Another Strasser Trimmer Charged with Cruelty in the UK

Portions of this text appeared in the British horse magazine, Horse & Hound:

An English woman has appeared in British court accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony by using the Strasser barefoot method of hoofcare.

In her trial, the trimmer denied two charges of causing suffering to "Brambles" between 3 June and 20 July 2004.

Brambles came into the trimmer's care in January 2004 after the previous owner could do nothing more to treat her laminitis. The pony was seized by the RSPCA on 20 July 2004 when she was found with "mutilated" hooves, walking with crossed legs and barely able to move.

The court heard how the trimmer had undergone training in the Strasser technique and had kept horses for about 35 years.

The prosecutor told the court the soles of Brambles' hooves had been trimmed away too thinly.

"The bone had rotated within the foot to an abnormal angle, so it protruded into the sole," he said, adding that there were abscesses present in the hoof and that a farrier had described it as the worst case of lameness he had ever seen.

Brambles was taken into the care of the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH), but despite five months of intensive care, was put down after failing to respond.

Counsel for the defendant said the defendant "wanted to give the pony a chance using the Strasser technique because it was clear conventional treatment had not worked."

Mr Vass admitted a vet was not called to treat Brambles, but stressed that the pony was well-fed, well-housed and given the freedom to roam.

He added: "With the benefit of hindsight, (she) may have taken on slightly more than she could handle."

The prosecutor said: "We are not suggesting (she) was deliberately trying to hurt this pony, but her treatment was the incorrect treatment for the pony and caused her to suffer additional pain."

He said the Strasser method was the "inappropriate method of treatment", and had "resulted in mutilation and caused extreme pain".

The verdict will be given on 26 July.

Editor's note: Horse and Hound is the weekly newsmagazine of the horse world in Great Britain and often works together with Hoofcare & Lameness.

This is the second prosecution of a Strasser trimmer involved in a laminitis case to be tried in recent months. Previously, a trimmer was found guilty of cruelty and Dr. Strasser testified at the trial. In that case, charges directly related to the trimming were not found but the trimmer was found guilty for not seeking veterinary care for the horse.

Barbaro: the other point of view

I feel obliged to post about Barbaro; after all, he is the poster child for what we all do to help horses. It's also pretty darn interesting if you scroll down this page and watch the disaster story unfurl.

Not everyone agrees. Check out this scathing editorial on over-Barbarozation:
http://www.sportsfanmagazine.com/sfm/articles.html?id=2775

I apologize for the sheer number of posts, but this blog will stand as a record for anyone who wants to be able to document anything about Barbaro in the future, which is also why I post what New Bolton Center provides me, unless stated otherwise, such as direct communication with Rob Sigafoos, the chief of farrier services at New Bolton.

Unlike most of you, and certainly unlike the SportsFan guy, I don't have an opinion about this case, just a lot of hope that everything reflects positively on the vet and farrier and equine health professions and that we all learn something from this horse and his high-profile struggle.

I'm not there and neither are you. All I can do is believe that they can and will do everything they can and I am sure that they are in consult with experts around the world.

Many people have asked why Chris Pollitt's cryotherapy was not used. Well, we don't know that it wasn't! Pollitt has published a paper in which he induced laminitis; one leg was placed in a deep ice boot and the other left in ambient temperature. The cold leg did not contract laminitis.

However, that was "traditional" laminitis, i.e. carbohydrate-induced, not support limb overload laminitis.

And here's a special detail for all you nay-sayers and doubting Thomases out there: Pollitt's co-author on the cryotherapy paper and former student is now a resident at New Bolton. So, they have cryotherapy expertise right on staff, had it been pertinent to the case.

I also hope that somehow more money will go to laminitis research. Please visit these web sites to learn more about how you can help with laminitis research:

http://www.ahf-laminitis.org
http://www.laminitisresearch.org

Thanks.

How's Barbaro Today?

July 14, 2006 , 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remains in stable condition according to his veterinarians at the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. “His vital signs, including heart rate and pulse, remain good,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “We are treating his laminitis aggressively and he continues to respond well and is acceptably comfortable.”

“As I said at the press conference on Thursday, we monitor his condition very closely because signs can change quickly,” said Dr. Richardson. “However, it’s important to remember that Barbaro’s treatment could easily continue for several weeks, and if all goes well, even months. Our goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible, and clearly that comfort level will be a major indicator for our treatment decisions.” Dr. Richardson also emphasized that Barbaro, as evident in the footage and still photos, has a very positive attitude.

Editor's Note: This is an extract from an official statement from New Bolton Center.

It's Official: Barbaro Has Laminitis

It seemed like such a fairy tale that the Kentucky Derby winner could waltz through recovery from his broken leg without complications. A press conference was held this morning; you can view a video of it at
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/13/sportsline/main1799553.shtml

He is now face to face with severe laminitis and has had 80 percent of his hoof wall removed, according to the surgeon. No news on whether he "sank" or "rotated" but I am sure those details will be forthcoming.

Cross all your fingers and toes, and wish upon a star. This horse will need all the help he can get.

I'll try to keep everyone posted, but this is distressing. It's easy to second guess what is going on and what has been tried, but no one really knows. I am sure they are doing all they can and have the horse's best interests at heart. I'm also sure that ethical guidelines for pain and suffering will be observed, although it doesn't sound like the horse is suffering much at present.

Let's give him--and them--a chance!

Billy Crothers World Champion (Again) at Calgary Stampede

This just in from the Calgary Stampede web site: Billy Crothers of Wales is world champion again for the fourth or fifth time, I am not sure which. Stephen Beane of England was second and Jim Quick of the USA was third.
Scroll down to read an article about Billy's wife, Lucy Diamond, successfully competing at Badminton Horse Trials back in May. They're on a roll! Billy and Stephen were also 1-2 in the shoeing competition.

12 July Barbaro Update

KENNETT SQUARE, PA —­ Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is continuing to rest comfortably today according to Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “As we said yesterday, Barbaro’s condition is potentially serious, and we are aggressively seeking all treatment options,” he said. “Today we will focus on further diagnostics and keeping our patient comfortable.” Barbaro is being treated for fractures received at the Preakness on May 20 as well as discomfort in his left hind foot.

“He’s facing tough odds and his condition is guarded,” said Dr. Richardson. “Our entire staff is determined to do all they can for this magnificent horse.” All decisions are being made in constant consultation with the owners, who continue to be only interested in his comfort.

Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.