Horse owners, veterinarians, farriers, and those interested in the equine hoof are invited to attend the full day clinic by internationally recognized researcher Robert Bowker, VMD, PhD, director the Equine Hoof Lab at Michigan State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, at the 2011 Whole Horse Symposium, taking place Oct. 15-17 at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, Mo.

Bowker will present to attendees the latest research into the natural hoof and how it relates to serious hoof conditions. He will discuss the anatomy of the hoof and explain its functions as they relate to total equine health.

Discussion topics include:

• Structure and function of palmar (rear portion) foot in horses;
• Radiographic examination of the foot and how to examine the foot for potential problems;
• The adaptability of the foot, and how the adult foot adapts to environmental stresses and coffin bone loss;
• How the foal’s foot grows from fetus to the first few years of life;
• Navicular Syndrome: An Entire Foot Problem?

More information about the Whole Horse Symposium is available online