All You Need To Know About Navicular Syndrome In Horses

By Mattie Knight


Today, many people love to keep horses for sports. Maintaining these animals is not easy as they suffer from different conditions. If you keep these animals, you could have come across them facing difficulties walking. There are many causes of Navicular, but in most cases, it could be Navicular syndrome in horses making their life difficult.

The primary cause of this condition at present is not known. However, any damage related to the Navicular bone might occur as a result of interference with the supply of blood. Trauma is also known to cause this problem. Damage might happen to the deep tendon and ligament that lead to pain and lameness. The young ones are not prone to this disease. In most cases, those which are more than five years are affected most.

There are many signs that the horse is suffering from this disease. It is widely known that the front feet are affected. This leads to lameness making walking to be a bigger problem. For stallion that tries to walk, they do so in difficulties and walk slowly. Lameness often occurs when the animal is exercised in small circles and on hard grounds. It is also common to see one foot affected than the other.

Diagnosis must be carried out by an experienced veterinarian. To get this correct, they have to start by looking at the health history, the symptoms manifested, radiography and nerve blocks. If there is recurrent lameness, this is a sign that the condition is imminent. The affected animals, because of pain start by placing one toe on the ground then put the body weight next. To reduce discomfort, veterinarians use local anesthetic injected into the nerves.

Many people keeping these animals shy away from them when infected since they lack knowledge. In the recent past, veterinary experts have come up with many solutions to this disease. They know the main cause that affects the foot anatomy and advice on what to do. Some animals get total cure from this condition, while for some, it become difficult. Knowing the early signs and offering treatment will cure the disease.

Navicular is not terminal because it can be managed. Having early treatment and interventions, coupled with best health care practices restore the health back. Using different procedures for the treatment makes the stallions walk comfortably. This disease is similar to athletics foot in human and therefore, it means proper treatment will cure the problem.

When you notice that the stallion is affected, call a veterinarian to give treatment. This condition can be treated, but rarely does it get cured. Shoeing and corrective trimming is important as it ensures that the foot is level and this gives balance. To encourage early break, Rolled toe egg bar are used. Some medications are also used to reduce pain.

The best way to help these animals is to do early prevention. Since different foot shapes are affected, it is good to maintain foot balance and heel support. This prevents foot lameness. A fetlock flexion testing is also carried out. If the problem is worsening, the veterinarian will have no option but recommending foot surgery to help restore the health.




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