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How Navicular Pain Affects Horses

By Lelia Hall


Navicular syndrome is an infection emanating in inflammation of a navicular bone and surrounding tissues. The front feet of the horse are affected. Degeneration happens during subjection to frequent compression. The cartilage is forced to flatten becoming less springy or shock absorbing. This syndrome is the cause of navicular pain in the heel which soon leads to lameness in athletic horses.

A sick horse shows it is feeling pain through avoiding pressure on the bone and transferring this pressure to its toe. A sick horse will also take longer to stop. As it stands still, the ailing horse shifts its standing position. It does this ease pressure on its painful bone. It is comforting for the horse.

The positive diagnosis is confirmed through clinical signs and radiography. A professional veterinarian gives the requisite treatment to a horse on pin pointing the disease via x-rays. Physically examining a hoof area of a sick horse also confirms the presence of the problem. An infected horse will reveal clear signs which enable the veterinarian make a full positive diagnosis.

Testers applied on the painful spot will reveal that the horse is indeed sick with the syndrome. A flinching response will correspond directly to the application of pressure on a sick navicular bone. The most affected hoof of a horse will appear smaller in comparison with the apparent healthier hoof. This is because the horses will constantly shift weight to the deceptively healthier leg.

The level of normal performance in the horses activities can be regained to the original levels. This is if proper treatment and care are administered. The disease is treatable and, therefore, not terminal. When a human track event athlete develops bad feet, it does not mean they shall never run again. It just means they become aware about their affliction and, therefore, take the proper care of their affected feet. The same situation is comparable to horses afflicted with the syndrome.

The malady infects both front feet of a horse. The initial examination could identify only one of these legs as afflicted. Soon, however, the nervous system of other leg is blockaded giving the appearance that this horse is limping using the other leg. The limping is the red flag a veterinarian uses to pinpoint the syndrome presence.

The basis for treating the disease rests on picking the right shoes for the particular horse concerned. Frequent corrective shoe adjustments should not be made. This is because horses are infected with the use of faulty under-run or long shoes. One of the best techniques to correct the ailment involves balancing the hooves front to back and from one side to the other. The result is the easing of pain for a sick horse. Both front hooves should be made parallel with a pastern line and the back of the shoe.

Isoxsuprine is another good remedial option to take. It has proved quite successful so far in treating this syndrome. It promotes blood flow and circulation. It also assists in blood vessels dilution upon an afflicted navicular bone. Good exercise also enhances blood circulation.




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