What is the “scoop” and how is it used?
First, a scoop is the cut into the lateral and medial walls that arches the wall. Scoops were first noted in wild horses’ feet and were “instituted” into the Strasser trim method back in 2003. The lateral and medial walls should have ground contact when the horse is fully weight-bearing on that foot. A shallow scoop would be all that a healthy hoof needs. But a hoof that needs a deeper scoop may have an arched up hairline. The important thing to remember is to understand the difference when the lateral hairline is arched up and when the toe hairline is dragged down due to the coffin bone being tipped forward. Also, too deep or long a scoop in a shallow hoof with limited concavity can cause a loss of toe height. Toe height is very important. The toe quarters should only be trimmed very rarely. They are the pillars of support for the front half of the foot; so much so that some horse shoes are designed to use these points as the breakover. Most horses feet suffer from not enough toe heig
First, a scoop is the cut into the lateral and medial walls that arches the wall. Scoops were first noted in wild horses’ feet and were “instituted” into the Strasser trim method back in 2003. The lateral and medial walls should have ground contact when the horse is fully weight-bearing on that foot. A very shallow scoop would be all that a healthy hoof needs. But a hoof that needs a deeper scoop may have an arched up hairline. The important thing to remember is to understand the difference when the lateral hairline is arched up and when the toe hairline is dragged down due to the coffin bone being tipped forward. Also, too deep or long a scoop in a shallow hoof with limited concavity can cause a loss of toe height. Toe height is very important. The toe quarters should only be trimmed very rarely. They are the pillars of support for the front half of the foot; so much so that some horse shoes are designed to use these points as the breakover. Most horses feet suffer from not enough toe
