The Signs And Therapeutic Remedies For Navicular Horses

By Cynthia Peterson


The horsey domestic animals face a slew of adverse health crises majorly on the foot area due to their racing activities. These crises majorly revolve around the navicular horses which is a degenerative syndrome affecting the scaphoid bone. It is a saucer-like bone impended between the coffin bone and the short pastern bone. The ailment also affects the bursa cushion as well as the DDFT thus resulting in lameness and swelling of the hoof as a result of excessively stressing the feet area.

The swelling is fueled through wearing and tearing as the horse ages whereas the syndrome is commonly evidenced in nag ones. The lameness can affect all horse breeds. However, the impact is usually seen more in some breeds like the warm-bloods and thoroughbreds among others. Overweight horsey animals with reduced hooves are usually at a higher risk profile of palmar foot pain syndrome and other foot conditions.

Another conforming factor that increases the chances of a steed developing the syndrome is the use of an incorrect pastern angle that does not match with hoof angle. The mismatch causes the deep digital flexor tendon to be stretched excessively as it runs over the navicular bone. This creates an increased pressure on the bone as well as the cushioning bursa and other surrounding structures. The pressure is also caused by delayed hoof trimming and shoes resetting.

The navicular disease mainly affects both front feet but in varied extremes thus resulting in one foot experiencing more pain than the other. This aspect is useful since it enhances easy examination of the same condition. The condition is easily noticed during striding where the horse navigates tight circles with difficulties. This is achieved by examining the foot landing styles.

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 syndrome is managed with the aim of easing the pain and minimizing tension in the DDFT. This approach is done by offering the horse a resting period either in a stall or a customized paddock. This enables the painful points to rest and recover. The equines should be reared at an optimal body weight to avoid tension creating at the tendons. Regular hoof cutting should be adopted to establish correct angles of hooves and pastern.

Similarly, a therapeutic shoeing culture should also be embraced to foster the horse comfort through balancing enhancement. Some of the affected breeds benefit from medications that are done by injecting the navicular bursa. In some instances of intense pain, the veterinarians may severe the nerves to the affected area. This makes the equine not to feel abscesses, sole bruises, and laminitis that may need alleviating actions or a veterinary.

Thus, the horse navicular syndrome is usually a collective of varied symptoms that cause discomfort to the equines. These conditions can be managed accordingly by use of treatment management techniques. They are designed to increase striding comfort and relieving swelling and tension on the affected areas.




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