Managing Horses With 'Navicular syndrome'

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deicinmerlyn

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How are your horses doing and what management regime do you follow. How long after diagnosis are you?
For those in work, how often and what level?

Just interested in how others cope

Many thanks
 
Mine was diagnosed in October 2011 with navicular along with hind limb PSLD, spavin and arthritis of the fetlock (previously had bone chip removed from the fetlock). I had the shoes taken off on diagnosis, gave her a few months off, with box rest and limited turnout and then then started building her up again, without shoes. She is still not shod, hacks about 4-5 times per week (roadwork), does some schooling and some low level dressage. This is her a few weeks ago out competing.



Sorry I don't know how to make the image appear, you will just have to click on the link.
 
deicinmerlyn said:
How are your horses doing and what management regime do you follow. How long after diagnosis are you?
For those in work, how often and what level?

Just interested in how others cope

Many thanks
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I've got two, both diagnosed at 10, one with Navicular Syndrome, one with Navicular Disease. Shoes off both, rehabilitated to work barefoot, adding boots when necessary. Now both 19, bouncing sound, 20 miles roadwork per week plus schooling and jumping, both will event again this year and for many more years going by their current health.
 
Mine was diagnosed in Sept 12 and has been barefoot since Nov 12. He's been sound since Jan 13 and is in full work and out competing prepping for our first event season. His X-rays have also shown a significant improvement to the bone damage in a very short time.
 
Whilst I can only speak for my horse, it will be interesting to see the number of replies where people are using remedial shoes for their horses and how they are doing. And no, I am not sparking yet another barefoot v shod debate, just interested to see how the remedial shoeing is working for people. It was my preference to take the shoes off, just as it would be other peoples' preference to try remedial shoeing.
 
Mine was diagnosed in 2011 - he had hyaluronic injections into the coffin joint, box rest for 1 week, then turned out for 2 months. Brought slowly back into work over spring, with bar shoes on. He didn't get on with the bar shoes so went back into natural balance. He is now 24, hacks 2 times a week in the winter, and 4-5 in the summer, maybe 1-2 days in the school, but no jumping. He can do roadwork, but generally we hack off road. He on 1.5 bute a day because of his size, 1 bute per day wasn't really working and just that extra half makes a difference. He's forward going, spritely, and happy in his work, always keen to go out. I plan to just keep him ticking over until he tells me otherwise.
 
Holly Hocks said:
Whilst I can only speak for my horse, it will be interesting to see the number of replies where people are using remedial shoes for their horses and how they are doing.
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Further to my unshod entry above, my first horse also had navicular syndrome. I followed vet advice with her, injections and bar shoes....two years later she was on 4 bute a day and had to be PTS. This is why I feel qualified to say the only way to fix navicular horses is to take the shoes off. My first horse died at 13, other two sounds as 6 year olds at 19......I can't ignore this, it works.
 
My 10 year old warmblood was diagnosed with early stage nav syndrome type issues in September. Since then I have been rehabbing barefoot. We have had a few issues....including this weekends drama of 4 Massively swollen legs which indicates a reaction to new hay And as soon as the legs went down he is now abcess lame on the better front foot. I am hoping that these are just things to get through as the first three months of barefoot rehab were easy and all went very well with lots and lots of roadwork, hacking, schooling and jumping.
 
Thanks for your replies. Mine was diagnosed recently (MRI) but was already barefoot for a year although I had my suspicions early on. Now I know exactly what I'm dealing with I want to ensure I give him the best possible chance and avoid further deterioration and injury to the DDFT if possible. He was only box rested for two days as he had some treatment via the coffin joint and is not lame just now. His feet have improved enormously since his shoes came off and apart from a couple of lame days, is in work. I don't have any comparison to what the inside of his feet looked like a year ago. Just interested in what works for others particularly the type and intensity of work.
 
My last horse was diagnosed around 2005 was far lamer without shoes than with, tried all manner of medication with varying degrees of success, culminating in graduated heart bars (basically high heeled shoes). We also said we'd get another and retire him. He clearly overheard, because he immediately became sound and never had any lameness (apartfrom a totally unrelated abcess) until his sudden demise from a heart attack in 2010. I do not doubt that barefoot works for some, or even most, but do not discount special shoeing altogether.
 
Nessa4 said:
My last horse was diagnosed around 2005 was far lamer without shoes than with, tried all manner of medication with varying degrees of success, culminating in graduated heart bars (basically high heeled shoes). We also said we'd get another and retire him. He clearly overheard, because he immediately became sound and never had any lameness (apartfrom a totally unrelated abcess) until his sudden demise from a heart attack in 2010. I do not doubt that barefoot works for some, or even most, but do not discount special shoeing altogether.
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No I am opened minded and would not discount shoes if they would help, but I would rather not shoe if I can help it. Aluminium plates were suggested, so maybe a possibility in the future. For now I am going to continue without shoes.
It's good to hear positive stories, thank you.
 
Mine was diagnosed with palmar hoof pain in November 2012, nerve blocked to the navicular bursa. He was injected into the bursa twice but it made no difference. Was told by vet that he would need to be de-nerved. I ignored the vet & took his shoes off. He then went to Rockley farm in march 2013 for barefoot rehab. Whilst he was there we found that he had kissing spine. He came back from Rockley in June 2013 and his back was operated on the week he came back. Since then he has been walked in hand (ALOT) over relatively smooth hard surfaces. Started riding him again in December and yesterday completed our 18k endurance training ride - he coped very well with the ride & is completely sound today. I do think that being barefoot, having the correct diet & enough movement over the most comfortable surfaces is the best thing that can be done for those with palmar hoof pain, navicular etc.
 
Busybusybusy said:
Mine was diagnosed with palmar hoof pain in November 2012, nerve blocked to the navicular bursa. He was injected into the bursa twice but it made no difference. Was told by vet that he would need to be de-nerved. I ignored the vet & took his shoes off. He then went to Rockley farm in march 2013 for barefoot rehab. Whilst he was there we found that he had kissing spine. He came back from Rockley in June 2013 and his back was operated on the week he came back. Since then he has been walked in hand (ALOT) over relatively smooth hard surfaces. Started riding him again in December and yesterday completed our 18k endurance training ride - he coped very well with the ride & is completely sound today. I do think that being barefoot, having the correct diet & enough movement over the most comfortable surfaces is the best thing that can be done for those with palmar hoof pain, navicular etc.
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Thanks Bbb. Great to hear that.
 
Mine is 6. Went lame 4 months ago. Suspected navicular changes. She's got wedge shoes on, had Tildren and steroid injection into her coffin joint. Attempted to start bringing her back into work 4 weeks ago but after 5 days of 10 mins in walk, she was more lame than ever. Back on limited turnout for an hour a day. I suspect a long road ahead :-(
 
My boy had NS for 4 years before I got him last June, he had been turned away unshod. Very upright contracted feet. Due to my other horse being unwell, didn't get round to trying stuff with him until a couple of months ago. He is shod on the front with a lowered heel, and slightly rolled toes. Within 2 shoeings there has been a noticeable difference in the shape of his feet, heels dropping nicely. He's also moving better in the field. I've also got him on turmeric, which may improve the circulation to his feet. Fingers crossed.
 
Andalucian said:
Further to my unshod entry above, my first horse also had navicular syndrome. I followed vet advice with her, injections and bar shoes....two years later she was on 4 bute a day and had to be PTS. This is why I feel qualified to say the only way to fix navicular horses is to take the shoes off. My first horse died at 13, other two sounds as 6 year olds at 19......I can't ignore this, it works.
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Not necessarily, my horse was 6 when diagnosed and with remedial shoeing lasted till 20 in work.
Op listen to vets advise as there isnt a one answer fits all remedy and you cannot 'fix' it you can only manage it in the best way that suits you and your horse. Best of luck x
 
Farma said:
Op listen to vets advise as there isnt a one answer fits all remedy and you cannot 'fix' it you can only manage it in the best way that suits you and your horse. Best of luck x
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If I had listened to my vets advice my horse would have been de-nerved by now!!
OP I would say listen to your vet, but also do your own research as many vets are woefully ill informed in this area.
 
Farma said:
Not necessarily, my horse was 6 when diagnosed and with remedial shoeing lasted till 20 in work.
Op listen to vets advise as there isnt a one answer fits all remedy and you cannot 'fix' it you can only manage it in the best way that suits you and your horse. Best of luck x
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There are so far five sets of x rays and, I think, one set of scans that show that barefoot rehabs do indeed 'fix' a disease that has previously been regarded as degenerative.

Also, what do you mean by 'in work'? Most barefoot rehabs go back to a full workload including jumping if their owner jumps. The work of most shod horses I hear of is usually qualified, if you question the owner, by statements like 'of course we are careful what ground we canter on and we don't trot on roads too much' or 'he has good days and bad days'.
 
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My horse was never rehabbed, just turned away. He was given bute if he appeared footy. I was advised to go for natural balance shoes if I wanted to bring him into work, but my farrier and I are trying a different approach. The plan is to let his heels drop a bit more then remove the shoes and rehab him.
 
Had 2 "diagnosed" with Nav syndrome 3 years ago. It's in quotes as upon xrays I was told heading that way. So about 2 years remedial shoeing including pour ins, aluminiums, wedges, bars. Those things only worked short term. I was totally anti bare. But when tildren was suggested and possible PTS I said screw it let's do this. Should add it was my farrier who pushed the shoes off. I took 4 bare at the same time. I couldn't cope. Some went back in shoes til I could get stuff together. Management and diet and so important. Each can be a little different. But all are so much better. Including the broodmare that was maimed by a previous farrier. Never thougt she'd come sound. She went into work at 14. Light stuff and lots of walking but it's what made the difference.

Terri
 
My boy is already barefoot as I said and has been for over a year. He initially started tripping two years ago and was then shod in NB shoes which solved the problem of tripping for about a year and then he started again, only once or twice but I knew things weren't right. About this time I started reading up on barefoot and took his shoes off when he supposedly had an abscess. I was totally ignorant of feet at the time and trusted the Vet and Farrier, neither were particularly behind me in my decision although my Vet is now supportive. I do listen to them but I have also done a lot of research, hence why he is still barefoot. I am interested in others stories and the amount of work asked because I want to avoid further damage as he has a tiny tear in the DDFT under the navicular bursa. The diagnosis only confirmed what I had suspected for over a year, so the 'treatment' of removing shoes was not a new thing for me albeit back to front if you see what I mean! I suppose I want to be reassured that continuing as I have is the right thing to do. Or perhaps I am missing something? should be doing something different in the way I am managing him?
 
Farma said:
there isnt a one answer fits all remedy and you cannot 'fix' it you can only manage it in the best way that suits you and your horse
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Whilst I agree that you cannot say that one treatment will be successful for all horses, my experience (and I'm not the only one) PROVES that you can fix it. Navicular is not a degenerative condition, if it is my horse would have not shown an improvement on xray less than a year from diagnosis.
 
deicinmerlyn said:
I suppose I want to be reassured that continuing as I have is the right thing to do. Or perhaps I am missing something? should be doing something different in the way I am managing him?
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I'd get yourself over to the Phoenix forum, there are lots of people over there with plenty of experience in bare feet. Successful rehab is down to diet and exercise as it seems those horses with compromised feet can't cope with a more commercial diet which is high in sugar. Movement is key but you should only increase the work when the horse is landing better - do you know if your horse is landing toe/heel first or flat? The horse will only land heel first when they are strong enough to so this is a good marker of when to gradually reintroduce work - as you would in any rehab programme.
 
Leg_end said:
I'd get yourself over to the Phoenix forum, there are lots of people over there with plenty of experience in bare feet. Successful rehab is down to diet and exercise as it seems those horses with compromised feet can't cope with a more commercial diet which is high in sugar. Movement is key but you should only increase the work when the horse is landing better - do you know if your horse is landing toe/heel first or flat? The horse will only land heel first when they are strong enough to so this is a good marker of when to gradually reintroduce work - as you would in any rehab programme.
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I think this is great advice LE, but I would add that some of them need a kick start by walking on firm surfaces in hand to get the back of the foot strong enough for ridden work. Paddock rest does not seem to do the job with some of them. Rockley keep their horses moving with a track, a herd, and dispersed feeding stations. If you don't have those things, my experience is that 'walking the dog' can do the job too.
 
Just to add, Storm who went to Rockley at the same time as mine was already barefoot too. His owner Kate went on to train with the uknhcp
she has a website under stormybrackenhoofcare and it may be worth following her experience in case there are similarities with your situation.
 
George, who went to rockley and so, sooo ironically was cover boy on Feet First before he went unsound, was long term barefoot. I sold him to friends and they kept him in a place that has very little winter turnout and he was hardly ridden all winter because of the child's commitments and the dark and wet.

The result was that his feet weakened, and when he was turned out on spring, he went for a hooley and pulled up lame with soft tissue damage inside the foot. Given an extremely poor prognosis by Leahurst, he was sound in weeks at Rockley and has remained so since, with 24/7 turnout.
 
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