Horses sometimes get problems with their navicular bone and surrounding tissues. The bone is located on the front of the foot. This is usually behind coffin bone and just below the pastern bone. There are strong tendons that run across this area all the way to the back of coffin bone across the soft tissue. There is some cartilage between navicular bone and the coffin bone. Furthermore there is a small sac just over navicular bone that prevents the bone from abrasion. Navicular bone and surrounding tissues at times get inflamed or degenerates causing disabling and lameness to the horse. Navicular disease in horses should therefore be given attention.
The cause of the syndrome is not known. However, scientists have put forward theories to explain different factors that may lead to the condition. To start with, it is thought that the navicular bone compression under tendons and small pastern bone causes degeneration of cartilage layer. The cartilage layer flattens, becoming less springy making it less able to absorb heavy shock as the horse is moving.
Study has also found increased cartilage erosion along services adjacent to navicular bone in horses where compression is suspected. This is usually caused by biochemical changes similar to a human condition called osteoarthritis. If the erosion progresses, the underneath bone is exposed is unearthed and thus not protected. The tendons tend to rub more viciously on the bone surface resulting to inflammation. Compression is also responsible for increase in density of this bone making it brittle and susceptible to breakage even in little shocks.
Research has also indicated that tension on the ligaments that support the bone could lead to degeneration. Excess tension causes strain and inflammation that decreases blood flow to and fro the navicular bone. Most of these blood vessels run along this region. Persistent tension causes the ligament to permanently thicken and reduce blood flow.
If blood is restricted from one side of this bone, there is usually fluid buildup in this bone. The bone responds to pressure and reduced blood supply by absorbing mineral found at its center. Extreme tension also causes exostoses, a condition in which ligaments that are attached to the navicular bone force the bone to assume a canoe shape due to pressure. They may tear in some cases.
The treatment suggested by the vet is largely dependent on extent that the navicular region has been damaged. There are a range of interventions from conservative ones to aggressive ones. These include surgery, shoeing the hoof, trimming, and various medications, oral and intravenous.
Shoeing treatment involves placing a bar across the heels to relieve pressure on these heels. It also improves blood flow. The veterinary can also rasp the quarters of wall of the hoof or cut grooves to relieve contraction. Trimming the foot also aids in balancing the foot. Most horses with the syndrome have long toes, very little inner wall depth and under run heels. Trimming improves the hoof form and structure.
Medication involves the use of vasodilators and oral anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain. Nerves are severed during surgery to relieve pain. However, this causes the horse to lose sensation on the back side of the foot.
The cause of the syndrome is not known. However, scientists have put forward theories to explain different factors that may lead to the condition. To start with, it is thought that the navicular bone compression under tendons and small pastern bone causes degeneration of cartilage layer. The cartilage layer flattens, becoming less springy making it less able to absorb heavy shock as the horse is moving.
Study has also found increased cartilage erosion along services adjacent to navicular bone in horses where compression is suspected. This is usually caused by biochemical changes similar to a human condition called osteoarthritis. If the erosion progresses, the underneath bone is exposed is unearthed and thus not protected. The tendons tend to rub more viciously on the bone surface resulting to inflammation. Compression is also responsible for increase in density of this bone making it brittle and susceptible to breakage even in little shocks.
Research has also indicated that tension on the ligaments that support the bone could lead to degeneration. Excess tension causes strain and inflammation that decreases blood flow to and fro the navicular bone. Most of these blood vessels run along this region. Persistent tension causes the ligament to permanently thicken and reduce blood flow.
If blood is restricted from one side of this bone, there is usually fluid buildup in this bone. The bone responds to pressure and reduced blood supply by absorbing mineral found at its center. Extreme tension also causes exostoses, a condition in which ligaments that are attached to the navicular bone force the bone to assume a canoe shape due to pressure. They may tear in some cases.
The treatment suggested by the vet is largely dependent on extent that the navicular region has been damaged. There are a range of interventions from conservative ones to aggressive ones. These include surgery, shoeing the hoof, trimming, and various medications, oral and intravenous.
Shoeing treatment involves placing a bar across the heels to relieve pressure on these heels. It also improves blood flow. The veterinary can also rasp the quarters of wall of the hoof or cut grooves to relieve contraction. Trimming the foot also aids in balancing the foot. Most horses with the syndrome have long toes, very little inner wall depth and under run heels. Trimming improves the hoof form and structure.
Medication involves the use of vasodilators and oral anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain. Nerves are severed during surgery to relieve pain. However, this causes the horse to lose sensation on the back side of the foot.
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