Horses are large animals that move around a lot and work hard. This means that injuries to their limbs can easily occur. Here, our vets in San Angelo discuss the signs and causes of navicular syndrome in horses, what it is and how their heel pain can be treated.
How do I know if my horse has sore feet?
Recognizing sore feet in horses can be challenging, but there are several signs to watch for:
- One of the most common signs is intermittent lameness, especially on hard surfaces.
- Your horse may be unwilling to walk or trot and reluctant to turn or move in tight circles.
- A noticeable change in your horse's gait, such as a shortened stride, can indicate foot pain.
- Horses with sore feet often shift their weight from one foot to another.
- Increased sensitivity in the heel area when pressure is applied can be a sign of soreness.
What are the signs of navicular syndrome in horses?
Navicular syndrome is a type of mild lameness that starts subtly and becomes worse over weeks or months. Both front feet are typically affected, with one foot showing more severe symptoms.
The lameness is most noticeable when the horse trots, and the horse may exhibit a head-bob. Horses affected by this condition often have short and choppy trots and canters, and their necks and polls are stiff.
Sometimes, the only signs may be that the horse is not performing as expected or seems unwilling to work. On hard ground, the lameness or stiffness can become severe and may only be visible when the horse moves in a limited circle in one direction.
Some affected horses may 'point' (hold the affected foot out in front) to alleviate heel pain. Rest typically does not lead to improvement, and the symptoms may take several days to become apparent.
What does navicular disease in horses look like?
Changes in both behavior and physical appearance characterize navicular syndrome in horses:
- Horses may become less willing to perform previously easy tasks like jumping or navigating rough terrain.
- In addition to lameness and pointing, you might notice changes in the shape of the hooves, such as contracted heels or an altered hoof-pastern axis.
- Veterinary imaging can reveal changes in the navicular bone, such as increased bone density, irregular bone surfaces, or cysts.
How is heel pain in horses treated?
Once a horse has been diagnosed, treatment and management options are available, but no single treatment will 'cure' the horse's foot problems. The majority of horses with the navicular syndrome are treated with a combination of personalized medicinal treatments, farriery, and work and activity recommendations over time.
Farriery
When a horse is diagnosed with a navicular condition, the first step should be a 'proper trim'. Shoeing enables further mechanical manipulation, which can help the mechanics. Radiographs are quite useful in guiding the shoeing process. The importance of proper trimming and shoeing in treating this problem cannot be overstated.
The movement of the center of articulation, the alignment of the pastern axis, and the length of the breakover are all crucial aspects of hoof mechanics.
A bar shoe is frequently used to guard the heel by reducing the time it sinks into the ground. There are a variety of shoe designs, but the fundamental goal is to wedge the horse to the normal axis and keep him on soft ground. This prevents overextension of the coffin joint, which could cause the navicular to become overloaded.
Other Treatments
Oral or injectable systemic medicines are frequently used as part of the therapy approach. Bisphosphonates are the most often utilized drug class (Osphos and Tildren). These medications prevent bone resorption, which makes sense considering that one of the symptoms of navicular syndrome is the breaking down of the navicular bone.
Surgical techniques that alter the mechanics of the navicular (such as severing the navicular suspensory ligaments) can be beneficial in some circumstances. Still, they are case-specific and can be unreliable.
Neurectomy (nerving) can benefit horses with advanced diseases who cannot be made comfortable in any other manner. This entails cutting a section of each of the horse hooves nerves in the back of the pastern (the sloping part of a horse's foot between the fetlock (ankle) and the hoof). It relieves long-term pain by numbing the area but does not address the underlying cause. The cycle of deterioration in the hoof typically continues and may be accelerated due to increased limb loading.
Are there any predisposing factors?
Yes, there are. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding navicular disease in horses, there are some trends.
Further, It is most common in horses with large, heavy bodies and short feet, but this is not always the case.
Simple Ways to Help Your Horse if They Have Heel Pain
As your horse's caretaker, you are vital in managing navicular disease. Your responsibilities can include:
- Looking out for this condition, especially in predisposed breeds, and if you are considering buying a horse.
- Knowing the basic mechanics and anatomy of the horse’s foot.
- Reach out to your vet at the first sign of lameness.
- Administering the treatment and management as prescribed.
- Monitoring the horse’s response and communicating your observations to your vet.