Shoeing the navicular horse.

[copper76]

Can anyone help me with the type of shoes they would recommened for a horse with suspected navicular other than eggbar shoes.He had eggbar shoes for 5 months being shod every 3-4 weeks but was advised that these shoes were unneccesary for him as he doesn't have collapsed heels-in fact he has very good feet but has slightly turned in toes (they are straightening out now due to a change in farrier)I would be intrested to hear of any shoe or shoeing methods that could help with good foot balance and top help keep his heels wider.He4 is currenly in normal shoes..Also if anyone has any info on any other treatment for suspected navicular then I would be very grateful.Also,is it normal for a horse to stay sounder thw harder work he is in as this seems to be true with mine!!??
Thanks!!

[Wally]

Ponyvet may put me righ here but:

To avoid pain the horse may go a bit on his toes, the more pressure on his heels the more it hurts him. A rolled toe to help breakover will help along with a bit of a wedged or thicker heel. A bar shoe may make it more painful for him.

I'm not sure if grooving the heels is a recommended course of treatment, but this used to be the case. Long burns or cuts at 90 degrees to the coronet are used right down to the shoe from the coronary band. 3 or 4 grooves from the heel to about one third of the way around the hoof. Some seem to think this helps the heels expand again, but as Navicular is incurable some say not to bother.

I'd get a definite diagnosis, what you spend on a vet's fee will pay you back in shoeing if he does not have the desease.

[ponyvet]

You've hit the clenches there wally! Rolled toe and wedge heels are fine if you don't want an egg bar. i try both, some horses like one more than the other. That's the thing with navicular, it's just not predictable.

As far as improving soundness goes - don't complain!!! I'd be thrilled to see one get more sound, and the work seems to be helping him, so go with it. Remember to take it easy with him, and pay attention if he says he's had enough - unless your gut feeling is he's being lazy of course!

I have an article with some info on newer treatments for navicular which I will find for you and let you know.

[copper76]

TAHNKS PONY VET-I WOULD BE REALLY INTRESTED IN THE ARTICLE!!

[Alison+Rio]

My horse has navicular. After having him diagnosed I was told that there was a different shoe I could try on him. This is called a Tennesse shoe. Its like a wedge but it seems to have helped Rio. I dont know how many farriers are able to put this new shoes on, but it is worth asking your vet. The shoes are very expensive though, about £90 per pair.

[ponyvet]

That's exactly the same type of shoe wally and I were talking about. The name tennessee is only if your farrier buys it from one particular company, and if he buys his shoes from another one it's got a different name. (no shoes are not all made by the farrier, you buy them ready made now and fit them on.)

[sapphi&Poppy]

I have a horse with navicular too. She wore the bar shoes untill they didn't work any more. Anti inflamintory's like devil's claw,yucca. Their are these shoes that are allunium which have a rasied heel in the back. Bute works but, they have side effects. I used that when I ride her. Also at the tack store I shop at they had this new stuff called Flex +. It seems to be working. Right now my horse has no shoes, and actually she walks better, but all horses are different. I hope u find an effective way for your horse.:)