Musculoskeletal Health

Optim-Equine-Feed-formulation-and-broodmares

Coco Pops, Feeding Broodmares and Skeletal Development…What’s the Link?

Mares and Reproductive Health, Foals, General Nutrition, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Yearlings / By / July 21, 2022

When it comes to feeding our broodmares, we are inundated with choices in terms of commercial feed mixes and concentrates. It’s common for our feed selections to be largely influenced by those marketed as ‘scientifically formulated’ or containing ‘essential nutrients’ for broodmares and healthy foetal development. Whilst we know that sufficient quantities and ratios of …

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Optim-Equine-NSAIDS-and-exercise

Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Recovery

Performance Horses, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses / By / July 14, 2022

We all want to help support our horse’s recovery post-exercise, a hard event or race. We want to reduce their soreness and help their muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones be in tip-top shape so they can capitalise upon their improvements in strength and fitness from exercise. In many cases, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such …

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Bad-Behaviour-&-Exclusion-Diets-Optim-Equine

Bad Behaviour & Exclusion Diets

Behavioural Issues, General Nutrition, Hoof Health, Immune Health, Musculoskeletal Health / By / May 6, 2022

When we have a horse who starts to exhibit nervy, spooky or irritable behaviour then one of the first things we commonly do is look at their diet. This is a terrific starting point, as nutrition plays a key role in our horse’s health and behaviour. But sometimes the way we look at their feed …

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Selenium- Is your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label?

Selenium- Is your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label?

Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements, Foals, General Nutrition, Immune Health, Mares and Reproductive Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Yearlings / By / March 24, 2022

Selenium is a crucial trace-mineral in the diets of our horses and ponies. It plays many key roles in the body and is particularly important in reproductive health (both mares and stallions), recovery from exercise, healthy immune function, normal growth and development of young horses and healthy thyroid function. Selenium is a nutrient which has …

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Promoting-bone-health-and-strength-in-the-sales-yearling

Promoting bone health and strength in the sales yearling (even after purchase!)

Performance Horses, Musculoskeletal Health, Racehorses, Yearlings / By / February 24, 2022

Bone injuries are one of the biggest factors in a horse being unable to realise its full potential on the racetrack. Many factors influence bone strength and density in the horse: nutrition, growth rate, genetics, medication use and gastrointestinal microflora. Yet one of the most overlooked aspects is one that we can significantly influence- particularly …

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Optim-Equine-Equine-Protein-Intake

The Importance of Protein

Mares and Reproductive Health, Behavioural Issues, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Nutrition, Hoof Health, Immune Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Respiratory Health, Skin Health, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Yearlings / By / January 24, 2022

Protein- it’s a most crucial component of a horse’s diet, yet is commonly blamed for causing a whole host of problems in horses: Everything from ‘hot behaviour’, to joint problems, swollen legs, liver and kidney issues. Yet are these issues actually caused by protein? And what happens when we don’t feed our horses enough quality …

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Optim Equine Horse Physical Activity

Horses are meant to MOVE. A LOT…

Performance Horses, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Nutrition, Hoof Health, Laminitis, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Racehorses / By / January 13, 2022

One of the most significant impacts of modern domestication of horses is the profound reduction in daily physical activity. Even horses who are worked regularly and are in peak fitness are likely to do far less exercise than their wild counterparts. Many horses spend the majority of their days in small paddocks, yards and stables. …

Horses are meant to MOVE. A LOT… Read More »

Optim equine poor behaviour in horses

Is it Poor Behaviour or is it Pain?

Behavioural Issues, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Musculoskeletal Health / By / January 6, 2022

Poor behaviour in horses is a complex topic to say the least. Whenever a horse is acting up- many things should be taken into account before blaming the horse for being naughty or difficult. Some of the important factors to consider include learned behaviour; imbalances in neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers that influence mood, behaviour and …

Is it Poor Behaviour or is it Pain? Read More »

Optim-Equine-Heat-Humidity-Horses

Heat, Humidity and Horses

Performance Horses, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Health/Other, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Racehorses, Respiratory Health / By / January 4, 2022

Hot, humid weather brings with it some important health considerations in relation to our horses. Heat stress is one of the most commonly recognised conditions associated with heat and humidity. Heat and humidity can also play a part in some cases of colic, respiratory challenges, exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying up), poor performance and weight loss as …

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Inflammation & Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories in Horses

Inflammation & Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories in Horses

Performance Horses, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Immune Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses / By / December 8, 2021

Inflammation. It’s a word commonly associated with poor health outcomes. Yet a certain amount of inflammation is absolutely crucial to health and wellbeing in our horses. Some inflammation is essential to promote normal immune function; repair muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments after exercise; and even facilitate healthy digestive function. Problems start to occur when levels …

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overweight-horse-and-gut-microflora

Overweight horses and ponies: there’s more to the equation than just feed…

Mares and Reproductive Health, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Nutrition, Laminitis, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Yearlings / By / November 29, 2021

Overweight horses and ponies can pose a real challenge for owners to manage. Particularly at times of the year where there is an abundance of lush feed. It is well known that higher levels of body fat in horses and ponies is associated with fertility complications, insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome and increased risk and …

Overweight horses and ponies: there’s more to the equation than just feed… Read More »

Joint-Injections-in-the-Horse--Important-Considerations

Joint Injections in the Horse- Important Considerations

Pharmaceutical Medications, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Yearlings / By / November 22, 2021

Injecting joints in horses is a common practice. The term ‘joint injection’ can mean different things to different people. In essence, there are three common types of injectable joint therapies in horses: intra-articular (IA), intravenous (IV), and intramuscular (IM). For the purpose of this article, we will focus on IA: where the solution is injected …

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Soy-The-Good-The-Bad-The-Confusing-Optim-Equine

Soy: The Good, Bad and Confusing!

Mares and Reproductive Health, Behavioural Issues, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Nutrition, Immune Health, Laminitis, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Respiratory Health, Skin Health, Stallion Fertility & Libido / By / November 15, 2021

If there’s any horse feed that can cause heated debate about whether or not it is suitable and even valuable for horses- then soy may well take the cake. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on soy bean meal and feeds containing processed soy- not soy oil or soy bean hulls- as …

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Feeding-the-injured-horse-optim-equine

Feeding The Injured Horse

General Nutrition, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Health/Other, Immune Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / November 5, 2021

Injuries in our horses can be frustrating and upsetting occurrences- and more often than not, they tend to occur when our horses are coming along really well. Ironically, although we may seem to have more time with missing planned races, events and competitions, rehabilitating a horse properly often takes more time and effort than riding …

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Laminitis

Laminitis

Laminitis, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Hoof Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications / By / October 19, 2021

Spring is here in the Southern Hemisphere! Which means crisp nights with longer daylight hours and warmer weather. After a long, cold winter-this weather is a welcome relief. But it also makes for ideal growing conditions for grass high in sugars and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) . This puts susceptible horses at increased risk of laminitis. …

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Horses: Rethinking The Use of Corticosteroids

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Horses: Rethinking The Use of Corticosteroids

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Immune Health, Laminitis, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications / By / October 14, 2021

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in horses refers to a group of intestinal diseases that are caused by the infiltration of different types of inflammatory cells into the mucosal and submucosal walls of the intestine, resulting in intestinal dysfunction. Each disease in the IBD group involves a different combination of white cells or involves a different …

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Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work

Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work

Mares and Reproductive Health, Behavioural Issues, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Hoof Health, Immune Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Yearlings / By / September 15, 2021

There’s much interest in ulcers in horses and for very good reason. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects 60-90% of adult horses and 25-50% of foals and weanlings. The condition collectively refers to sores or erosions that develop in portions of the horse’s sensitive stomach lining. EGUS is largely a man-made disease: common feeding practices,  …

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An-Holistic-Approach-to-Joint-Health-Optim-Equine

An Holistic Approach to Horse Joint Health

Herbal Medicine, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

Lameness is one of the most common complaints in the working horse, with joint damage accounting for around 60% of these cases. Progressive damage and changes to soft tissue, cartilage and underlying bone in the joint results in joint deterioration, leading to the development of osteoarthritis. This process is generally initiated by joint overload, concussion …

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Tying-up-Optim-Equine

Tying Up

General Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

Tying up is a broad term used to classify a wide variety of muscle disorders which result in the dissolution of muscle cells during exercise. Technically known as ‘exertional rhabdomylosis’ (ER), this syndrome is the most common muscle disorder which affects exercising horses. Clinical signs of ER vary, depending on the severity of the condition. …

Tying Up Read More »

Ulcer-Medications-What-Nobody-Tells-You-And-What-You-Need-To-Know-Optim-Equine

Ulcer Medications: What Nobody Tells You and What You Need To Know

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Immune Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Pharmaceutical Medications / By / August 21, 2021

The most commonly used equine ulcer medications on the market generally come under names containing Gastro/Ulcer/Guard and contain the active ingredient omeprazole, which belongs to the class of drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)[i] [ii]. These drugs work by reducing (normal, healthy) gastric acid production by blocking the enzymes located in the parietal cells …

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Laminitis How Naturopathy Can Help-Optim-Equine

Laminitis: How Naturopathy Can Help

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Nutrition, Hoof Health, Laminitis, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health / By / August 21, 2021

What is laminitis? Laminitis is a painful, often devastating inflammatory condition affecting the lamellar tissue of the foot.  Each hoof contains 550-600 primary laminae, and each of those consists of 150-200 secondary laminae. The laminae connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone and function to provide shock absorption during locomotion, holding the coffin bone …

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Bisphosphonates-(Tildren-&-Osphos)-Time-to-talk-about-the-Skeleton-in-the-Closet-Optim-Equine

Bisphosphonates (Tildren & Osphos): Time to talk about the Skeleton in the closet

Mares and Reproductive Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses / By / August 21, 2021

A question regarding the use of one of the above mentioned drugs circulated in my Facebook feed recently. It sparked much interest, confusion and curiosity by different readers…prompting me to write this post. Bisphosphonates are a class of drug which includes both tildronate and clodronate. They were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration …

Bisphosphonates (Tildren & Osphos): Time to talk about the Skeleton in the closet Read More »

Are-we-creating-resilient-racehorses-or-superficial-sales-horses-Optim-Equine

Are we creating resilient racehorses or superficial sales horses?

General Nutrition, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses, Yearlings / By / August 21, 2021

It’s now that time of year in the Southern Hemisphere where the yearling sales season is gearing up. Understandably, much emphasis is placed on the vendor’s side in realising maximal monetary value for their yearlings. From a purchaser’s point of view, finding a top class racehorse is prime priority. This poses the question…are we creating …

Are we creating resilient racehorses or superficial sales horses? Read More »

Mare-Body-Condition-Osteochondrosis-Risk-in-Offspring-Optim-Equine

Mare Body Condition: Osteochondrosis Risk in Offspring

General Nutrition, Mares and Reproductive Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Yearlings / By / August 21, 2021

Recent research has clearly demonstrated that foals born from obese mares are at much greater risk of developing osteochondrotic lesions. This is a very important consideration, given that many people like their mares in ‘very good’ condition leading into breeding season, and that horses can often be more overweight than we perceive them to be. …

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Skeletal-Injuries-Considering-the-Role-of-Bone-Density-in-the-Horse-Optim-Equine

Skeletal Injuries: Considering the Role of Bone Density in the Horse

Leave a Comment / General Nutrition, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements, Yearlings / By / August 18, 2021

One of the most significant injury concerns for all athletic horses is that involving the bones and joints. Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common cause of poor performance and wastage (wastage refers to a loss of training days, either temporary or permanent) in the equine industry. A vital consideration in bone and joint health is …

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Selenium-Deficiency-(&-Toxicity)-in-the-Equine

Selenium: Deficiency (& Toxicity) in the Equine

Mares and Reproductive Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Skin Health, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

An adequate intake (and absorption and metabolism) of selenium is essential for maintaining the overall health of your horse. This mineral plays many essential roles: it acts as an antioxidant; reduces inflammation; has critical implications in the fertility of both mares and stallions; is needed for proper cartilage and hoof formation; and promotes skin health. …

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Devil's-Claw-and-Ulcers-Optim-Equine

Devil’s Claw and Ulcers

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Herbal Medicine, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications / By / August 21, 2021

Many people are familiar with the terrific anti-inflammatory herb Devil’s Claw. This herb is predominantly used in cases of osteoarthritis and to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Research has demonstrated that root extract of the herb inhibits inflammatory cytokine production through multiple pathways. One major concern for horse …

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Vitamin-D-and-Rugging-An-Important-Consideration-Optim-Equine

Vitamin D and Rugging: An Important Consideration

General Health/Other, Immune Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

Blanketing/rugging horses is a topic which sparks much debate, primarily due to its influence on weight regulation, metabolic function and thermoregulation in the horse. Yet an often forgotten consideration is its effect on vitamin D synthesis and hence levels of this important vitamin/hormone in the horse. Vitamin D is produced by the horse when their …

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Clenbuterol-More-Than-a-Bronchodilator-Optim-Equine

Clenbuterol: More Than a Bronchodilator

General Nutrition, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses, Respiratory Health, Stallion Fertility & Libido / By / August 21, 2021

Clenbuterol is a beta-2-adrenoceptor agonist, therapeutically prescribed to horses with inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO, commonly known as heaves). It is widely known that the use of this drug has been exploited due to its ability to burn fat whilst preserving lean muscle tissue. Sadly, this practice can severely compromise the …

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When-Supplements-actually-make-the-problem-worse

When Supplements actually make the problem worse

Immune Health, Laminitis, Mares and Reproductive Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Respiratory Health, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

Something I see commonly in practice is well meaning owners prescribing supplements to help with a particular health or performance issue in their horse. One of the most commonly misused classes of supplements in the horse are ‘blood builders’. Whilst iron deficiency in humans is an all too common problem, in our horses it is …

When Supplements actually make the problem worse Read More »

Horse Dental Health and Systemic Inflammation-Optim-Equine

Horse Dental Health and Systemic Inflammation

General Health/Other, Immune Health, Mares and Reproductive Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Stallion Fertility & Libido / By / August 21, 2021

Periodontal disease (inflammation of the structures that support the tooth -including the gum, periodontal ligaments and the bone within which the tooth sits), is believed to effect at least one third of all horses, with statistics much higher in older horses. Human research has clearly linked periodontal disease with systemic inflammatory conditions and illnesses such …

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Vitamin-K-The-role-of-Gut-Health-and-the-Effect-on-Bone-Health-and-Insulin-Resistance

Vitamin K: The role of Gut Health and the Effect on Bone Health and Insulin Resistance

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, General Nutrition, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Pharmaceutical Medications, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

Vitamin K is a most important nutrient, which is derived from bacterial synthesis in the horse’s large intestine. For optimal levels of vitamin K to be produced, the horse must have sufficient fibre/roughage in the diet and a healthy microbial population and composition in their GIT. Keep in mind that many of the most frequently …

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Salt-An-Essential-Component-of-the-Horse's-Diet-Optim-Equine

Salt: An Essential Component of the Horse’s Diet

General Nutrition, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

Salt is made up of the minerals sodium and chloride and is an essential yet often overlooked/forgotten component of the horse’s diet. If you aren’t providing supplemental salt to your horse or pony’s diet, they are most likely falling short of their needs. Although many processed feeds and balancers contain sodium and chloride, they are …

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Osteochondrosis-and-Osteochondritis-Dissens-Reducing-the-Risk-Optim-Equine

Osteochondrosis and Osteochondritis Dissecans: Reducing the Risk

Foals, Musculoskeletal Health, Yearlings / By / August 21, 2021

Osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are two of the most common juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC). OC is a disease that causes lesions in the cartilage and bone of growing horses’ joints. It is a result of cartilage failing to properly turn into bone. OCD occurs as a progression of the OC: resulting in the …

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What-Supplements-are-best-for-building-Topline-Optim-Equine

What Supplements are best for building Topline?

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements, Yearlings / By / August 21, 2021

Topline describes the muscle coverage over the top of the horse’s neck, back and hindquarters. The strength of topline muscles can influence soundness and athletic ability of the horse.Now let’s briefly think of human athletes looking to increase muscle mass, strength and definition. To do this effectively they must work and utilise the correct muscle …

What Supplements are best for building Topline? Read More »

Fillies-Mares-Hormones-and-Performance-Opim-Equine

Fillies, Mares, Hormones and Performance

Mares and Reproductive Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Pharmaceutical Medications, Racehorses / By / August 21, 2021

Do you train, own or ride fillies or mares? Have you previously, or do you use altrenogest/Regumate or other synthetic progestin products to ‘control’ their cycles or regulate their behaviour? Would you still give them such substances if you knew that it significantly decreased muscle mass, strength and performance, and impaired recovery? Animal research has …

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NSAID-Ulcer-Medication-in-Horses-Optim-Equine

NSAIDs and Ulcer Medications Together? Think Again

Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Pharmaceutical Medications / By / August 21, 2021

Most horse people are aware that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs (phenylbutazone, flunixin, firocoxib, etc) compromise gastrointestinal (GI) health in the horse. This comes about through inhibiting several natural defence mechanisms of the GI tract, which help to protect and maintain the integrity of the lining of the GI tract. Whilst many think …

NSAIDs and Ulcer Medications Together? Think Again Read More »

Turmeric: Use in the Horse

Turmeric: Use in the Horse

Herbal Medicine, Musculoskeletal Health, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / August 21, 2021

FEEDING YOUR HORSE TURMERIC?…BE CAREFUL!! Turmeric, it’s the ‘wonder’ natural supplement many horse people have been self-prescribing for their horses. Most commonly used for its anti-inflammatory properties, very few, if any horse people stop to consider the quality of their turmeric. Given that turmeric is widely available in powdered form makes it susceptible to being …

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