Navicular Syndrome of Horses - Part 1 of 3

Part 1 in a series of 3 on navicular syndrome in horses.

Video Of Your Horse's Advocate™ by Geoff Tucker, DVM is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

The information contained in the blog or web site here is for information only and is the opinion of Geoff Tucker, DVM. It is not intended to replace your relationship with your veterinarian nor is it to be considered an attempt to diagnose or treat your animal. You need to discuss any and all medical conditions with your veterinarian who has established a relationship with you and your horse.

Category:

Education

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• geoff
• tucker
• dvm
• horse
• equine
• management
• veterinary
• care

[horzvet]

There are good farriers and bad ones - just like car mechanics. The only thing to do is be the best we can be. Observe the hoof and prevent the bad changes and be patient waiting for the good changes. I understand that a horse is not a car. Sleep well tonight knowing you did your best, but dump the knowing that so many horses suffer from inadequate care or you will not sleep.

[horzvet]

Thanks for commenting. I agree that the underlying factor is simple. I agree with the hoof distortion. I agree that good farrier work is the solution. I agree that many can improve and even resolve the pain. BUT- conformation can't change, the horse's threshold for pain can't change, and the fact that there are very few farriers that understand the physics especially in rural areas. Keep doing outstanding work and affect positively as many horses as you can. Doc T

[buddymacs]

i never consider the pain management ......restoring the hoof form is the cure.....i understand that many horse owners want a chemical pain relief for the horse they care about.....i see the point about deterioration damage if the horse has it very long.

the horses ive seen are shod with inefective antiquated bar shoes and pads.....they stay lame for years like that the shoes gets rich and does nothing at all ti help.....untill the hoof is liberated and trimmed correctly my 2 cents

[buddymacs]

The hoof form gradually creeps forward.....due to lack of normal wear.......the softer the ground the faster it creeps.......its seems that it might be possible to establish a measurement system that would show how much FORWARD CREEP a hoof has from the baseline of 0 or ideal......i know that most horses hoofs are creeping forward as we speak.....its the job of the farrier to know where the hoof is at.......from 0 to navicular stage.....its over my head at this point can u suggest a plan ?

[buddymacs]

Thank you doc T! heres another senario.....

Lets start with an ideal undistorted foal hoof......

Track the hoof form from birth to death

Document what happens to that hoof form over the years

[buddymacs]

navicular syndrome is caused by long toes and hoof distortion!!,the hoof is distorted forward which binds the pulley system and pinches and squeezes the bone....its very simple...it does not require a vet exam ,xrays, or any other treatment. call a natural hoofcare practitioner and start the rehab trim protocall to remove the distortion that caused the problem... simple