HELP! Re Navic syndrome

ExpressPrincess

ExpressPrincess

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I just wanted a bit of advice re a horse with Navic Syndrome, an acquaintance has a horse due to be PTS on Monday as intermittently lame with suspected navic syndrome (no official navicular diagnosis as horse not insured to pay for the expensive investigations he has had no nerve blocking or corrective shoing either - he is just given bute when he becomes lame which resolves the lameness after 2/3 days) She is offering the horse free to good home to give him a second chance (he is a nice sounding 9 year old warmblood) would you think about getting involved? I would be happy to pay for further investigations and remedial shoeing if insurance would help cover it (as no diagnosis yet and sound majority of time its not a true existing condition? He would pass a 2 stage vetting) My mare was sadly and unexpectedly PTS yesterday and i want to get another soon (perhaps not this soon) but this chap sounds desperate and like there might be more options open for him before he is PTS. I am still reeling from yesterday but think he might need my help or do you think it would be a kindness to PTS before he is really suffering. What do you think??? Would also like to know anyone who is nursing a navic/navicular horse experiences and recommendations good and bad - also any ideas re costs for remedial shoeing and long term use bute alternatives might be good. :confused:
 
Search on this site and google Rockley Farm where they have had success barefoot rehabbing cases where all else has failed (including mine who had soft tissue damage to the feet).
Cost wise sending him there would be about the same as full livery costs or less round my way and at the end you might have a lovely horse.
 
I agree, if you took him through a barefoot rehab programme theres a good chance you could have a pretty nice horse on your hands and its always more tempting to try when they're younger.
Give Nic at rockley a call, she's very nice and talks a lot of sense. You could also PM cptrayes, she rehabbed a few at home and would probably point you in the right direction too.

Hope it all comes off for you and well done for giving him a chance. :)
 
Navic syndrome is a catch-all if the vets can't really find what's causing the problem. It's often difficult to diangose where a problem started - foot, leg, back, so it's wise to treat the problem holisitically. There is a good chance that he could be a very nice horse with no further lameness problems if he goes to someone knowledgeable and patient.
 
One of my liveries has navicular. doesnt stop him age 29 he hacks and schooled . I say until you get a diagnostic done shame to PTS.

Most insurance pay for diagnostics only if he is insured trouble is when you buy a new horse there is a 2 week gap before its effective . Maybe if you had him turned out got him fairly sound then insure him then you can say you bought him from someone recently and don't know much about his history
Why don't you get some egg bar shoes on to help him and see how he goes.

My op 4 what its worth is give him a chance.:)
My mare has just been diagnose with Lami for the first time in her 23 years. I just had the best farrier in the uk ( I found afterwards. ) he is a remedial farrier called Billy . (95pounds for 2 shoes but my girl deserves the best.he is near Leighton Buzzard

http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/hoofcare
 
If the horse is lame then it's not surprising it will behave badly if ridden.
It's amazing how the temperament changes when the horse no longer has pain.
 
If it doesn't have a genuine attitude I wouldn't bother. It could be a long road with no guarantees of success. To me foot issues might be fixable. Behavioral issues might be fixable. They might well be linked. They might well not. It sounds like a mountain to climb to me which realistically you may never get on top of. Its up to you, OP, but from Sarah's post I think you'd be better off finding something unspoiled if you want a project, or if you really prefer lame, get something that is at least safe and genuine, they are just as free if they're lame.
 
Via barefoot.......

CPTrayes rehabbed a PTS case last year who is now off competeing and winning.

A livery from our yard was rehabbed two years ago and is off competeing

http://www.progressivehorse.co.uk/html/shoko.html

Rockley Farm has rehabbed lots of written off cases - a few from this forum....

Chronic pain and bahvioural problems go hand in hand.

As does stress caused by chronic pain, creating ulcers and therefore explosive behviour when ridden.

I've seen it with my own eyes....

If I had the time and money - I wouldn't hesitate to take on such a horse.

The money that you'd save on expensive drugs and remedial shoeing - I'd use on bodywork;)
 
TBH. As much as you feel like this horse needs your help, I wouldn't go there. You have been through enough heartache in the last few days. Find youself something without any complications and have fun. Sounds harsh I know as I have one at the moment with suspected Navicular (long story). There are plenty of less complicated horses out there that would love to have a lovely home.
 
If there is a good chance that the other behavioural issues are related to the navicular I would take him like a shot and do a barefoot rehab. But only if you are prepared to have him put down if he does not come right and not think you owe him a home for life.

My navicular rehab last year was cured of irrational behaviour, sweetitch, obssessive wood chewing (and saddle-on-the-door savaging), tying up, manic eating behaviour and more by getting his diet right. That also allowed him to grow strong enough feet to come completely sound at 11 weeks and he has been sound for the year since, lately being Reserve Champion at the Spanish Horse Nationals, he is so well.

With odd temperamental behaviour the horse you mention could be suffering from something like Equine Polysaccharride Storage Myopathy, which can often be easily treated with a very strict rationing of grass and a low sugar, high fibre, high fat, high Vitamin E diet.

Let us know what you decide to do?
 
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Hi all, Thanks for your help, I have had a think and asked various peoples advice (plus you guys input) and i think that he is not for me. No 1 i think its a bit soon after my mare (that’s my fault! Not the horses!) and No 2 although i don’t want to do much with my horses i don’t really want a field ornament especially such a big and beautiful looking horse as him and not sure i could have PTS if happy and sound mooching around the field. I’m sure however that if word gets around someone would love him (please let me know if you want the contact details for him) Thanks again.
 
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