Navicular is known to be a disease in horses that can be managed if the diagnosis and treatment are done in good time. It mainly affects the front feet where the navicular bone and its surrounding tissues become inflamed and degraded. The most severe cases are characterized by significant lameness in the animal. Navicular pain should not cause unnecessary alarm as it can be controlled using various ways.
Diagnosis of the disease can be done by looking at both radiographic and clinical signs. This means that a veterinarian can tell there is a problem by looking at x-rays of the hoof area was well as direct observation in a physical examination. These x-rays are however the most efficient as they help rule out other possible causes of this pain.
Some of the signs of this syndrome include; the horse will tend to bring the legs partly forward in order to land on the toe as opposed to the heel causing limping, the horse will give a painful response when hoof testers are applied across the middle third of the frog and presence of long toes and under slung toes that often leads to this disease than any other.
Horses thought to suffer from the condition will be lame on both front legs but will seem lame o one leg when examinations are first carried out. This phenomenon occurs as soon as there is nerve blockage in one leg and the horse limps on the opposite leg to ease the pain. This is the most important indication that the horse may be having the disease.
The basis for treatment of the navicular syndrome should be correct shoeing rather than corrective shoeing. Horse owners should be aware of the rules of hoof balancing that is done from the front to back, then side to side. On the other hand, front hooves should be parallel to their pastern while back ones on the other hand should be aligned parallel to the pastern.
Long toes that cause under slung can be easily rectified by trimming them away which is the most apparent problem for affected horses. The heel can also be corrected although it is a difficult approach as the shoe must be extended backward to the right location it is supposed to have been if the heels were not worn out which is probably the cause of these complications.
Drug therapy is also important in treating the syndrome that must be combined with other methods. The most successful drug that has been use for the disease is known as Isoxuprine which dilates the blood vessels causing better circulation to navicular bones. About 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease can be cured by it according to reports.
The other aspect of treatment is exercise as it is the best way to improve blood circulation in the foot. The horse should be trained to bear more weight on the hind legs. Riders use the long and low exercise in an effort to achieve the same. As the horse becomes more used to this habit, the weight bearing will move from the front legs to hind legs thus avoiding pain.
Diagnosis of the disease can be done by looking at both radiographic and clinical signs. This means that a veterinarian can tell there is a problem by looking at x-rays of the hoof area was well as direct observation in a physical examination. These x-rays are however the most efficient as they help rule out other possible causes of this pain.
Some of the signs of this syndrome include; the horse will tend to bring the legs partly forward in order to land on the toe as opposed to the heel causing limping, the horse will give a painful response when hoof testers are applied across the middle third of the frog and presence of long toes and under slung toes that often leads to this disease than any other.
Horses thought to suffer from the condition will be lame on both front legs but will seem lame o one leg when examinations are first carried out. This phenomenon occurs as soon as there is nerve blockage in one leg and the horse limps on the opposite leg to ease the pain. This is the most important indication that the horse may be having the disease.
The basis for treatment of the navicular syndrome should be correct shoeing rather than corrective shoeing. Horse owners should be aware of the rules of hoof balancing that is done from the front to back, then side to side. On the other hand, front hooves should be parallel to their pastern while back ones on the other hand should be aligned parallel to the pastern.
Long toes that cause under slung can be easily rectified by trimming them away which is the most apparent problem for affected horses. The heel can also be corrected although it is a difficult approach as the shoe must be extended backward to the right location it is supposed to have been if the heels were not worn out which is probably the cause of these complications.
Drug therapy is also important in treating the syndrome that must be combined with other methods. The most successful drug that has been use for the disease is known as Isoxuprine which dilates the blood vessels causing better circulation to navicular bones. About 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease can be cured by it according to reports.
The other aspect of treatment is exercise as it is the best way to improve blood circulation in the foot. The horse should be trained to bear more weight on the hind legs. Riders use the long and low exercise in an effort to achieve the same. As the horse becomes more used to this habit, the weight bearing will move from the front legs to hind legs thus avoiding pain.
About the Author:
Discover the effects of navicular pain on horses and how to seek treatment. To check the facts and symptoms, go to this site http://www.naviculardisease.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment