What You Should Know About Navicular Disease In Horses
By Ina Hunt
Over time, the horse has been the most utilized four legged animal in all of history. People and equines go a long way back through times. This animal is used to be burdened with heavy loads that are too much for a human to carry. They are used to pull logs and other things from one location to another.
In the latter day setting, horses are now bred for its appearance. Horses today are treated well and are given their basic needs and more, but there will always be instances when an equine needs medical attention due to a sickness, especially if it is navicular disease in horses.
One very common disease that strikes quadrupeds is the navicular disease. As its name suggests, it affects this particular bone in the hooves of horses. More specifically, it is located behind the coffin bone. The front feet of most quadrupeds are the areas that generally suffer. If your stallion has this disease, it means there is an inflammation of the navicular area and the surrounding spots.
There are many theories that experts believe to be the reason why such an illness exists. One known guess is that, since the beast is always on its feet, the said bone can be traumatized. The weight of the horse is also believed to matter a lot because excess weight can also cause the said bone to be squeezed from having to support the total load.
Before, most people believe that only old horses can be diagnosed with the said disease, which both right and wrong. While it is true that old horses suffer due to normal wear and tear, this illness is said to have been manifested by an equine as young as three years old. Most cases involve beast that are only seven to nine years old, the age where an equine is considered to be in his prime.
Horse shoes affixed to the hooves of horses also do not help one bit. Too tight or incorrectly placed shoes can hinder with the normal blood flow to the feet of the horse. The lack of oxygen then makes the hoof degenerate, leading to serious issues.
Rough terrains is also believed to be one of the reasons why horses contact navicular syndrome. Steep hills and uneven paths can cause unevenness on the hooves, making one work harder to keep up with the other. Too much jumping, galloping, and other extreme movements are culprits, too. The impact from such a distance may cause additional trauma or compression to the affected part.
The sickness is curable, as long as it is treated early. The first step is to change the shoes that were first fitted to the horse. Some times raising the shoe a few degrees more will be able to help. This is done by applying a small pad which raises the angle of the foot. This varies from one horse to the other, so there are no fixed numbers.
Medical treatment may also lesen the pain and the adverse effects of the said disease. Anti inflammatory drugs are administered in most cases. However, AHSA rules limit one from using steroidal medication, so make sure the drugs you are using are non steroidal.
In the latter day setting, horses are now bred for its appearance. Horses today are treated well and are given their basic needs and more, but there will always be instances when an equine needs medical attention due to a sickness, especially if it is navicular disease in horses.
One very common disease that strikes quadrupeds is the navicular disease. As its name suggests, it affects this particular bone in the hooves of horses. More specifically, it is located behind the coffin bone. The front feet of most quadrupeds are the areas that generally suffer. If your stallion has this disease, it means there is an inflammation of the navicular area and the surrounding spots.
There are many theories that experts believe to be the reason why such an illness exists. One known guess is that, since the beast is always on its feet, the said bone can be traumatized. The weight of the horse is also believed to matter a lot because excess weight can also cause the said bone to be squeezed from having to support the total load.
Before, most people believe that only old horses can be diagnosed with the said disease, which both right and wrong. While it is true that old horses suffer due to normal wear and tear, this illness is said to have been manifested by an equine as young as three years old. Most cases involve beast that are only seven to nine years old, the age where an equine is considered to be in his prime.
Horse shoes affixed to the hooves of horses also do not help one bit. Too tight or incorrectly placed shoes can hinder with the normal blood flow to the feet of the horse. The lack of oxygen then makes the hoof degenerate, leading to serious issues.
Rough terrains is also believed to be one of the reasons why horses contact navicular syndrome. Steep hills and uneven paths can cause unevenness on the hooves, making one work harder to keep up with the other. Too much jumping, galloping, and other extreme movements are culprits, too. The impact from such a distance may cause additional trauma or compression to the affected part.
The sickness is curable, as long as it is treated early. The first step is to change the shoes that were first fitted to the horse. Some times raising the shoe a few degrees more will be able to help. This is done by applying a small pad which raises the angle of the foot. This varies from one horse to the other, so there are no fixed numbers.
Medical treatment may also lesen the pain and the adverse effects of the said disease. Anti inflammatory drugs are administered in most cases. However, AHSA rules limit one from using steroidal medication, so make sure the drugs you are using are non steroidal.
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