Navicular Cures

Navicular disease is a chronic and degenerative condition of the navicular bone and the navicular bursae. This causes damage to the flexor tendon and causes lameness, pain and eventually leads to a crippling condition. There are many possible causes of navicular, although most horses do not show signs of it until they are mature. A common misconception is that navicular disease can be cured.

  1. What is navicular?

    • Navicular disease is a degenerative disease, very like osteoarthritis, that affects the navicular bone and the navicular bursae of the horse's hoof. This causes the formation of bone spurs along the deep digital flexor tendon, and can be quite painful as the horse moves out at the trot and canter. It is more common among horses with very upright pasterns and narrow hooves, so conformation does seem to play a part. The condition also seems to be partially hereditary. The condition worsens over time, and if ignored, will worsen more quickly. It eventually leads to total lameness.

    Diagnosis

    • The only way to effectively diagnose navicular disease is with a veterinarian and an X-ray machine. Your farrier can test the hoof with a special "pincer" used to located hoof tenderness, but only with a positive X-ray can the full diagnosis of navicular be made. Once a positive diagnosis is made, steps can be taken immediately to slow the progression of the disease. While there is no cure, there are many treatment options.

    Treatments

    • The most critical treatment that can immediately help the horse is to put proper shoes on it. Eggbar shoes, and other shoes with pads and other options, can alleviate the pressure being placed on the navicular bone and provide immediate relief for the horse. While this is not a cure, it is certainly an improvement in overall soundness. Resting the horse when it shows signs of lameness is another critical step. Giving the horse a daily dose of anti-inflammatory drugs and treating it with pain relieving drugs when symptoms are worse will go a long way in improving the quality of life in your equine friend. Most horses with navicular can go on to lead long and productive lives if treated.