Farriers use a wide range of trimming techniques they use to improve the health and structure of each equine foot and hoof capsule on which they work.| Photo: iStock

Farriers use a wide range of trimming techniques they use to improve the health and structure of each equine foot and hoof capsule on which they work.

During the 2017 International Hoof-Care Summit, held Jan. 24-27, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Brian Hampson, PhD, co-founder of the Australian Brumby Research Unit at the University of Queensland, Australis, presented the results of a study that looked at the effects of four trimming models on hoof morphology (form and structure).

Study Overview

In his study, Hampson evaluated 22 horses from the United States and Germany on which one of four trim types were performed over a 12-month period. His goal was to document morphologic changes associated with various barefoot hoof care models and to determine if hoof capsule changes occurred in relation to trimming philosophies. He also aimed to find out if the palmar soft-tissue volume within the foot changed over 12 months. He didn’t seek to determine if one trim method was better than another