Friday 27 June 2014

Facts 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 surfaces to be educated guesses made by equine experts as to why this malady exists. One most popular hypothesis revolves around the issue of overexertion. Horses are out on their feet the whole day, so all the pressure just gathers at the hoof which has to support the horse day in and day out. Unregulated horse weight can also add strain on the navicular bone, which can just lead to compression on both the bone and the tendon underneath.

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.

It is very easy to spot a beast with possible navicular disease. If you see an equine that takes awkward steps that make it appear lame, consult it with the veterinarian. If the vet confirms the diagnosis, the first order of business is to have the shoes refitted. Some will even have to place tiny pads on the hooves to elevate it at more comfortable angles.

You can also try a more medically inclined concept for the said problem. It is found out that most anti inflammatory drugs can somehow help. Just make sure that these do not contain steroids, in adherence to the rules laid out by AHSA.




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