The navicular bone is a tarsal bone located in the ankle joint between the talus and the cuneiform. This bone may be damaged in some cases. The commonest disease of this bone causes lameness in horses that mainly affects the forefeet. Having some knowledge of the foot anatomy is vital to understanding the management of navicular disease.
The cause of this condition is not clear but there are a number of theories that exist. One of this theories purports that the disease is the result of repetitive movements of the bone and the surrounding structures. This is what is used to explain the high prevalence of the condition among horses that take part in competitive races. Diet and genetic disorders are the other major contributing factors.
Due to inflammation that occurs in the region, there is a reduction in blood flow and increased pressure in the hoof. There is intense pain in the heel that causes lameness to set in. Initially, the lameness is intermittent but tends to be constant as time progresses. In an attempt to transfer pressure to the anterior aspect of the hoof, horses take on a tip-toeing gait. They will be seen to stumble every now and them.
Research has shown that some horses have inherent conformational defects that predispose them to the problem. The defects increase the risk of concussion and bone damage. Some of the defects include narrow and upright fees, upright pasterns, long toes and small feet. With any of these features, the pressure received at the tarsal bones is massive and potentially destructive. During movement, not all the shock is absorbed.
Working on hard, irregular terrains is considered a major risk factor. Such terrain places a huge amount of stress on the main tendons and increases wear and tear. If this happens for a sustained period of time, the navicular bone may be exposed. This risk is also present among horses that spend a long time in an upright position. In the standing position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the hooves.
Poor shoe selection is another common cause of lameness. This problem is more common in domesticated then wild horses. It is for this reason that some experts have recommended barefoot trimming as opposed to the use of shoes. In the absence of shoes, they argue, feet can contract and expand freely allowing for blood to circulate freely.
Since the causes are numerous, it is not possible to come up with one form of treatment. For the diseases that are a result of degenerative changes, reversal of the damage is virtually impossible and the focus is mainly on symptomatic relief. The feet should be properly trimmed to achieve biomechanical and neurological balance. Another supportive measure is to reduce the work performed by the horse.
Drugs also have a role to play. Drugs known as vasodilators help to maintain the patency of blood vessels and maintain blood flow to the affected regions. Other groups of drugs that have been shown to have beneficial effects include gallium nitrate, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids and NSAIDS. Surgery is performed when all the other conservative measures have proved futile.
The cause of this condition is not clear but there are a number of theories that exist. One of this theories purports that the disease is the result of repetitive movements of the bone and the surrounding structures. This is what is used to explain the high prevalence of the condition among horses that take part in competitive races. Diet and genetic disorders are the other major contributing factors.
Due to inflammation that occurs in the region, there is a reduction in blood flow and increased pressure in the hoof. There is intense pain in the heel that causes lameness to set in. Initially, the lameness is intermittent but tends to be constant as time progresses. In an attempt to transfer pressure to the anterior aspect of the hoof, horses take on a tip-toeing gait. They will be seen to stumble every now and them.
Research has shown that some horses have inherent conformational defects that predispose them to the problem. The defects increase the risk of concussion and bone damage. Some of the defects include narrow and upright fees, upright pasterns, long toes and small feet. With any of these features, the pressure received at the tarsal bones is massive and potentially destructive. During movement, not all the shock is absorbed.
Working on hard, irregular terrains is considered a major risk factor. Such terrain places a huge amount of stress on the main tendons and increases wear and tear. If this happens for a sustained period of time, the navicular bone may be exposed. This risk is also present among horses that spend a long time in an upright position. In the standing position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the hooves.
Poor shoe selection is another common cause of lameness. This problem is more common in domesticated then wild horses. It is for this reason that some experts have recommended barefoot trimming as opposed to the use of shoes. In the absence of shoes, they argue, feet can contract and expand freely allowing for blood to circulate freely.
Since the causes are numerous, it is not possible to come up with one form of treatment. For the diseases that are a result of degenerative changes, reversal of the damage is virtually impossible and the focus is mainly on symptomatic relief. The feet should be properly trimmed to achieve biomechanical and neurological balance. Another supportive measure is to reduce the work performed by the horse.
Drugs also have a role to play. Drugs known as vasodilators help to maintain the patency of blood vessels and maintain blood flow to the affected regions. Other groups of drugs that have been shown to have beneficial effects include gallium nitrate, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids and NSAIDS. Surgery is performed when all the other conservative measures have proved futile.
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