Navicular is known to be a disease in horses that can be managed if the diagnosis and treatment are done in good time. It mainly affects the front feet where the navicular bone and its surrounding tissues become inflamed and degraded. The most severe cases are characterized by significant lameness in the animal. Navicular pain should not cause unnecessary alarm as it can be controlled using various ways.
Diagnosis of the disease can be done by looking at both radiographic and clinical signs. This means that a veterinarian can tell there is a problem by looking at x-rays of the hoof area was well as direct observation in a physical examination. These x-rays are however the most efficient as they help rule out other possible causes of this pain.
There are obvious signs that the veterinarian needs to be keen and watch out for. Limping that is caused by shifting all the weight from the heel to the toe because of the pain, a painful response when hoof testers are used on the middle third of the frog and finally the presence of long toes resulting in under run heels which usually causes the disease.
Many horses with navicular syndrome are lame in both front legs but will appear to be lame on one leg in their first examinations. This is because, when one leg has its nerves blocked, it will begin to limp with the opposite leg thus over working it. This sign should be the most important to the veterinarian that the horse has a problem in the navicular bone.
The foundation for treating any horse that shows the corresponding signs is correct shoeing. Owners of these horses out to follow the essential rules of balancing their hooves which is usually from the front to the back and then side to side. The front hoof should be parallel to the line of their pastern and the back of the hoof should be parallel to their pastern.
The most common problem seen with horses suffering from this condition is long toes and under run heels which can be controlled by trimming the long toe away. Correcting the heel is a difficult problem as the shoe has to be extended backward from the heel to the place where it should have been if the heel was not worn out.
Drug therapy is also important in treating the syndrome that must be combined with other methods. The most successful drug that has been use for the disease is known as Isoxuprine which dilates the blood vessels causing better circulation to navicular bones. About 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease can be cured by it according to reports.
The other aspect of treatment is exercise as it is the best way to improve blood circulation in the foot. The horse should be trained to bear more weight on the hind legs. Riders use the long and low exercise in an effort to achieve the same. As the horse becomes more used to this habit, the weight bearing will move from the front legs to hind legs thus avoiding pain.
Diagnosis of the disease can be done by looking at both radiographic and clinical signs. This means that a veterinarian can tell there is a problem by looking at x-rays of the hoof area was well as direct observation in a physical examination. These x-rays are however the most efficient as they help rule out other possible causes of this pain.
There are obvious signs that the veterinarian needs to be keen and watch out for. Limping that is caused by shifting all the weight from the heel to the toe because of the pain, a painful response when hoof testers are used on the middle third of the frog and finally the presence of long toes resulting in under run heels which usually causes the disease.
Many horses with navicular syndrome are lame in both front legs but will appear to be lame on one leg in their first examinations. This is because, when one leg has its nerves blocked, it will begin to limp with the opposite leg thus over working it. This sign should be the most important to the veterinarian that the horse has a problem in the navicular bone.
The foundation for treating any horse that shows the corresponding signs is correct shoeing. Owners of these horses out to follow the essential rules of balancing their hooves which is usually from the front to the back and then side to side. The front hoof should be parallel to the line of their pastern and the back of the hoof should be parallel to their pastern.
The most common problem seen with horses suffering from this condition is long toes and under run heels which can be controlled by trimming the long toe away. Correcting the heel is a difficult problem as the shoe has to be extended backward from the heel to the place where it should have been if the heel was not worn out.
Drug therapy is also important in treating the syndrome that must be combined with other methods. The most successful drug that has been use for the disease is known as Isoxuprine which dilates the blood vessels causing better circulation to navicular bones. About 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease can be cured by it according to reports.
The other aspect of treatment is exercise as it is the best way to improve blood circulation in the foot. The horse should be trained to bear more weight on the hind legs. Riders use the long and low exercise in an effort to achieve the same. As the horse becomes more used to this habit, the weight bearing will move from the front legs to hind legs thus avoiding pain.
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