Posted by Patty Stiller on May 04, 2003 at 13:59:36:
In Reply to: walking horse navicular? posted by Cindy on May 04, 2003 at 12:55:48:
: I understand that most of the horses that develop this problem are large horses (and smaller feet) I have a small boned 19 y.o walking horse that has started to stumble frequently. She is also keeping her head down to look at the ground like she is unsure of her footing. She is laying down more in her stall, but has no limp or other obvious signs of pain. I want to rule out navicular VS a sight problem, etc... How accurate are x-rays? (is it difficult for a vet to diagnose?) Any suggestions/ideas helpful. Thanks.
Actually I see as many small horses with navicular pain as large ones. Stumbling, landing toe first at the walk ,and a vaguely shortened stride can all be indicators of pain anywhere in the rear portion of the foot, not necessarily the navicular bone. There are many structures in that area which usually become painful before the bone itself is afected.These include the impar ligament (which connects b the bottom edge of the navicular bone to the coffin bone) the coffin joint itself, The atachment of the deep flexortendon in that same area, the coffin joint, the suspensory atachments to the navicular bone to name a few.
Almost all of these areas are stressed when subjected to from man-made hoof imbalance, especially toes which have been allowed to move forward, and long heels. Both of these conditions create a delayed breakover of the foot anwhich in turn stesses those internal struictures.
Long heels,(either tall OR curled under) will also cause soreness in the heel buttress area,which will make the horse begin to land toe first and stumble.
So I finding a veterinarian who understands the importance of checking bone alignment, hoof balance and breakover pointrelative to the coffin bone radiographically as part of a thorough lameness workup and have the shoeing evaluated.
Patty