Navicular syndrome is known to be a problem of soundness in horses that can be cured if early diagnosis and treatment is done. It is a disease that affects the bones causing inflammation and degeneration to it and the surrounding tissues usually on the front feet. In advanced cases, it can lead to significant and even disabling lameness. Navicular pain in horses is thus a common condition in horses that can be controlled.
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.
Horses thought to suffer from the condition will be lame on both front legs but will seem lame o one leg when examinations are first carried out. This phenomenon occurs as soon as there is nerve blockage in one leg and the horse limps on the opposite leg to ease the pain. This is the most important indication that the horse may be having the disease.
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.
Trimming of their long toes is done to curb the problem of under slung heels which happens to be the most common problem for these horses. Correcting the heel can be another difficult solution that involves extending the shoe backward from the heel to the location where it ought to have been if the heel was not under run.
Treatment using drug therapy should also be considered as the second step. The most successful drug used on the condition being lsoxsuprine which dilates blood vessels. This expects that it will increase blood circulation to navicular bone. Reports have indicated that approximately 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease will respond to it.
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.
Horses thought to suffer from the condition will be lame on both front legs but will seem lame o one leg when examinations are first carried out. This phenomenon occurs as soon as there is nerve blockage in one leg and the horse limps on the opposite leg to ease the pain. This is the most important indication that the horse may be having the disease.
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.
Trimming of their long toes is done to curb the problem of under slung heels which happens to be the most common problem for these horses. Correcting the heel can be another difficult solution that involves extending the shoe backward from the heel to the location where it ought to have been if the heel was not under run.
Treatment using drug therapy should also be considered as the second step. The most successful drug used on the condition being lsoxsuprine which dilates blood vessels. This expects that it will increase blood circulation to navicular bone. Reports have indicated that approximately 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease will respond to it.
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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