Introduction
Navicular disease is a progressive and painful condition that affects the horse’s hoof and the navicular bone. If not treated, it can cause long-term disability and is the most common cause of horse lameness. This article will explain how to prevent and treat horse navicular diseases. It includes proper hoof care, management, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Causes and Prevention of Navicular Disease
Poor hoof care, poor conformation and sudden changes in diet can all lead to navicular disease. It is essential to ensure your horse’s hooves receive regular and adequate care. This includes trimming and shoeing. It is also important to address any problems related to diet and conformation that may increase your horse’s risk of developing navicular diseases.
Proper hoof care
Horses with navicular disease must be properly cared for. Regular trimming and balancing of the hooves is essential. Horses also need to be provided with the appropriate shoes, pads, boots, and footwear. Regular hoof inspections are essential to ensure that the hooves are free from infection and inflammation. Any problems should be addressed as soon as possible.
Hoof Conformation
Poor conformation can increase the risk of developing navicular diseases in horses. The hoof is more susceptible to injury and stress. A qualified farrier should assess the hoof conformation of your horse and recommend corrective measures. It is also important to make sure that your horse does not have any predispositions to navicular diseases.
Management and Diet
Horses can become more susceptible to navicular diseases if they are subjected to sudden changes in their diet and management. To avoid undue stress on horses’ hooves, it is important to feed your horse a healthy and balanced diet.
Diagnoses and treatment of Navicular Disease
It is crucial to get prompt treatment for navicular diseases once it has been diagnosed. This will prevent any further injury to the horse’s hoof. There are many options available to treat navicular disease, including corrective shoeing, anti-inflammatory drugs and rest.
Rest
Horses suffering from navicular diseases should be given rest. To prevent further damage to the affected area, the horse should be kept in a stall or small paddock. This is usually done for several weeks to allow the horse’s hoof heal and the inflammation to subside.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can be used to reduce inflammation and pain caused by navicular diseases. This can reduce the chance of further injury to the hoof, and increase the horse’s comfort.
Corrective Shoeing
Corrective shoeing is an essential part of the treatment for navicular diseases. To provide extra support and cushioning for the horse’s hoof, specialized shoes, boots, pads, or boots are used. This can reduce the chance of any further damage and increase the horse’s comfort.
FAQ
What is navicular illness?
Navicular disease is a progressive and painful condition that affects the horse’s hoof and surrounding soft tissue. If not treated, it can cause long-term disability and is the most common cause of horse lameness.
What are the options for treating navicular disease?
There are three options for treating navicular diseases: rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and corrective footwear. The horse should be restrained for several weeks to allow the hoof to heal properly and the inflammation to subside. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can be used to reduce inflammation and pain caused by navicular diseases. Corrective shoeing is the use of special shoes, pads, or boots that provide extra support and cushioning for the horse’s hoof.
Conclusion
Navicular disease can be a severe and sometimes fatal condition.