IF you ever needed reminding that the biggest forces shaping a horse’s health might be the ones we can’t see, the inaugural Equine Microbiome Conference, presented by Phileo by Lesaffre, delivered it in spades.

Opening proceedings was HRI’s Director of Equine Welfare and Bloodstock, John Osborne, who invited delegates to reconsider everything they thought they knew about feeding, management and equine performance. And he did it with trademark warmth, candour and a wickedly funny reference to his own recent gallbladder surgery.