Posted by Anne Daimler on November 30, 2003 at 08:41:08:
In Reply to: navicular horses posted by mary on November 20, 2003 at 12:28:03:
: Do you think a horse with navicular ( syndrom/ disease) can be helped by going barefoot, as many owners testify, after exhusting all conventional shoeing methods without success
Navicular is a term applied to horses with chronic heel pain. If caught early enough, before too much damage is done, a physiologically correct trim can often correct the problem in one trim.
If, however, the incorrect hoof form that caused the problem in the first place has been in existence for so long that there is damage to the tissue in the navicular area, a rehabilitation period will be necessary. Correct living conditions (as close to what nature intended for horses as possible) and correct hoof form are mandatory.
It is my opinion that shoeing (whether conventional or otherwise) will only mask the symptoms (pain) and not correct the problem.
Anne Daimler
SHP (Strasser Hoofcare Professional) 2002
DeLand, FL