The equines are mostly prone to challenging health issues that affect their hoof area due to their vibrant activities they are subjected to. These issues constitute to the navicular horses ailment which is a deteriorative condition that affects the scaphoid bone at the feet region. It assumes a saucer shape and is located at proximate of both the coffin and pastern bones. The malady affects the bursa and the deep digital flexor tendon thus leading to a lame condition and inflammation as well.
The inflammation mostly results from wear and tear as colt ages while the syndrome is most commonly portrayed in older ones. The condition affects all the breeds but the incidence is highest in Quarter horse breeds, Warm-bloods, and Thoroughbreds. However, colts with large, heavy body and relatively small hooves are often at a greater risk of the navicular syndrome as well as other foot problems.
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.
The owners and other personnel have ventured in the use of the radiographing technique in a quest to minimize the adversity of this condition. However, the process has piled continued failures over the decades since it does not account for the relationship between therapeutically altered bones and heel pain. Therefore, this has fueled the use of magnetic resonance imaging which clearly gives finer details of soft tissue structures surrounding the scaphoid bone.
The ailment is usually managed with the view of reducing the pain and tension around the tendon and other surrounding structures. This is made a reality by sequestering the horse with a layup period in the paddocked stall. This allows the affected structures to recover. Another alleviating strategy is by rearing the equines at the correct body weight to avoid stress within the tendon tissues. Regular hoof trimming should also be incorporated to maintain the right pastern angles.
In addition, appropriate shoeing exercise is also essential in the remedy since it improves the horse comfort through balancing. Hormonal steroid medications are also channeled on some breeds. In some cases, the pain may be obstinate and uncontrollable, this forces the veterinarians to adopt the neurectomy therapy. It involves getting rid of nerves leading to the affected area. As a result, it makes the horse not to feel bruised cavities, lameness and other related conditions.
Therefore, the navicular syndrome in horses is usually accompanied by irritating symptoms that discomfort the equines. The adverse condition can be calmly suppressed by use various management strategies. They are usually administered to make the hoofed animals more comfortable and decrease stress and inflammation in the affected structures.
The inflammation mostly results from wear and tear as colt ages while the syndrome is most commonly portrayed in older ones. The condition affects all the breeds but the incidence is highest in Quarter horse breeds, Warm-bloods, and Thoroughbreds. However, colts with large, heavy body and relatively small hooves are often at a greater risk of the navicular syndrome as well as other foot problems.
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.
The owners and other personnel have ventured in the use of the radiographing technique in a quest to minimize the adversity of this condition. However, the process has piled continued failures over the decades since it does not account for the relationship between therapeutically altered bones and heel pain. Therefore, this has fueled the use of magnetic resonance imaging which clearly gives finer details of soft tissue structures surrounding the scaphoid bone.
The ailment is usually managed with the view of reducing the pain and tension around the tendon and other surrounding structures. This is made a reality by sequestering the horse with a layup period in the paddocked stall. This allows the affected structures to recover. Another alleviating strategy is by rearing the equines at the correct body weight to avoid stress within the tendon tissues. Regular hoof trimming should also be incorporated to maintain the right pastern angles.
In addition, appropriate shoeing exercise is also essential in the remedy since it improves the horse comfort through balancing. Hormonal steroid medications are also channeled on some breeds. In some cases, the pain may be obstinate and uncontrollable, this forces the veterinarians to adopt the neurectomy therapy. It involves getting rid of nerves leading to the affected area. As a result, it makes the horse not to feel bruised cavities, lameness and other related conditions.
Therefore, the navicular syndrome in horses is usually accompanied by irritating symptoms that discomfort the equines. The adverse condition can be calmly suppressed by use various management strategies. They are usually administered to make the hoofed animals more comfortable and decrease stress and inflammation in the affected structures.
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