Horses that suffer from navicular syndrome are usually feared by people like a plague. This was at least true some years back. The situation, however, has improved since people now know more about this disorder compared to how they did before. People are always afraid of things that they do not understand. More understanding is now of the disease possible due to the assistance of improved imaging technology. This is what Navicular disease in horses is all about.
About 10 years ago, navicular syndrome was considered as any illness which affected the heel of a horse. The fear of this illness was much influenced by the myths and misconceptions that surrounded it. However, it is now possible to distinguish and differentiate certain conditions that were previously considered as navicular syndrome.
Some of these conditions can be treated successfully while others cannot be fixed. Navicular disease is today understood to have a higher level of prevalence in certain breeds of horses than in others. The condition also seems to get worse in certain breeds than in others. Horses of today live longer than before, and it is upon the owner to be able to detect navicula condition earlier and adopt a management plan.
There is a specific place within the heel of a horse where the navicular bone is situated. The bone is associated with a number of soft tissue structures which are located in all sides. Navicular bursa, coffic bone, collateral sesamoidean ligament, digital flexor tendon and impar ligaments are some of these structures. There is a central marrow cavity in the bone which has small channels. The channel holds the nerves and blood vessels of the bone.
Several different causes have been associated with navicular syndrome. Some major examples include injury an dinflammation of supporting ligaments, problems with the navicula bone, and problems in flexor surface or flexor tendon. These problems occur mostly in horses that are used for performance, otherwise called performance horses. This condition is the main cause of chronic forelimb lameness in equines.
The disorder has been detected in a large variety of horses, but studies show some breed to have a higher predisposition. Breeds of horses that are predisposed to this disorder include Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and warmbloods. The diagnoses in these breeds are highest compared to any other species of horses. Diagnosis is usually carried out between the age of 7 and 14 years.
Horses also get predisposed to the disorder due to conformation abnormalities in hooves, disproportionally small feet, sheared heels, underrun heels, contracted heels, and mismatched hoof angles. Even though both front limbs get infected, the condition usually has different levels of severity in the two limbs. The affects are usually more severe in one limb than the other.
Cure alternatives for navicular syndrome have kept on adding up as the years pass by. Horse owners are no longer restricted to ancient treatment options. Diagnoses are also more accurate, following the invention of improved MRI technology. MRI scanning is the standardized imaging process for this disorder nowadays.
About 10 years ago, navicular syndrome was considered as any illness which affected the heel of a horse. The fear of this illness was much influenced by the myths and misconceptions that surrounded it. However, it is now possible to distinguish and differentiate certain conditions that were previously considered as navicular syndrome.
Some of these conditions can be treated successfully while others cannot be fixed. Navicular disease is today understood to have a higher level of prevalence in certain breeds of horses than in others. The condition also seems to get worse in certain breeds than in others. Horses of today live longer than before, and it is upon the owner to be able to detect navicula condition earlier and adopt a management plan.
There is a specific place within the heel of a horse where the navicular bone is situated. The bone is associated with a number of soft tissue structures which are located in all sides. Navicular bursa, coffic bone, collateral sesamoidean ligament, digital flexor tendon and impar ligaments are some of these structures. There is a central marrow cavity in the bone which has small channels. The channel holds the nerves and blood vessels of the bone.
Several different causes have been associated with navicular syndrome. Some major examples include injury an dinflammation of supporting ligaments, problems with the navicula bone, and problems in flexor surface or flexor tendon. These problems occur mostly in horses that are used for performance, otherwise called performance horses. This condition is the main cause of chronic forelimb lameness in equines.
The disorder has been detected in a large variety of horses, but studies show some breed to have a higher predisposition. Breeds of horses that are predisposed to this disorder include Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and warmbloods. The diagnoses in these breeds are highest compared to any other species of horses. Diagnosis is usually carried out between the age of 7 and 14 years.
Horses also get predisposed to the disorder due to conformation abnormalities in hooves, disproportionally small feet, sheared heels, underrun heels, contracted heels, and mismatched hoof angles. Even though both front limbs get infected, the condition usually has different levels of severity in the two limbs. The affects are usually more severe in one limb than the other.
Cure alternatives for navicular syndrome have kept on adding up as the years pass by. Horse owners are no longer restricted to ancient treatment options. Diagnoses are also more accurate, following the invention of improved MRI technology. MRI scanning is the standardized imaging process for this disorder nowadays.
About the Author:
Navicular disease in horses can be dangerous if left untreated. To know more about this disease, visit the blog posts that appear at http://www.naviculardisease.com.
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