Understanding The Navicular Disease In Horses: Diagnosis And Management
By Francis Riggs When the horse owner suspects the navicular syndrome as the cause of lameness in their horse, they often go into the mode of fear. In fact, some people even shy away from the horse, making it look like it is suffering from some contagious diseases. It is important to understand that the navicular disease in horses is not terminal and most horses that are diagnosed with this condition are able to be brought back to their previous performance with proper management of the condition. It is most common in the forelimb but can also occur in the hind feet. Normally, the lameness is just slight or moderate and it is on the rare occasion where the lameness gets severe. It is a disease that is more common with the horses than the ponies. In addition to this, it is most noticed in the horses that have the typical thoroughbred-like foot conformation such as long toes, or low and collapsed heels. The other risk facts include work that involves lots of jumping as well as lot...