Dr Robert Bowker comes to Oz...seminar at Werribee, Melbourne, Victoria - April 1 & 2, 2008
The Australian Hoof Care Assn Inc. (www.ahca.org.au) presents this important seminar as part of its ongoing professional development and education program.
Visiting Australia to personally deliver his most recent research into the question of the development and inner workings of the equine hoof, is Dr Robert Bowker VMD – neuro-biologist, Professor of Anatomy, Director of the Equine Foot Laboratory at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and consulting editor to Hoofcare and Lameness Journal.
Dr Bowker has spent the past decade and a half studying the function of the equine foot and has presented papers to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Much of his research has been on the microscopic level, through the dissection and study of thousands of cadaver hooves. His recent research has produced three significant and ground breaking studies.
The first is his hemodynamic flow theory, which proposes that blood flow through the network of tiny capillaries in the heel region plays a vital role in shock absorption of the hoof. The second is his discovery of proprio-receptor sensory cells in the heel region which Dr Bowker now believes may transmit information to a horse’s central nervous system and allow him to “feel” his way across the ground. A third study reveals the differences he’s discovered between a “good” foot and a “bad” foot and why some horses remain sound, and others are more likely to be dogged by various lamenesses as they get older.
At his Melbourne Seminar, Dr. Bowker will:
• Introduce and give an overview of his latest research work.
• Discuss the composition of a 'good' foot, contrasting it with a 'bad' foot.
• Talk about barefooted horses and ground surface.
• Discuss radiographs of the foot
• Consider feral horses and their contributions to the domestic horse foot.
• Look at the adult hoof wall and its adaptability.
• Talk about navicular syndrome (& how this is a man-made problem).
• Inform us about perfusion of the foot - & its variability with different surfaces.
• Cover movement in the domestic horse - by circumstance a sedentary creature.
• Discuss the foal foot & how it changes through life.
• Consider the sole and its importance to the horse.
• He'll also suggest how his latest research can best be applied in trimming techniques
There will be opportunities for participants to question him on all aspects of hoof care
There will also be the chance for participants to dissect cadaver legs with varying bandsaw cuts to give a better 3D appreciation, under Dr Bowker's supervision.
Email me direct for further info <rebeccascott@bigpond.com>
But be quick. As of today there are only five or six (max) slots left as there has been huge interest from vets, farriers and trimmers both here in Victoria and interstate.
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JUst a sad note....Dr. Rooney (also major investigator/DVM that did study the biomechanics of the hoof) has past away at age 81.
Posted by: Heidi Meyer | September 08, 2008 at 01:10 AM