameters.

While many of the measurements provided by Metron are irrelevant for this purpose, the analysis did plot the hoof angle and hairline angle, both of which are key criteria to Strasser. Because the horse had slight flares in the quarters, the hairline had irregularities.

On the following day, Certified Strasser Hoofcare Specialist Todd Merrell of British Columbia completed trimming the horse in the Strasser method. Tufts will monitor the horse's progress.

The panel was queried about the trim Strasser had done.

"Was the Strasser trim demonstrated yesterday less radical than you had anticipated," the moderator asked?

The reply: one "no", five "yes".

The moderator then asked, "Does the panel have concerns that the trim was less radical because of the setting?"

The reply: Six "yes".

From the stage, Dr Strasser explained that the horse's underslung heels were a factor in her approach. "I couldn't go deeper," she said. "The horse wouldn't stand on the heel, it was too sensitive. I would have gone deeper, and a 30-degree angle (hairline) would have been best."

New! Updated 5 June 2002 30-day follow-up photos

Click here to read the Guild of Professional Farriers President's Position Statement on Strasser Method, issued May 28,2002
Click here to a summary statement from Montana farrier/veterinarian Tia Nelson
Click here to read the comments of "natural hoof" barefoot trimmer Pete Ramey
Click here to read a summary statement from American Farrier's Association President Craig Trnka
Click here to see a foot trimmed by Dr Strasser and analyzed with Metron software
Click here to read a letter from a horse owner who has experience with the Strasser method.
Click here to read a statement by Cornell University vet school farrier Michael Wildenstein
Click here to read the summary statement of Dr Judith Shoemaker.