Please enable JavaScript to access this page. Medicine And Fitness: Tips On Managing Navicular Disease

Tips On Managing Navicular Disease


Owning a horse or pony is a very big responsibility. Many people love these beautiful animals and save for years to be able to afford one of their own. However, with the privilege of ownership is also a lot of hard work and commitment. Owners should learn about basic first aid and how to handle an emergency at the barn. They should also educate themselves about the most common causes of lameness and how to recognize them.

Every owners should familiarize themselves with the basics of horse anatomy and physiology. This will be of enormous benefit when they need to discuss any condition with their veterinarian. One of the most common causes of chronic lameness in horses in navicular disease. This is related to damage and inflammation in the navicular bone, a small bone in the lower leg.

The condition is caused when the small but important navicular bone experiences stress or begins to degenerate. This is often a hereditary condition that affects certain breeds of horse. Quarter horses, with the stocky bodies and small feet and most commonly affected. Some blood lines are well known to be prone to the condition and should be avoided if possible.

Some cases of lameness are caused when the bone is affected by poor circulation in the leg. This can often be treated with anti inflammatory drugs. These are often enough to keep the animal in work and useful. However, care must always be taken to ensure the animal is not ridden at a fast pace on hard ground as this will aggravate the situation. Working on grass or in a sand ring is must better and reduces trauma to the feet and legs.

As soon as the horse begins to show signs of lameness it is crucial to call in an experienced veterinarian. They will perform a thorough lameness examination and try to pin down the cause. Navicular is a relatively easy condition to diagnose as it presents with a very typical set of symptoms.

Most horses will begin to show gradual signs of lameness in their front feet. This will be most pronounced when they work on hard ground or do fast work or jumping. It may take them several days to finally become sound again. They will move with a shortened stride and often respond well to anti inflammatory medications that can be mixed with their food.

Once a diagnosis has been made there are a number of treatment options. Most animals respond well to anti inflammatory drugs. These can be powdered up and added to the feed. Most are safe for long term use, but there are restrictions for competition horses and riders need to be aware of these. These drugs can also help increase blood flow in the lower leg and this will also help to relive the symptoms.

In the event that surgery is needed, it can be up to eighty percent successful in keeping a horse sound for up to a year. However, in most cases the nerves will eventually begin to grow back and the horse will again present with some degree of lameness. These situations require careful management.


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