Hiltrud Strasser
Encyclopedia
Dr. Hiltrud Strasser is a German
veterinarian
, who has worked for many years on the anatomy
, physiology
, pathology
and rehabilitation
of horse
s' feet. She has published papers and books on this topic from the 1980s.
Her primary interest is foot balance and trimming, especially in relation to barefoot trimming and remedial trimming of foot conditions such as laminitis
and navicular syndrome. As well as publishing papers and books she also runs courses for horse owners, farrier
s and veterinarians in Europe
and elsewhere. Her courses also concern the holistic care and rehabilitation of horses. Strasser theory is based on naturalization of a horse's management (no stall, no rest, no stagnation), on de-shoeing of shod horses and on a trim devoted to restore normal shape and function of their hooves.
There are many relations between Strasser theory and Jaime Jackson
theory, after his observations on free roaming US Mustangs
.
She has also co-authored a recent book with Robert Cook
, covering bitting injuries and other problems associated with horses' bits
.
Critics of Dr. Strasser's method of hoof care allege that her methodology may result in lameness, pain and discomfort. She herself outlines circumstances where her extreme trim could result in the death of the horse under some circumstances. For this reason, many mainstream practitioners hesitate to recommend the more extreme aspects of Strasser's methods.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, who has worked for many years on the anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
and rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
of horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s' feet. She has published papers and books on this topic from the 1980s.
Her primary interest is foot balance and trimming, especially in relation to barefoot trimming and remedial trimming of foot conditions such as laminitis
Laminitis
Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates. It is best known in horses and cattle. Symptoms include lameness, and increased temperature in the hooves...
and navicular syndrome. As well as publishing papers and books she also runs courses for horse owners, farrier
Farrier
A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
s and veterinarians in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and elsewhere. Her courses also concern the holistic care and rehabilitation of horses. Strasser theory is based on naturalization of a horse's management (no stall, no rest, no stagnation), on de-shoeing of shod horses and on a trim devoted to restore normal shape and function of their hooves.
There are many relations between Strasser theory and Jaime Jackson
Jaime Jackson
Jaime Jackson is a 35-year veteran hoof care professional, lecturer, author and researcher on wild and domestic horse hooves. He is best known for the practice of natural hoof care first written about in The Natural Horse: Lessons from the Wild .- Career :The Natural Horse was based upon Jackson's...
theory, after his observations on free roaming US Mustangs
Mustang (horse)
A Mustang is a free-roaming horse of the North American west that first descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish. Mustangs are often referred to as wild horses, but there is intense debate over terminology...
.
She has also co-authored a recent book with Robert Cook
Robert Cook (veterinarian)
Robert Cook has published many papers, mainly on diseases of the horse's mouth, ear, nose and throat both in scientific and horseman's journals, covering both various topics:*equine diagnostical and surgical endoscopy;...
, covering bitting injuries and other problems associated with horses' bits
Bit (horse)
A bit is a type of horse tack used in equestrian activities, usually made of metal or a synthetic material, and is placed in the mouth of a horse or other equid and assists a rider in communicating with the animal. It rests on the bars of the mouth in an interdental region where there are no teeth...
.
Critics of Dr. Strasser's method of hoof care allege that her methodology may result in lameness, pain and discomfort. She herself outlines circumstances where her extreme trim could result in the death of the horse under some circumstances. For this reason, many mainstream practitioners hesitate to recommend the more extreme aspects of Strasser's methods.