I own a homebred 16.3hh TB x ID Gelding, he is 21 yrs old. As horses lives go, he has had an easy time, with fun in all aspects, but no excessive work.
I had him with me up until 1997 when I had my second child and he went out on loan, with me keeping in constant touch with him, he is now in his 3rd loan home and the home he will probably spend the rest of his life with,I have an excellent agreement with the loanee and up until now, there hasn't been a problem.
He started to trip and stumble about 6 weeks ago, I suggested the farrier was called and his shoes adjusted, but was told it was his shoulder and not his feet, not wishing to undermind the loanee, I left it until I could speak to the Vet. Meanwhile he had a bad stumble and the rider fell off, the Vet was called out and doing just a pressure test of the sole, Navicular was diagnosed. Apparently the Vet asked if he had well fitted tack and it was pointed out that 10 years ago he was ridden in a saddle which was later found out to have a broken tree and the Vet has said that the broken tree has caused the Navicular .
I am a BHSAI, have worked in riding schools and racing yards as well as owning my own horses for over 30 years and I have never once heard about ill fitting tack causing an athritis based disease, can this really be true ?
Whatever the reason, the Vet has said there is no need for blood tests etc etc as she has confirmed the disease, we are now just faced with treating it, he has been put on bute with a possibility of warfarin being added later on.
Has anyone got any good, positive news about Navicular, anything which has helped your own horse ?, I have been told magnetic boots may help, but has this been proven ?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
I had him with me up until 1997 when I had my second child and he went out on loan, with me keeping in constant touch with him, he is now in his 3rd loan home and the home he will probably spend the rest of his life with,I have an excellent agreement with the loanee and up until now, there hasn't been a problem.
He started to trip and stumble about 6 weeks ago, I suggested the farrier was called and his shoes adjusted, but was told it was his shoulder and not his feet, not wishing to undermind the loanee, I left it until I could speak to the Vet. Meanwhile he had a bad stumble and the rider fell off, the Vet was called out and doing just a pressure test of the sole, Navicular was diagnosed. Apparently the Vet asked if he had well fitted tack and it was pointed out that 10 years ago he was ridden in a saddle which was later found out to have a broken tree and the Vet has said that the broken tree has caused the Navicular .
I am a BHSAI, have worked in riding schools and racing yards as well as owning my own horses for over 30 years and I have never once heard about ill fitting tack causing an athritis based disease, can this really be true ?
Whatever the reason, the Vet has said there is no need for blood tests etc etc as she has confirmed the disease, we are now just faced with treating it, he has been put on bute with a possibility of warfarin being added later on.
Has anyone got any good, positive news about Navicular, anything which has helped your own horse ?, I have been told magnetic boots may help, but has this been proven ?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.