Shoeing and trimming methods come largely from the experience of farriers, leaving plenty of room for debate about what works and what doesn’t. Meantime, researchers warn that there is actually very little scientific study to back any particular approach to hoof care.

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.