Horse owners rightly fear the problem of founder in their animals. One cause of navicular disease, foundering usually affects the front feet of a horse, resulting in lameness which can be permanent. There are other causes of navicular problems which are still being researched by equine health experts.
The term 'founder' is used to describe the discomfort a horse experiences when it eats too much rich grass or grain. The result is an inflammation of the digestive tract and of the front feet of the animal. Severe cases can result in death and/or permanent damage to the feet. A horse allowed unlimited access to lush grass or the feed room can quickly develop symptoms of founder.
Horses allowed to get too fat are also at risk. Overweight animals are prone to foundering. Excess weight also puts undue, constant stress on the feet, especially the front ones which naturally bear most of the animal's weight.
Although ponies are more susceptible than horses to grass founder, all equines are at risk. Maintaining a proper weight is important, since keeping a horse in a dry lot makes everyone miserable and can result in other problems, like anemia or vices like cribbing. Regular exercise is helpful in keeping weight under control and improving the circulation to the feet.
Another cause of navicular problems is concussion. Pounding on hard ground day after day is not natural for a horse. This condition often affects heavy horses, like warmbloods, who are asked to work and jump on a regular basis. These sport animals can be very talented, which makes this susceptibility unfortunate for both horse and owner. Allowing an animal to reach full maturity before being put into heavy work can help, as can varying work sessions with less strenuous exercise on yielding ground.
Other causes include standing too much, as when a horse is confined to a stall and not allowed sufficient time out at exercise. Forcing growth with rich feed, as is commonly done with thoroughbred youngsters destined for the yearling sales, can have detrimental effects. Race horses and show animals are routinely stalled for their protection, given demanding training schedules, and kept on high energy feeds.
Maintaining the natural shape and balance of the foot is important. Improper trimming and shoeing can cause navicular problems. If toes are too long and heels sloped too far under the foot, strained tendons can pull bones in the foot out of position. This can cause arthritic degeneration inside the foot. Heels should be allowed to spread in a natural way; rigid shoes and contracted heels are thought to contribute to navicular.
Lush grass is a danger to all horses and ponies and should be limited. Feed rooms must be securely closed to keep greedy horses out. Exercise programs should be designed with the animal's age and conformation in mind, and riding done over firm but yielding ground. Owners who want their horses to stay sound should learn how to make sure their farrier is doing a good job.
The term 'founder' is used to describe the discomfort a horse experiences when it eats too much rich grass or grain. The result is an inflammation of the digestive tract and of the front feet of the animal. Severe cases can result in death and/or permanent damage to the feet. A horse allowed unlimited access to lush grass or the feed room can quickly develop symptoms of founder.
Horses allowed to get too fat are also at risk. Overweight animals are prone to foundering. Excess weight also puts undue, constant stress on the feet, especially the front ones which naturally bear most of the animal's weight.
Although ponies are more susceptible than horses to grass founder, all equines are at risk. Maintaining a proper weight is important, since keeping a horse in a dry lot makes everyone miserable and can result in other problems, like anemia or vices like cribbing. Regular exercise is helpful in keeping weight under control and improving the circulation to the feet.
Another cause of navicular problems is concussion. Pounding on hard ground day after day is not natural for a horse. This condition often affects heavy horses, like warmbloods, who are asked to work and jump on a regular basis. These sport animals can be very talented, which makes this susceptibility unfortunate for both horse and owner. Allowing an animal to reach full maturity before being put into heavy work can help, as can varying work sessions with less strenuous exercise on yielding ground.
Other causes include standing too much, as when a horse is confined to a stall and not allowed sufficient time out at exercise. Forcing growth with rich feed, as is commonly done with thoroughbred youngsters destined for the yearling sales, can have detrimental effects. Race horses and show animals are routinely stalled for their protection, given demanding training schedules, and kept on high energy feeds.
Maintaining the natural shape and balance of the foot is important. Improper trimming and shoeing can cause navicular problems. If toes are too long and heels sloped too far under the foot, strained tendons can pull bones in the foot out of position. This can cause arthritic degeneration inside the foot. Heels should be allowed to spread in a natural way; rigid shoes and contracted heels are thought to contribute to navicular.
Lush grass is a danger to all horses and ponies and should be limited. Feed rooms must be securely closed to keep greedy horses out. Exercise programs should be designed with the animal's age and conformation in mind, and riding done over firm but yielding ground. Owners who want their horses to stay sound should learn how to make sure their farrier is doing a good job.
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