Posted by Rick Burten on March 30, 2003 at 09:35:39:
In Reply to: I read too much and am confused about what to ask my vet next! posted by Diana on March 30, 2003 at 05:45:01:
: I am confused now... I was reading about the various trims and many misdiagnoses... but please correct me if i am wrong.
:I diagnoses of Navicular Disease through Xrays is a definite navicular disease and rules out heel pain and the rest?
Radiographs are not, in and of themselves, a good tool for diagnosing NS or ND. They are useful in the presence of other symptoms, and are also useful , if properly taken, in helping the farrier determine how to correctly trim and/or shoe the horse.
:Shall i question my vet re: balance etc, if I have a definite xray showing me the navicular problems?
"Question" is not the approach I would take. "Discuss", with both the vet and the farrier, is the way to go. As noted above, radiographs alone, used to determine ND, are not very useful.
:Based on my farrier our next step is shoes.
Why has he recommended this approach, and what, specifically, does it entail?
: Do I request to start with something very specific including a trim or do i allow them to begin the experimental process?
They(the vet and farrier) should have a gameplan and be able to explain it to you. This game plan will(or should) also include changes in the protocol that may need to occur as the work progresses. I suppose you could call this "experimenting", but there is really no other way to go. You try an approach that , based on information at hand, appears to be the best way, and then go from there.
:Should I step back from all my reading or should I interfere with my farrier and vet...
No , you should continue your education and to stay informed. You are one third of the equation: You, the Vet and the Farrier. You need to both have input and receive input. But, your use of the term "interfere" sends up red flags. You appear to be assuming an adversarial role here and that is never a good thing. At some point, you will have to step back and let the professionals do their job. Now it may be these professionals or others, depending, but they still have to be afforded the oportunity to work on the problem without incessant , errr, interference.
:My goal is to be sure I do best by my horse. I have had him for 1 year only. He is also very large and only 8 and needs to work....
:unfortunately loves to jump, but I don't know if he can do it.
At this point, jumping is not even a part of the equation. First he has to get well/sound, and remain so. And, the more he jumps , ridden or not, the more damage he does to the affected area(s).
:If I don't jump him he jumps the paddock fences...(5 foot!!) just goes in and out jumping! Full of energy... and thats without bute! help..
You will have to devise some method to stop this . An adjustment in his caloric intake seems to be inorder. Perhaps an exercise program that minimizes trauma but allows you to control his energy level can be devised by you and the vet. Perhaps a temporary height addition to the paddock fences will be needed, or some other method of discouragement devised.
:Thanks in advance! Diana
Rick