No horse owner wants to hear the words “navicular disease,” which is frequently linked to persistent pain, decreased performance, and difficult long-term care decisions. But while it has a terrible reputation, advances in veterinary medicine and hoof care are bringing new hope.
The treatment of navicular disease in horses, its early warning symptoms, and management techniques that can significantly improve your horse’s quality of life are all covered in this article.
Understanding Navicular Disease
The navicular bone and related tissues in the horse’s foot are affected by a chronic, progressive disorder known as navicular disease. Performance horses and those with bad foot anatomy are most likely to have it. The back of the foot is usually where the pain starts, resulting in occasional or chronic lameness.
The condition frequently affects the deep neural flexor tendon, navicular bursa, and supporting ligaments in addition to the bone itself.
Common Symptoms
The proper treatment of navicular syndrome depends on early detection and diagnosis. Regular foot and vet examinations are essential because many horses do not show obvious symptoms until the illness has progressed. Keep an eye out for these indicators:
- Lameness that comes and goes, especially in tight circles or on rough surfaces
- Reduced step length, especially in the front limbs
- Unwillingness to turn or descend
- When at rest, shifting weight from one foot to the other
- Landing toe-first instead of heel-first
Causes of Syndrome
Degeneration is frequently caused by a combination of decreased blood supply to the navicular area and physical stress. Although the exact reason isn’t usually visible, there are a number of known contributing factors:
- Low heels and lengthy toes are examples of poor hoof conformation.
- Working too much on hard surfaces
- Inappropriate footwear or trimming
- Genetics and horse breeds
Diagnosis of Disease
An efficient treatment strategy that is tailored to the horse’s specific condition is shaped in part by an early and precise diagnosis. The usual methods for diagnosing navicular disease include:
- Nerve blocks and flexion tests
- Lameness examinations.
- X-rays, or radiographs, are used to look for changes in the bones
- MRI scans, which offer fine-grained soft tissue pictures
Navicular Disease in Horses Treatment
There is not a single method for treating navicular disease. Navicular disease in horses treatment is frequently complex and can involve:
- Correctly trimming and balancing the hoof to reduce navicular pressure
- Drugs to reduce inflammation
- Injections of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids into the navicular bursa
- Shockwave therapy: To promote recovery and lessen discomfort
- Regenerative treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells
- Surgery may be undertaken in extreme circumstances.
Longterm Care
Even though navicular disease is regarded as incurable, many horses benefit greatly from immediate treatment and medications. Some horses may return to light or even moderate work with the proper care. Others may need to adopt a more relaxed way of living. The way to a lasting cure:
- Regular hoof care
- Exercise that involves low-impact work is ideal
- Careful observation for alterations in behavior or gait
- Visiting your veterinarian and farrier on a regular basis
