Stewart Strauss was born November 4, 1938 in New York City to Ruby and Annie (Chipkowitz) Strauss. But as a true country boy he escaped from the city to work at numerous ranches in his hayday. His grandfather had a livery in the city which helped give him the horse itch.

As a young man besides milking cows on the ranches, he worked in the amusement business. He drove a stagecoach for Freedom Land with an eight horse team for the park. At that time 1962, he was drafted into the army and was proud to serve his country. While in the army, Stew was shoeing horses on the side and knew he wanted to eventually go to shoeing school. When he was discharged in 1964, Stew worked for UPS driving tractor trailers until he received a call that he was accepted into Arizona State Shoeing School in Tempe, packed his bags and started his schooling. He received his Farrier of Science degree from Porterville Shoeing School in California, and moved to upstate New York shortly after.

His career expanded over 51 years. He loved his craft, and his four-legged clients were his passion. He was well known throughout the hunter/jumper world and worked with some of the top show horses and trainers. Stew was very compassionate in keeping the old guys comfortable and making sure that they were all at the top of their game.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, but his drive kept him working until his passing in November 2017. Family was important to Stew, his wife Barbara, daughters Tarra and Felicia, and his grandsons JT and Tyler were his world.

Stew never took shoes out of the box without shaping and pulling clips his style. Stew started using copper homemade pads back in the 90's before copper came on the market, believing there was a healing property. He would always say, there is always something new to learn, no matter how long you've been in the business.