The navicular bone is found in the ankle region between two other bones; the cuneiform and talus. In horses, this bone together with the surrounding supportive structures may degenerate leading to progressive lameness. The front feet are more frequently affected than the hind feet. Understanding the anatomy of the forelimb is important if you are to manage navicular disease successfully.
The cause of this condition is not clear but there are a number of theories that exist. One of this theories purports that the disease is the result of repetitive movements of the bone and the surrounding structures. This is what is used to explain the high prevalence of the condition among horses that take part in competitive races. Diet and genetic disorders are the other major contributing factors.
Inflammation of surrounding ligaments reduces blood flow to the bone and increased pressure in the hoof. The earliest sign is heel pain and lameness follows within days or weeks and progresses in severity over time. Typically, the horses start exhibiting a tip-toeing gait as they attempt to exert pressure on the heel. They lose coordination and stumble frequently. Lameness may affect one or both feet with the second being involved due to overcompensation.
It has been shown through research that there are a number of conformational defects that contribute to the problem. Most of these defects are those that make the feet more prone to concussion. Narrow and upright feet, long toes, small feet and upright pasterns are some of the examples. All these conformations increase the pressure that is exerted on the navicular bone. Shock absorption happens only to a certain extent beyond which the rest is transmitted to tissues causing damage.
Working on hard, irregular terrains is considered a major risk factor. Such terrain places a huge amount of stress on the main tendons and increases wear and tear. If this happens for a sustained period of time, the navicular bone may be exposed. This risk is also present among horses that spend a long time in an upright position. In the standing position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the hooves.
Poor shoe selection is another common cause of lameness. This problem is more common in domesticated then wild horses. It is for this reason that some experts have recommended barefoot trimming as opposed to the use of shoes. In the absence of shoes, they argue, feet can contract and expand freely allowing for blood to circulate freely.
Since the causes are numerous, it is not possible to come up with one form of treatment. For the diseases that are a result of degenerative changes, reversal of the damage is virtually impossible and the focus is mainly on symptomatic relief. The feet should be properly trimmed to achieve biomechanical and neurological balance. Another supportive measure is to reduce the work performed by the horse.
There is room for pharmacotherapy. Drugs that improve blood flow such as vasodilators have been shown to be beneficial in some cases. Other groups of drugs that are useful include corticosteroids, NSAIDs, bisphosphonates and gallium nitrate. Surgery is reserved for cases that fail to respond to conservative therapies.
The cause of this condition is not clear but there are a number of theories that exist. One of this theories purports that the disease is the result of repetitive movements of the bone and the surrounding structures. This is what is used to explain the high prevalence of the condition among horses that take part in competitive races. Diet and genetic disorders are the other major contributing factors.
Inflammation of surrounding ligaments reduces blood flow to the bone and increased pressure in the hoof. The earliest sign is heel pain and lameness follows within days or weeks and progresses in severity over time. Typically, the horses start exhibiting a tip-toeing gait as they attempt to exert pressure on the heel. They lose coordination and stumble frequently. Lameness may affect one or both feet with the second being involved due to overcompensation.
It has been shown through research that there are a number of conformational defects that contribute to the problem. Most of these defects are those that make the feet more prone to concussion. Narrow and upright feet, long toes, small feet and upright pasterns are some of the examples. All these conformations increase the pressure that is exerted on the navicular bone. Shock absorption happens only to a certain extent beyond which the rest is transmitted to tissues causing damage.
Working on hard, irregular terrains is considered a major risk factor. Such terrain places a huge amount of stress on the main tendons and increases wear and tear. If this happens for a sustained period of time, the navicular bone may be exposed. This risk is also present among horses that spend a long time in an upright position. In the standing position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the hooves.
Poor shoe selection is another common cause of lameness. This problem is more common in domesticated then wild horses. It is for this reason that some experts have recommended barefoot trimming as opposed to the use of shoes. In the absence of shoes, they argue, feet can contract and expand freely allowing for blood to circulate freely.
Since the causes are numerous, it is not possible to come up with one form of treatment. For the diseases that are a result of degenerative changes, reversal of the damage is virtually impossible and the focus is mainly on symptomatic relief. The feet should be properly trimmed to achieve biomechanical and neurological balance. Another supportive measure is to reduce the work performed by the horse.
There is room for pharmacotherapy. Drugs that improve blood flow such as vasodilators have been shown to be beneficial in some cases. Other groups of drugs that are useful include corticosteroids, NSAIDs, bisphosphonates and gallium nitrate. Surgery is reserved for cases that fail to respond to conservative therapies.
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