An Insight In Navicular Syndrome In Horses

By Ina Hunt


In order to enhance the lifespan and productivity of your animals, adapting a proper upkeep in terms of health will prove beneficial. Certain ailments can cause a lot of anguish to the affected animal; the navicular syndrome in horses is one of such that causes great pain and limping. The details below tell in briefs what the ailment entails.

Lameness on the horse is a common sign that tells the animal is affected. It can be immediate though in most situations it begins a bit and progresses with time to severe levels. One is able to identify the pain by the horse trying to avoid placing pressure on affected heels. The mount find it difficult to go downhill, make turns that are sharp or even navigate on terrains that are hard and rocky. The animal has tendencies of being uncooperative in occasions of visiting the farrier.

The cause for this condition is almost unknown with many misconceptions pointing out to blends of factors. Ponies with pasterns that are upright, small hooves and heavy bodies are the most likely to get affected. Most of the victims are ones which have a history that involves impact on front leg and increased concussion. A much common incline points at combination of increased stress and oxygenation limitation in the heels. However, exact cause of tissue damage and soreness remain unknown.

The type of mounts that get affected or lucky is not guaranteed although the malady seems to be more inclined to stock type horses. Fairly upper incidences are more commonly identified in breeds that are warm blood and thoroughbreds while the Arabian types get hardly ever affected. Diagnosis of lameness caused by the syndrome is mostly done between the ages seven to age fourteen.

Procedures on diagnosis are in most instances based on a combination of radiographic and clinical symptoms. It is incorrect to rule out presence of navicular syndrome in the case x rays indicate changes. More accurate conclusion ought to be grounded on consistent matching signs of both the radiograph and clinic signs. The extent of the condition can be identified by lollipop looking structures.

The initial step to combating the ailment is by consulting a vet or farrier. Although there is no existence in availability of cure, immediate diagnosis allows treatment, surgery or medication to commence at a much earlier stage of the ailment. Majority of mounts can be released off pain through offering therapeutic shoes and appropriate trimming. Anti-inflammatory treatment is given orally or injected into the heel to relieve pain.

Feeding practices does not in any way cause the syndrome. The legs being the affected parts by the condition, a mount that is very heavy will exert a lot of pressure on its musculoskeletal frame structure. Given the relationship between this syndrome and heavy bodied, small footed mounts, it translates to a wise decision of avoiding your pony to become too fat.

The ailment is in not a terminal one and one only need to take proper care and the health of the animal will be restored to normal. It is advisable to seek immediate medication once the signs begin showing. It is also important not to load your mount heavily in rough grounds, ensuring that you dress it with horse shoes and also maintaining its fitness to a point it is proportional to the hooves.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment