Navicular Syndrome in a Connemara 5 YR old - how common?

[swellhillcottage]

Hi all

as it the title really - sadly my lovely just five 14.2 Dun Connie has just been diagnosed with Palma Foot Pain in both fronts also he seems to have an abnormality in the Right hock and I am awaiting more information re that from the " Specialist".
So I am just wondering if any one else has had anything similar and what was the outcome - This is a lovely pony with an excellent kind temperament and would probably be successful in whatever he does and I would spend the money on him if he was fixable but as with everything in this world especially with horses there are no guarantees. I am wondering whether the Front feet which are between 1/10 and 3/10 lame on 10 meter circles on Concrete are secondary lame because of the hock - there is discomfort upon the hind hock flexion and on the flexion test the residual lameness disappeared after 2/3 strides but he is 2/10 lame RH on upon blocking both fronts - so basically lame in 3 legs.
Once Navicular syndrome is diagnosed can it ever get fixed or is it just manageable and how much of a life can a horse go on to have bearing in mind this guy is just 5 and I don't believe he has had that much mileage - I have had him a year and he has done not a lot except grow and eat - it goes without saying I am gutted.


Thank you in advance Cookies if you get to here!!

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[Maclinda]

Hi swellhillcottage, really wanted to just reply to this post to let you know of my experience with a horse with navicular.

Last Sept/Oct my 17.2 WB mare came in from the field lame. After a few weeks on danilon, it was decided she would go yo the vets for x-rays and nerve blocks. After this and an MRI scan on both front feet (I was insured), she was diagnosed with holes in deep flexor tendons and changes to the navicular bone. I was basically told by the consultant that it was highly unlikely I would ever be able to ride her again. Luckily My vet and farrier never gave up hope and devised a treatment plan. It's been a long road, she was on box rest for three months(luckily it was over the winter), she's currently wearing elevated Heartbars, and she has had one steroid injection but she is sound!!!!!!! She is currently back in work, has been out doing dressage, SJing and showing and not once has anyone asked "is your horse lame".

I'm not naive enough to believe that she's cured but she is definitely sound at the moment and enjoying a great quality of life.

It's been a hard slog and I've never ruled out barefoot as an option if she becomes lame again but navicular is no longer considered the end of the road. It will be tough if your not insured, and if I wasn't I might have been more inclined to take her shoes off and let her develop her own foot balance to see what happened.

Don't give up hope on your guy, and wish you all the luck with whatever treatment you chose. Maclinda

 

[swellhillcottage]

Hi swellhillcottage, really wanted to just reply to this post to let you know of my experience with a horse with navicular.

Last Sept/Oct my 17.2 WB mare came in from the field lame. After a few weeks on danilon, it was decided she would go yo the vets for x-rays and nerve blocks. After this and an MRI scan on both front feet (I was insured), she was diagnosed with holes in deep flexor tendons and changes to the navicular bone. I was basically told by the consultant that it was highly unlikely I would ever be able to ride her again. Luckily My vet and farrier never gave up hope and devised a treatment plan. It's been a long road, she was on box rest for three months(luckily it was over the winter), she's currently wearing elevated Heartbars, and she has had one steroid injection but she is sound!!!!!!! She is currently back in work, has been out doing dressage, SJing and showing and not once has anyone asked "is your horse lame".

I'm not naive enough to believe that she's cured but she is definitely sound at the moment and enjoying a great quality of life.

It's been a hard slog and I've never ruled out barefoot as an option if she becomes lame again but navicular is no longer considered the end of the road. It will be tough if your not insured, and if I wasn't I might have been more inclined to take her shoes off and let her develop her own foot balance to see what happened.

Don't give up hope on your guy, and wish you all the luck with whatever treatment you chose. Maclinda

Wow that's good news thank you for posting!! Sadly we aren't insured but I am curious to know how much an mri might cost..

 

[Maclinda]

Hi, unfortunately it is expensive but in grand scheme of things not as expensive as you would image if you know what I mean. We were roughly £1400 for both front feet!!