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Anatomy

Hoof anatomy with Professor Robert Bowker, part 3

Peripheral loading: possible but not ideal

Why the hoof shouldn't carry everything

The coffin bone is suspended by the laminae inside the hoof capsule. Right? So many of us have been taught and in many horses it's not exactly untrue, according to Professor Robert Bowker. It's just that it's also not ideal, he argues in this feature. So if the laminae are not supposed to suspend the coffin bone, why does the coffin bone come through the sole when horses suffer from laminitis? Is peripheral loading a shoeing versus barefoot problem? And should a coffin bone be smooth or rough? Professor Bowker explains.

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