Navicular

[Jinete12]

I'm not sure really why I'm posting this, just looking for some reassurance I suppose. I'm pretty certain my horse has navicular, he has so many signs to suggest it and I'm hoping some people on here will have tales of positive outcomes.

I rode him on Sunday and he didn't feel right, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Rode again yesterday and there is a definite slight forelimb lameness in trot. Hoof testers elicit pain in the heel region and he is very 'careful' walking downhill. Normally I wouldn't panic too much, but since he is on box rest (mud fever), he can't have bruised his soles. He's barefoot, but is ridden in boots and even when we first went barefoot he was never lame or sore in the boots.

I haven't called the vet yet as he's perfectly comfortable in walk and seeing as he's stabled at the moment anyway, I thought I'd give it another week just in case it's something that settles down, but I just can't help fearing the worst. He's only seven and I've only had him since April. I've really had such rotten luck with my horses that I'm beginning to think maybe I wasn't supposed to be a horse owner.

If anyone has anything positive to say about navicular and horses going on to work after hoof rehab, please do.

Sorry for the terribly indulgent post, I'm just so scared.

 

[pines of rome]

I also have had bad luck, lost 2 in 2009 and after having my new one not long was diagnosed with navicular, he is fine in a straight line it shows up when turning. I have gone barefoot with an excellent DAEP and he is improving i have to have him trimmed every 4 weeks to keep his feet balanced. i wouldn,t panic yet as it could be something totally unrelated, regarding the mud fever i had a pony that sufferd badly and i found global herbs mud x cleared it up, does smell foul though. Try not to worry there are plenty of people on here with navicular horses still doing lots with them and as yours is barefoot already that will help.

 

[cptrayes]

Pain in the heel region with hoof testers is surely not symptomatic of navicular syndrome, which is inside the foot and away from anything that the hoof testers can test? Squeezing a thrush diseased frog with testers would cause a reaction though. Who's testing - a farrier or you? If a farrier, does he really think your horse has navicular syndrome on so little evidence? Is the horse more unsound on a circle on hard ground, because unsound downhill is not symptomatic of navicular either, but again it would be of thrush? Lastly "navicular" is extremely uncommon in a barefoot horse unless it has desperately weak heels (possibly a dietary issue) or frogs suspended way off the floor (a trimming and conditioning issue).

I'd be VERY surprised if your horse has navicular syndrome.

 

[vicky_sut]

Firstly try not to panic
Are you sure there is no thrush as that can make them sore especially if stabled and ridden in boots his frogs and hooves might not be getting chance to 'dry out'. How are his feet in general are they soft? Could be a abcess brewing? Could also be something higher up than feet.
Instead of scaring yourself get the vet out. Then you know what your dealing with.

 

[Izzwizz]

You vet is the best person to speak to on this. My mare had a tear to her DDFT within her hoof and to all intents and purposes she was sound. It was only on turning that I knew something wasnt right. An MRI scan revealed what was going on and we took it from there. Box rest and remedial shoeing along with a careful rehab programme has done the trick. She is now sound. I had convinced myself she had navicular but the scan said no, you can scare yourself silly reading things so get the vet and your mind will be settled.