navicular disease in horses

3 min read 18-03-2025

Meta Description: Discover everything about navicular disease in horses: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies. Learn how to identify this debilitating condition and improve your horse's quality of life. (158 characters)

What is Navicular Disease?

Navicular disease is a debilitating condition affecting the navicular bone in a horse's foot. This small, sesamoid bone sits behind the coffin bone, playing a crucial role in the intricate mechanics of the hoof. The disease encompasses a range of problems, primarily involving inflammation and degeneration of the navicular bone, its supporting ligaments, and the surrounding soft tissues. It's a significant cause of lameness in horses, particularly those used for riding and other demanding activities.

Understanding the Anatomy and the Problem

To grasp navicular disease, understanding the anatomy is key. The navicular bone acts as a pulley for the deep digital flexor tendon, which helps the horse flex its hoof. Problems arise when this bone and its supporting structures are subjected to excessive stress, leading to inflammation, bone changes, and eventually, chronic pain. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but contributing factors include conformation (the horse's structure), repetitive stress, and poor hoof care.

Common Symptoms of Navicular Disease

Identifying navicular disease early can be challenging, as symptoms often develop gradually. However, keep an eye out for these indicators:

Lameness: This is typically subtle at first, often more noticeable in one hind limb after exercise. The lameness may worsen over time.
Shortened Stride: Horses with navicular disease may show a shorter, choppy stride, particularly on hard surfaces.
Pain on Palpation: A veterinarian might detect pain when palpating (feeling) the navicular area of the hoof.
Foot Sensitivity: The horse may show increased sensitivity when its feet are handled or when pressure is applied to the navicular area.
Stance Changes: The horse may alter its weight-bearing stance to relieve pressure on the affected foot.
Increased Sensitivity to Turning: Tight turns or quick changes in direction might elicit more noticeable lameness.

Diagnosing Navicular Disease

Diagnosing navicular disease requires a thorough veterinary examination. Your veterinarian will assess your horse's gait, palpate the foot, and may employ several diagnostic tools:

Radiography (X-rays): X-rays provide images of the navicular bone, revealing any signs of bone changes, such as cysts or fractures.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound can assess the soft tissues surrounding the navicular bone, detecting inflammation or other abnormalities.
Nerve Blocks: A local anesthetic is injected near the navicular bone. If the lameness improves after the injection, it suggests navicular involvement.

Treatment Options for Navicular Disease

Treatment focuses on managing pain and inflammation, and improving the horse's comfort and function. Options include:

Rest: Complete rest is crucial in the early stages to allow the affected tissues to heal.
Shoeing: Specialized shoeing techniques can help redistribute weight and reduce stress on the navicular bone. This might involve using pads, wedges, or rolled toes.
Pharmaceuticals: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and inflammation. Other medications might be used to address specific issues.
Therapy: Therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, magnetic therapy, or extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) can aid in healing.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be considered as a last resort, though it’s not always successful.

Managing Navicular Disease Long-Term

Even with treatment, navicular disease is often a chronic condition. Long-term management involves:

Regular Veterinary Checkups: Regular monitoring is vital to assess the horse’s progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Consistent Farrier Care: Regular hoof trimming and shoeing by a skilled farrier are crucial to maintaining proper hoof balance and reducing stress on the navicular bone.
Appropriate Exercise: Controlled exercise, tailored to the horse's condition, can help maintain muscle tone and overall fitness without exacerbating the problem.
Supplements: Some supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, may support joint health and cartilage function. However, always consult your vet before adding supplements.

Prevention of Navicular Disease

While there's no guaranteed way to prevent navicular disease, certain measures can reduce the risk:

Proper Hoof Care: Maintain healthy hooves through regular trimming and shoeing.
Balanced Diet: Provide a balanced diet to support bone and joint health.
Appropriate Exercise: Avoid overworking the horse, especially on hard surfaces.
Careful Selection of Breeding Stock: Consider the conformation of breeding horses, selecting those with less predisposition to navicular problems.

Navicular disease is a serious condition requiring careful management. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve a horse's quality of life and allow them to continue their work or leisure activities at a comfortable level. Remember, consulting with your veterinarian is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of this complex condition.