Farriers and equine veterinarians are in for an educational treat at next winter’s International Hoof-Care Summit when Dr. Hilary Clayton outlines biomechanical and shoeing recommendations built on the theories of Dr. Robert Bowker during his more than 10 years of research on physiological trimming.

In this extensive research that will be completed just ahead of the Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2006, Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, Clayton will present the results from a unique research project jointly conducted by the two Michigan State University researchers. The results will demonstrate how to combine Bowker’s physiological trimming principles with shoeing according to extensive biomechanical analysis.

Bowker is director of the Equine Foot Laboratory in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. His cutting edge trimming theories have been developed over the past decade from taking a close look at the nerves of the foot, blood vessels, cartilage, bones of the foot and the role played by hooves and laminae in both foot health and disease concerns.

Clayton has developed the McPhail Equine Performance Center at Michigan State University into one of the world’s most respected research facilities for diagnosis and treatment of performance problems in sport horses.

Physiological Plus Biomechanical

This project was inaugurated with a group of horses that went untrimmed for several months. The horses were then trimmed based on Bowker’s trimming theories and were re-evaluated for gait analysis, differences in breakover and numerous other scientific factors. More trimming was done followed by various biomechanical options and the horses were evaluated…