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We received a great question about leg shape and alignment from a Foal Patrol viewer this morning. This resource from the University of Missouri Extension provides an introduction to "leg set" and its effect on a horse's movement and overall soundness.

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Helping horses achieve and maintain optimal body condition, weight, and muscle development is no easy task. This online article, published earlier this year by Sara Evers Conrad, explains some of the differences between adding weight and muscle, as well as pointers for knowing what a horse needs to promote muscle development and a healthy body condition.

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Prompted by a post in our Nutrition blog about feeding approaches to better ensure a robust, balanced microbiome, we received a question this morning about how the horse's intestinal microbiome works. Dr. Stacey Oke recently published this piece on The Horse that provides more information on the complex community of intestinal microbes that play roles in energy production, endocrine production, and immunity.  

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Our last post to the Anatomy/Physiology blog focused on the internal bones and soft tissues of the hoof. This post continues the discussion of hoof health with its emphasis on the outer hoof and its impacts on the bones and soft tissues within. Learn more about external hoof anatomy, common hoof problems, and some preventive measures in this article by Christy West available on The Horse.

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Much like a vehicle's tires and suspension, horses' hooves often take a daily beating. Even though the hoof is brilliantly engineered to take on that stress, hoof problems are common in horses. Learn more about the bones and soft tissues of the hoof and some steps to take to stay on top of hoof care in this article by Christy West. A big thanks to The Horse for allowing us to share this article with our Foal Patrol followers.