Navicular success

[Laura1812]

Last October I took on a Navicular horse who had fallen on bad luck. I knew exactly what I was taking on at the time and had managed to get his vet reports from his original owner who had him diagnosed. I have since managed to get hold of his x-rays which is great as I will shortly have him re x-rayed for comparison.
This horse was described by the vets as having ‘an exceptionally guarded prognosis’ for the return to soundness and ridden work with suspect soft tissue damage as well as significant remodelling of both navicular bones. He was lame just walking in a straight line, let alone on a circle or any other pace.
Over the last 10 months I have agonised over this horse and at times have been close to PTS, but I persevered and on Friday he was ridden for the first time.
This was a picture just before I first got him.

The day after he arrived

His front feet 4 weeks before I got him – by the time I got him they were even longer!!


During the last 10 months, aside from having his feet trimmed, he has had physio, been put on a joint supplement and been allowed to wander over a largeish area (10 acres minimum) with the rest of my horses. He has changed from a horse that couldn’t walk properly and had a consistent toe-first landing to one that galloped down a steep hill the other day just for the sheer hell of it! In the last month I have been hand-walking him for about 20 mins a day on tarmac at least 5 days a week. Last Friday, he was ridden for the first time. He is now landing toe-first consistently and although I feel he is still slightly short striding in front he is definitely improving. We still have a LONG way to go, but here are some more recent pictures for you – I am SO happy and relieved for this lovely boy!!!

 

[Farma]

Brilliant - well done you! I have had similar success with my mare who after not being ridden most of her life is finally in full ridden work and competing despite being told i should pts about 8 years ago!

 

[cptrayes]

Fanstastic. Do you mean he is now landing HEEL first consistently? I think it was a typo in your enthusiasm to say toe first? What a great job you have done with a really serious case. Please update us about the new xrays. And some pics of his feet now would be really interesting.

I know of another, much less severe, if anyone is interested. I can't take it over the winter but I intend to do another foot rehab next year, on a not-for-profit basis if anyone has a horse the vets have given up on.

Well done you, I hope he goes from strength to strength now that he can do ridden work.

 

[soloequestrian]

You don't say specifically, but I assume from the use of the word 'trimmed' you mean he is now barefoot? Second the request for pics of his feet now!

 

[Laura1812]

Thanks everyone - cptrayes - yes I did mean heel first!! I will get some pics of his feet now for you all to see I can also upload the old xrays if anyone is interested and the new ones when I have them.

He still has a long way to go and his feet are still not perfect but loads better than they were.

If anyone is interested in the vet report I will happily email it to you if you PM me your address. I will omit owner details for privacy as it was not me who got him diagnosed.

Its really great that I have the original x-rays and report to work from.

Soloequestrian - yes I have taken him barefoot. He was previously shod - first with opened heel shoes with wedges, then bar shoes with wedges and pads.

 

[Laura1812]

I know of another, much less severe, if anyone is interested. I can't take it over the winter but I intend to do another foot rehab next year, on a not-for-profit basis if anyone has a horse the vets have given up on.

I would love to take on another but sadly space, time and finances won't allow it. I was offered only a few months ago a yearling PRE with a club foot that has sadly now been PTS

If I hear of anyone though I will let you know.

Once this chap is fully functioning I intend on loaning him to a forever home and will then look for another.