Treating Navicular Disease in Horses

By Patrick Cumiskey

The short explanation for Navicular Disease is that it affects the navicular bone and the tissues that surround it, causing pain, degeneration, and lameness.

Diagnosing Navicular Disease in Horses

When a diagnosis for Navicular Syndrome is rendered it will be after a veterinarian has examined the animal and looked at X-rays of the hoof. The X-rays are an important aspect in helping to rule out other possible reasons for lameness. Most vets look for the following:

1. Lameness in one or both front feet.
2. Stumbling or uncomfortable gait.
3. The horse will stand in such a way as to put more weight on the toe rather than on the heel.

Treatment of Navicular Disease in Horses

Treatment of the syndrome might incorporate the following:

* Corrective trimming
* Shortening of the toe
* Correction of the pastern axis

Aids Used in the Treatment

Egg Bar Shoes are characterized by the fact that they are actually larger than the horse's foot. Because of this more support is provided and the heel is encouraged to grow out and spread. In Navicular horses long toes and underslung heels are routinely seen. Unfortunately there are still farriers out there who hold to the idea that the shoe must fit the hoof. This is not always true, especially when it comes to treating navicular disease in horses. If the shoe is made to fit it will only result in the heel collapsing even further.

Another aid in treating this syndrome is to provide a raised heel. This helps to alleviate the pressure on the DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon), and in so doing also helps to alleviate the pain associated with Navicular Syndrome. It is important to remember however, that this should only be seen as a temporary measure and not as a permanent solution to the problem. The reason why raised heels are good on a temporary basis is because the pads ultimately encourage poor heel shape.

Frog support shoes, which were developed in Germany, have been met with positive acclaim. It is crucial to provide frog support, but most shoes that are used, including the aforementioned Egg Bar shoes, do not provide the support that is necessary. Because these shoes do provide that support their development is very exciting.

Other Treatment Options

Aside from the treatments already looked at, controlled exercise on a suitable surface is recommended. Navicular Horses actually recover sooner if they are exercised, in a limited and controlled manner, because this encourages blood flow to the area. It is important however that jumping is avoided.

Medications such as Metacam and Equipalazone certainly have their place, but they should be used judiciously. Isoxuprine Paste is no longer available in some countries due to the fact that it is rather controversial in nature. Nevertheless Isoxuprine Paste can be useful when treating Navicular Disease in Horses.

Navicular Bursa injections have also been used to some success. This is a useful treatment however, there is a level of risk involved if the horse were to suddenly move the foot during the treatment process, because the needle actually passes directly into the navicular bursa and can result in a tear to the deep digital flexor tendon.

A relatively new development in the treatment for Navicular Syndrome is Platelet Rich Plasma or Stem Cell Therapy. This is one treatment that is very beneficial in treating tears in the DDFT as well as the Navicular Bursa and the Coffin Bone. It promotes healing by using a concentrated solution of platelets taken from the horse's own blood. This concentrated solution is injected into the affected area and encourages the tear in the tendon to heal more quickly.

Horses with Navicular Syndrome should not be confined to their stables, but should rather be exercised in a controlled fashion. However, it is vital that a correct diagnosis is made, because if there is a tear in the DDFT it will be exacerbated by exercise, whereas Navicular Syndrome responds well to mild exercise. If a tear in the tendon has indeed been confirmed stable rest is most definitely recommended to prevent further damage.

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