The Signs And Therapeutic Remedies For Navicular Horses

By Cynthia Peterson


The equines are mostly prone to challenging health issues that affect their hoof area due to their vibrant activities they are subjected to. These issues constitute to the navicular horses ailment which is a deteriorative condition that affects the scaphoid bone at the feet region. It assumes a saucer shape and is located at proximate of both the coffin and pastern bones. The malady affects the bursa and the deep digital flexor tendon thus leading to a lame condition and inflammation as well.

The inflammation mostly results from wear and tear as colt ages while the syndrome is most commonly portrayed in older ones. The condition affects all the breeds but the incidence is highest in Quarter horse breeds, Warm-bloods, and Thoroughbreds. However, colts with large, heavy body and relatively small hooves are often at a greater risk of the navicular syndrome as well as other foot problems.

Non-acquiesce practices increase the chances of developing the caudal pains. This involves the continuous use of mismatching pastern angles. This practice is tragic since it causes the deep digital flexor tendon to overstretch beyond its limit. It thus results in building up of pressure on the scaphoid bone and other adjacent skeletal structures. Failure to follow a scheduled hoof cutting is also a contributing factor that triggers the intensification of palmar foot pain.

The caudal heel pain typically affects both front feet but in varied degrees making one foot to be more painful than the other. This feature is essential since it easily unveils the condition for easy visibility. It is vividly observed through short-striding in both limbs majorly when the horse is navigating tight corners or circles. This results to the foot landing in a toe-to-heel posture which is contrary to the normal heel-to-toe landing.

Radiographing of the affected heel bones may be vital in diagnosing the caudal heel pain syndrome. However, decades of radiographing have failed to show a clear relationship that exists between bone changes and heel pain. Amazingly, developers have pioneered the magnetic resonance imaging which is a more useful process in outlining problems in soft tissues structures surrounding the scaphoid bone.

The caudal heel pain syndrome can be managed to reduce the pain and significantly minimize the excessive stress that affects the deep digital flexor tendon. This management can be achieved by staging the equine in a layup period in a stall with a small paddock. This allows the painful structures to have a serene rest for their recovery. The equines should be kept at the correct body weight. Regular hoof trimming should be practiced to maintain the correct hoof angles and pasterns.

In addition, appropriate shoeing exercise is also essential in the remedy since it improves the horse comfort through balancing. Hormonal steroid medications are also channeled on some breeds. In some cases, the pain may be obstinate and uncontrollable, this forces the veterinarians to adopt the neurectomy therapy. It involves getting rid of nerves leading to the affected area. As a result, it makes the horse not to feel bruised cavities, lameness and other related conditions.

Therefore, the navicular syndrome in horses is usually accompanied by irritating symptoms that discomfort the equines. The adverse condition can be calmly suppressed by use various management strategies. They are usually administered to make the hoofed animals more comfortable and decrease stress and inflammation in the affected structures.




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