Navicular Disease

[Teebo]

Hi,

Was wondering whether any one could advise me on navicular disease. I have read that it usually affects both forefeet and that the horse tends to shift weight from one foot to another. Well, I suspect it in the rear foot of a friend's horse and only one foot seems to be noticably affected. Does this then count out navicular disease or could I be right in suspecting it as the horse refuses to put the heal down, can work it out just a little once he gets going, yet is worse after exercise. I am very worried about the horse and it upsets me to see him so awkward on his foot and in pain. I would really really appreciate help? My friend is reluctant to call the vet as someone else advised her not to, seeing as though the horse is quite old - they said it's probably arthritis. Please help!


Thank you.

[Wally]

How long's he been like that?

[Mehitabel]

do try to get your friend to call the vet. no horse should be left in pain, whaterver the reason and however old it is. there is plenty that can be done for arthritis. ask her if she would tell her granny not to go tothe doctor just because she was 82, if she was in pain?

[Teebo]

Thank you both for answering.

He's been like that since my friend bought him two years ago. I have only recently got to know this person and the horse as always been like this since I've seen it. When he was first purchased, he was apparently in a bad way and had been neglected, left in a field with no care for years. I think he should be seen by a vet as well, but his owner puts a lot of trust in her friend who advised 'don't bother - he's fine!' Am very concerned for the horse who always stands without putting heel down.

[MelanieD]

There are quite a lot of things other than navicular which can cause heel pain. Would be a good idea to get a vet or good farrier/trimmer to look at the horse.

[Teebo]

She had a farrier put back shoes on him - but he still hasn't improved. :(

[Chablis]

http://www.hoofrehab.com/end_of_white_line_disease.htm#Navicular


http://www.hoofrehab.com/bootarticle.htm

[Miriam]

Teebo get in touch with Parsharainbow on here. her horse Red has navicular and has just started work again

[MelanieD]

Majority of causes of heel pain aren't automatically helped by putting shoes on, especially if not done by a very good farrier. Lot of navicular horses get sounder without shoes, but some of those are cases of blame it on navicular 'cos it's in the heel noone knows what it is. Have a good check of the frog for thrush, especially if there's a deep and minging crevice in the middle of the frog at the back, that's easy enough to treat. Otherwise I'd think it's time to get a vet out.

[horsey_woman]

Impossible to say without doing Navicular xrays.

[Teebo]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I will check out the articles and take into account the advice everyone has given and try and persuade my friend to call out the vet.

Thank you for the help.

[Nanook]

hi there. I hope you can get a vet to look at your freinds horse. My gelding was twelve when he was diagnosed. the best way to be sure is to get ex-rays done. I had to put down cheeko last thanks giving as he was getting to bad, even with a bute program. He had it in both his forefeet. One good indicater is that they walk on their toes because the nerve is being pressed on by the growth. they will often have short toes becuse of this and will often digg a whole to stand in to releive the pressure. ^.^ I hope this helps and i wish you guys luck. let us know how it turns out!

[Teebo]

Will do, thanks guys!