The term navicular refers to a progressive degenerative condition in horses that involves navicular bone. This bone is located behind the coffin bone in the hoof. It also affects flexor tendons and bursa. According to researchers, this condition cannot be termed as a disease. Rather, it is a syndrome of one or several abnormalities. These abnormalities occur in one or both front feet of horses. Here are facts regarding Navicular disease in horses.
Some time back, it was hard to locate exactly where the navicular bone was located in the feet of horses. That made it hard to learn more about the condition. However, as technology continued to develop, it became easier to locate with a high precision the exact location of the bone. Changes that lead to the development of the condition are also easily identifiable with the use of better technology.
It has been possible to learn the anatomy of the feet better with the use of MRI scanning. It is now clearly known that there exist several medical conditions which can affect the anatomy of the horse. Even though some of the medical issues can be treated, some cannot be treated. Various breeds are known to be prone to experiencing the condition more.
Among the main reasons leading to the occurrence of the condition is age. The illness is additionally known to get worse as the animal continues to age. The fact that horses are able to live longer today causes the condition to get very bad in some cases. It is for this reason that early diagnosis of the problem and identification of available options for treatment is important.
As earlier stated, the condition can be caused by various problems. The problems include inflammation, problems with the flexor tendon and injuries to the ligaments supporting the lower feet. The condition affects the animals used in performance sports most. Thus, it is the main factor causing lameness in horses.
Some of the breeds of horses that have been known to develop this condition more frequently are warmbloods, thoroughbreds, and quarter horses. The age range within which animals are most likely to develop the problem is between 7 and 14 years. Other factors that predispose horses to this conditions include sheared heels, underrun heels, contracted heels, disproportionally small feet, mismatched hoof angles, and broken forward/backward hoof axis.
The degree to which the condition occurs in both front feet varies. In most cases, one foot will be affected more than in the other. This causes lameness in one foot, which is faster to notice. The easiest way to notice lameness is one foot is when the horse is negotiating tight corners. Affected animals tend to swap legs as they negotiate tight circles.
The pain usually occurs in the heel area. That usually causes animals to land in a toe-to-heel fashion as opposed to the normal heel-to-toe fashion. The animal does this in order to avoid pain that is associated with normal landing. This subtle signs may be hard to notice, especially for beginners. As such, to help make the process easier, one should record the horse on video and play it in slow-motion so as to catch the signs.
Some time back, it was hard to locate exactly where the navicular bone was located in the feet of horses. That made it hard to learn more about the condition. However, as technology continued to develop, it became easier to locate with a high precision the exact location of the bone. Changes that lead to the development of the condition are also easily identifiable with the use of better technology.
It has been possible to learn the anatomy of the feet better with the use of MRI scanning. It is now clearly known that there exist several medical conditions which can affect the anatomy of the horse. Even though some of the medical issues can be treated, some cannot be treated. Various breeds are known to be prone to experiencing the condition more.
Among the main reasons leading to the occurrence of the condition is age. The illness is additionally known to get worse as the animal continues to age. The fact that horses are able to live longer today causes the condition to get very bad in some cases. It is for this reason that early diagnosis of the problem and identification of available options for treatment is important.
As earlier stated, the condition can be caused by various problems. The problems include inflammation, problems with the flexor tendon and injuries to the ligaments supporting the lower feet. The condition affects the animals used in performance sports most. Thus, it is the main factor causing lameness in horses.
Some of the breeds of horses that have been known to develop this condition more frequently are warmbloods, thoroughbreds, and quarter horses. The age range within which animals are most likely to develop the problem is between 7 and 14 years. Other factors that predispose horses to this conditions include sheared heels, underrun heels, contracted heels, disproportionally small feet, mismatched hoof angles, and broken forward/backward hoof axis.
The degree to which the condition occurs in both front feet varies. In most cases, one foot will be affected more than in the other. This causes lameness in one foot, which is faster to notice. The easiest way to notice lameness is one foot is when the horse is negotiating tight corners. Affected animals tend to swap legs as they negotiate tight circles.
The pain usually occurs in the heel area. That usually causes animals to land in a toe-to-heel fashion as opposed to the normal heel-to-toe fashion. The animal does this in order to avoid pain that is associated with normal landing. This subtle signs may be hard to notice, especially for beginners. As such, to help make the process easier, one should record the horse on video and play it in slow-motion so as to catch the signs.
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