Maybe one of the more alarming equine illnesses an equestrian can ever encounter is the navicular disease; on any normal day a tutor could find her horse brought to her haunches by extraordinary bouts of pain, or may be unpleasantly surprised by a horse undergoing training suddenly slowing down in intense agony halfway into the routine. For owners of steeds used basically for leisurely horse riding, it can be more worrying, what with their horses all of a sudden being unable and unwilling to move on, stumbling over through gaits they’d routinely nonchalantly perform. The agony comes from a powerful burning agony owing to increased blood flow in the hooves of the horse and the accompanying shifting of what is often known as the coffin bone.

Navicular disease can be caused by abnormal hoof growth, and this in turn can be promoted by not properly trimming horse hooves frequently. A hoof will grow and wear in accordance to what type of footing it’s kept on. In poor footing and lack of regular, correct trimming, the coffin bone can be rendered immobile and therefore cause blood circulation in the hoof to be constrained. Extreme conditions see the coffin bone sinking to the base of the affected hoof and piercing through the hoof. The condition is often observed in front hooves and usually both feet are afflicted. The risk of acquiring the illness increases when horses are sometimes kept in stalls it is exacerbated by physically demanding tasks or by being overweight. Also, horses whose physiques aren’t correct in proportion or conformation are at higher risk.

Thoroughbreds have small feet in contrast to their bodies and are thus prone to navicular; quarter horses have the disposition to be subject to it also. Ponies as young as 1 year old can be diagnosed as having navicular, the illness itself is gradual. As navicular becomes worse over time , it can be difficult to detect it in the very early stages. Symptoms of the disease are:

-Her stride is shortened, and she’s reluctant to lengthen it.

-She stumbles thru gaits.

-She shifts body weight when resting.

-She is uneven while turning.

Horses are Heather
Toms’ passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100’s
of articles with other horse lovers… like all things about cheap horse rugs

Tags: Horses