Degeneration of the navicular bone in horses is a common ailment in horses. Officially known as navicular syndrome or caudal heel pain, the degeneration and associated inflammation can cause significant lameness and can become disabling too. However, the syndrome is not terminal and if diagnosed early and treated well, the horse feels better.
For an early diagnosis, a horseman should look out for certain signs and symptoms. The first sign is while walking, a sick horse will tend to rest heavily on its toe instead of the usual heel which is already inflamed and painful. The horseman should also notice if the horse takes longer to stop the stride, which is as a result of the new pressure on the toe.
Another sign to look out for is whether the pony shifts its weight from time to time while standing. If the pony is sick of caudal heel pain, it will continually shift weight in an effort to remove pressure from the heel and relieve the pain. The continuous shifting of weight causes the shoulders to grow lame and the gait to become rough. In addition, the horse will walk demonstrating lameness which gets better only after resting.
At the sight of such symptoms, a horseman should contact a veterinary doctor. They will perform some tests to help in diagnosis of caudal heel pain. There are several tests carried out to determine whether a horse is suffering from the syndrome. A hoof tester, for example, works by applying pressure on the frog area. The pressure causes pain in the inflamed area and the pony flinches.
Another tool for the diagnosis is a local anesthesia. The anesthesia works by severing nerve supply in the affected area and therefore relieving pain. If the pony has a paining heel, it will walk normally until the anesthesia wears off and the lameness comes back. If the syndrome was not responsible for the lameness, then the horse will still be lame even after the anesthesia.
So what treatment options are available? There are several treatment options for this pain which range from conservation to aggressive. They include the use of medication, therapeutic shoeing and surgery. The response to treatment is unpredictable and therefore, it is more effective to work gradually up from the conservative options to the most drastic. If one works better than the other, the pony will give a positive response.
Therapeutic shoeing relieves pressure on the heels and therefore pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylybutazone are prescribed. Vasodilators can also be used to increase blood flow to the diseased areas. Surgical treatment is more reliable and has been used for many years to treat caudal heel pain. The procedure involves severing the nerves around the back of its foot to stop sensation in that area. It provides pain relief but for a limited time because the nerves may re-grow.
Caudal heel pain affects most breeds of horses, although the incidence is highest in thoroughbreds and warm-bloods while Arabians are rarely affected. Despite the fact that navicular disease does not favor the outlook for horses, early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the suffering of the horse. Also, if you are lucky and depending on the severity, the horse should continue its service.
For an early diagnosis, a horseman should look out for certain signs and symptoms. The first sign is while walking, a sick horse will tend to rest heavily on its toe instead of the usual heel which is already inflamed and painful. The horseman should also notice if the horse takes longer to stop the stride, which is as a result of the new pressure on the toe.
Another sign to look out for is whether the pony shifts its weight from time to time while standing. If the pony is sick of caudal heel pain, it will continually shift weight in an effort to remove pressure from the heel and relieve the pain. The continuous shifting of weight causes the shoulders to grow lame and the gait to become rough. In addition, the horse will walk demonstrating lameness which gets better only after resting.
At the sight of such symptoms, a horseman should contact a veterinary doctor. They will perform some tests to help in diagnosis of caudal heel pain. There are several tests carried out to determine whether a horse is suffering from the syndrome. A hoof tester, for example, works by applying pressure on the frog area. The pressure causes pain in the inflamed area and the pony flinches.
Another tool for the diagnosis is a local anesthesia. The anesthesia works by severing nerve supply in the affected area and therefore relieving pain. If the pony has a paining heel, it will walk normally until the anesthesia wears off and the lameness comes back. If the syndrome was not responsible for the lameness, then the horse will still be lame even after the anesthesia.
So what treatment options are available? There are several treatment options for this pain which range from conservation to aggressive. They include the use of medication, therapeutic shoeing and surgery. The response to treatment is unpredictable and therefore, it is more effective to work gradually up from the conservative options to the most drastic. If one works better than the other, the pony will give a positive response.
Therapeutic shoeing relieves pressure on the heels and therefore pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylybutazone are prescribed. Vasodilators can also be used to increase blood flow to the diseased areas. Surgical treatment is more reliable and has been used for many years to treat caudal heel pain. The procedure involves severing the nerves around the back of its foot to stop sensation in that area. It provides pain relief but for a limited time because the nerves may re-grow.
Caudal heel pain affects most breeds of horses, although the incidence is highest in thoroughbreds and warm-bloods while Arabians are rarely affected. Despite the fact that navicular disease does not favor the outlook for horses, early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the suffering of the horse. Also, if you are lucky and depending on the severity, the horse should continue its service.
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