Focus on Navicular Syndrome
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Depending on the breed of equine you typically enjoy, navicular syndrome may be part of your daily life, or you may have never heard of it before. Navicular disease is one of the most common causes of chronic forelimb lameness in athletic horses. Luckily, with proper identification and knowledgeable treatment, navicular syndrome doesn’t have to mean having a lame horse or sending him into immediate retirement. In this edition we’ll learn:
- What Navicular Syndrome is
- The most common causes of Navicular Syndrome
- The Signs and Symptoms of Navicular Syndrome
- Treatment and Management of Navicular Syndrome
Our Soft Ride team always strives to keep your horse healthy and comfortable. We hope having a basic understanding of navicular syndrome can help identify and manage any potential issues.
Soft Ride Team
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What is Navicular Syndrome?
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© Dr. Christoph von Horst
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Navicular syndrome, also known as navicular disease, is a chronic and progressive condition affecting the navicular bone and associated structures in a horse's hoof. This small, boat-shaped bone located in the horse's foot plays a crucial role in proper limb function and movement. When this bone and the surrounding tissues become damaged or inflamed, it can lead to significant pain and lameness. The exact causes of navicular syndrome can vary, but it is generally understood to be the result of a combination of genetic, biomechanical, and environmental factors.
Navicular syndrome is most commonly seen in middle-aged horses and is more prevalent in breeds known for their athletic prowess. The syndrome typically presents as intermittent lameness that often shifts between the front limbs. Horses affected by navicular syndrome may show signs of discomfort when moving on hard surfaces or during turns.
The condition can be quite challenging to diagnose due to the complex anatomy of the hoof and the subtlety of early symptoms. Diagnosis often involves a combination of clinical examination, imaging techniques such as X-rays or MRI, and sometimes therapeutic trials to pinpoint the source of lameness. While navicular syndrome cannot be completely cured, early detection and a comprehensive management plan can significantly improve a horse's quality of life and prolong its active years.
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Most Common Causes of Navicular Syndrome
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Navicular syndrome in horses comes from a combination of various factors. One of the primary causes is hereditary predisposition; some breeds, like Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Warmbloods, are more prone to developing the condition due to their genetic makeup. This genetic predisposition can lead to structural abnormalities in the navicular bone and surrounding tissues, making them more susceptible to injury and degeneration.
Biomechanical stress is another significant contributor to navicular syndrome. Horses that engage in high-impact activities such as jumping, racing, or extensive specialized training, often place excessive strain on their navicular bone and its supporting structures. Poor conformation, such as having a long toe and low heel, can exacerbate this stress by altering the natural biomechanics of the hoof and increasing the load on the navicular area.
Environmental factors also play a crucial role. Poor hoof care, such as inconsistent trimming and shoeing, can lead to uneven weight distribution and increased pressure on the navicular bone. Hard or uneven surfaces can further aggravate the condition by causing repetitive trauma to the hoof. Additionally, failing to provide adequate support and balance to the hoof structures can contribute to the development of navicular syndrome.
Understanding these common causes helps in the prevention and management of navicular syndrome. Regular veterinary and farrier check-ups, proper hoof care, and appropriate training practices tailored to the individual horse's needs are also an important part of preventing or managing navicular syndrome.
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Signs and Symptoms of Navicular Syndrome
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© Dr. Christoph von Horst
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Signs and Symptoms:
- Intermittent lameness
- Shifting lameness between front limbs
- Pain on palpation of the frog or heel
- Stumbling or tripping
- Shortened stride
- Reluctance to move on hard surfaces
- Increased lameness after work
- Standing with pointed toe to relieve pressure
- Heat in the hoof
- Swelling around the pastern area
Identifying signs and symptoms of navicular syndrome in your horse involves careful observation and understanding of their typical movement patterns and behavior. Intermittent lameness is one of the earliest signs, often appearing as a subtle, irregular gait or a noticeable limp that shifts between the front limbs. This lameness may become more pronounced after exercise or work, indicating that the horse is experiencing discomfort during or after physical activity.
Another common symptom is pain upon palpation of the frog or heel area. If your horse shows discomfort when these areas are pressed, it may suggest navicular syndrome.
A shortened stride and reluctance to move on hard surfaces are also indicative of navicular syndrome. Horses with this condition often avoid putting full weight on their affected limbs, resulting in a cautious or shortened gait. Additionally, they may stand with one front foot pointed forward to relieve pressure on the painful hoof.
Monitoring for heat in the hoof and any swelling around the pastern area can provide further clues. These signs suggest inflammation, which is a key component of navicular syndrome. Regularly checking your horse’s feet and being aware of any changes in their movement or behavior can aid in early detection and management of this condition.
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Most Common Treatments for Navicular Syndrome
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Corrective Shoeing and Trimming: This involves adjusting the horse’s hoof angle and using specialized shoeing techniques to reduce stress on the navicular bone. Proper trimming and shoeing can help improve the horse’s gait and reduce pain. The SoftRider shoes can help alleviate some navicular pain due to the rolled breakover, center-loading platform, and dual density material used to construct the shoes which helps to increase circulation and dampen concussive force.
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Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to manage pain and inflammation. In some cases, corticosteroid injections directly into the affected area can provide more targeted relief.
Exercise Management: Controlled exercise programs tailored to the horse’s condition can help maintain joint mobility and muscle strength without exacerbating symptoms. Avoiding hard surfaces and minimizing high-impact activities can also be helpful.
Physical Therapy: Techniques such as cold therapy (icing) and therapeutic ultrasound can reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected area. Regular physical therapy can complement other treatments to improve overall outcomes.
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Surgical Interventions: In severe cases, surgical options like a palmar digital neurectomy (cutting the nerves to the affected area) may be considered to provide pain relief. This procedure is usually a last resort when other treatments have failed.
Nutritional Supplements: Supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and omega-3 fatty acids can support joint health and reduce inflammation, potentially slowing the progression of the disease.
Implementing these treatments requires a comprehensive approach tailored to each horse’s specific needs. Collaboration between the owner, veterinarian, and farrier, and a combination of these strategies can help manage navicular syndrome effectively, improving the horse’s comfort and quality of life.
Learn more about navicular syndrome at these resource pages:
https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/PV1110_waguespack_Surgical.pdf
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/navicular-disease-in-horses
https://thehorse.com/1104509/a-fresh-look-at-the-causes-of-navicular-disease/
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Where you can see us this Summer:
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Texas Equine Veterinary Association Summer Symposium
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This conference will provide continuing education and wet lab opportunities for veterinarians and vet students. Soft Ride’s sponsorship helps allow 72 students to attend the conference. The conference includes dozens of equine practices from across the state of Texas
Event Information:
Fort Worth, Texas
August 1-3, 2024
The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel
200 Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
https://www.texasequineva.com/continuing-education
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Equine Sports Medicine Symposium
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This conference will focus on understanding equestrian surfaces for the modern-day sport horses, addressing sport medicine in foot related injuries, and the role of therapeutic shoeing in relation to today’s footing surfaces. It will feature speakers Dr Raul Bras DVM, Curtis Burns, APF-I, Dr Lars Roepstorff DVM, and many others.
Event Information:
Pittsboro North Carolina
August 23 & 24
Chatham County Convention Center
https://equinesportsmedicinesymposium.com/register
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