Treatments For Navicular Disease In Horses
Horse owners and trainers have many things to worry about on a daily basis. Horses are large animals who do a surprisingly good job of taking care of themselves. However, even with the best care and attention they can still become lame. It is these situations, with no obvious injury or cause of the problem that are often the most difficult to diagnose. There are several conditions that owners need to be very aware of and know the signs and symptoms of.
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.
Breeds such as the Quarter horse and Thoroughbred are most likely to present with the condition. In fact, there are bloodlines that are well known to be highly prone to the disease. The navicular bone is small but very important in the anatomy of the horses leg. It sits at the bottom of the leg, in a position equivalent to the ankle. Ligaments and tendons pass around the bone, making it prone to damage and disintegration.
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.
As the horse begins to experience chronic and consistent pain in his front feet he will often adopt the habit of pointing his toes whilst resting. This is a classic symptom of navicular problems and should be taken very seriously. The horse is trying to take the stress off their toes and leans back onto their heels. This in turn can lead to additional issues and problems.
Correct shoeing is one of the most valuable treatments for a horse diagnosed with navicular. It is vital to find a really good farrier who understands the anatomy of the hoof correctly. They can design and fit special shoes that will help to relieve the pressure on the foot and make the horse more comfortable.
Special shoes are one of the best ways to help keep a horse comfortable and in work. The shoes have a bar across the heel that helps to distribute the impact of the foot on the ground. Fitting thick pads under the shoes is another way to help make the animal more comfortable. Seeking out a really good farrier is one of the most important things an owner can do to give their horse the best chance to stay sound and keep working.
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.
Breeds such as the Quarter horse and Thoroughbred are most likely to present with the condition. In fact, there are bloodlines that are well known to be highly prone to the disease. The navicular bone is small but very important in the anatomy of the horses leg. It sits at the bottom of the leg, in a position equivalent to the ankle. Ligaments and tendons pass around the bone, making it prone to damage and disintegration.
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.
As the horse begins to experience chronic and consistent pain in his front feet he will often adopt the habit of pointing his toes whilst resting. This is a classic symptom of navicular problems and should be taken very seriously. The horse is trying to take the stress off their toes and leans back onto their heels. This in turn can lead to additional issues and problems.
Correct shoeing is one of the most valuable treatments for a horse diagnosed with navicular. It is vital to find a really good farrier who understands the anatomy of the hoof correctly. They can design and fit special shoes that will help to relieve the pressure on the foot and make the horse more comfortable.
Special shoes are one of the best ways to help keep a horse comfortable and in work. The shoes have a bar across the heel that helps to distribute the impact of the foot on the ground. Fitting thick pads under the shoes is another way to help make the animal more comfortable. Seeking out a really good farrier is one of the most important things an owner can do to give their horse the best chance to stay sound and keep working.
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