The term navicular refers to a progressive degenerative condition in horses that involves navicular bone. This bone is located behind the coffin bone in the hoof. It also affects flexor tendons and bursa. According to researchers, this condition cannot be termed as a disease. Rather, it is a syndrome of one or several abnormalities. These abnormalities occur in one or both front feet of horses. Here are facts regarding Navicular disease in horses.
It was very difficult to locate the exact point where the navicular bone is situated in the feet of horses some time back. That made it difficult to learn more about the condition. Nevertheless, with technological development, it became easier and precise to locate the exact position of the bone. The changes which spearheaded the development of this condition are easy to identify with use of advanced technology.
It has been possible to learn the anatomy of the feet better with the use of MRI scanning. It is now clearly known that there exist several medical conditions which can affect the anatomy of the horse. Even though some of the medical issues can be treated, some cannot be treated. Various breeds are known to be prone to experiencing the condition more.
Among the main reasons leading to the occurrence of the condition is age. The illness is additionally known to get worse as the animal continues to age. The fact that horses are able to live longer today causes the condition to get very bad in some cases. It is for this reason that early diagnosis of the problem and identification of available options for treatment is important.
As earlier stated, a number of issues may cause the condition. Among these are injury of the ligaments supporting lower feet, problems of surface or flexor tendons, and inflammation. These issues are more prevalent in horses utilized for sports performance. Thus, performance sports is one major cause of the condition.
Among horse breeds known to contract this problem most are quarter horses, thoroughbreds, and warmbloods. The age bracket in which horses have high changes of developing the condition ranges from 7-14 years. Additional factors that predispoe horses to the ailment include underrun heels, disproportionally small feet, sheared heels broken backward/forward hoof axis and underrun heels.
The degree to which the condition occurs in both front feet varies. In most cases, one foot will be affected more than in the other. This causes lameness in one foot, which is faster to notice. The easiest way to notice lameness is one foot is when the horse is negotiating tight corners. Affected animals tend to swap legs as they negotiate tight circles.
The pain normally affects the heel area. That normally causes the animals not to land in the heel-to-toe fashion but land in a toe-to-heel fashion. The main reason for the animal to do this is to prevent pain. Such signs may be difficult to notice, particularly for those beginning to rear these animals. Due to this, in a plan to simplify the process, one has to record a video of the horse and then play it in slow-motion in order to get a glimpse of the signs.
It was very difficult to locate the exact point where the navicular bone is situated in the feet of horses some time back. That made it difficult to learn more about the condition. Nevertheless, with technological development, it became easier and precise to locate the exact position of the bone. The changes which spearheaded the development of this condition are easy to identify with use of advanced technology.
It has been possible to learn the anatomy of the feet better with the use of MRI scanning. It is now clearly known that there exist several medical conditions which can affect the anatomy of the horse. Even though some of the medical issues can be treated, some cannot be treated. Various breeds are known to be prone to experiencing the condition more.
Among the main reasons leading to the occurrence of the condition is age. The illness is additionally known to get worse as the animal continues to age. The fact that horses are able to live longer today causes the condition to get very bad in some cases. It is for this reason that early diagnosis of the problem and identification of available options for treatment is important.
As earlier stated, a number of issues may cause the condition. Among these are injury of the ligaments supporting lower feet, problems of surface or flexor tendons, and inflammation. These issues are more prevalent in horses utilized for sports performance. Thus, performance sports is one major cause of the condition.
Among horse breeds known to contract this problem most are quarter horses, thoroughbreds, and warmbloods. The age bracket in which horses have high changes of developing the condition ranges from 7-14 years. Additional factors that predispoe horses to the ailment include underrun heels, disproportionally small feet, sheared heels broken backward/forward hoof axis and underrun heels.
The degree to which the condition occurs in both front feet varies. In most cases, one foot will be affected more than in the other. This causes lameness in one foot, which is faster to notice. The easiest way to notice lameness is one foot is when the horse is negotiating tight corners. Affected animals tend to swap legs as they negotiate tight circles.
The pain normally affects the heel area. That normally causes the animals not to land in the heel-to-toe fashion but land in a toe-to-heel fashion. The main reason for the animal to do this is to prevent pain. Such signs may be difficult to notice, particularly for those beginning to rear these animals. Due to this, in a plan to simplify the process, one has to record a video of the horse and then play it in slow-motion in order to get a glimpse of the signs.
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