Thursday, June 26, 2014

Navicular Syndrome In Horses In Brief

By Ina Hunt


Taking care of your animals in terms of health is an ideal step in order to enhance its lifespan as well as serve its purpose fully. The navicular syndrome in horses is a condition that affects feet and can be very painful to the animal. Proper care and treatment can be of help and restore the previous performance. In this article we look briefly of what the condition entails.

Lameness on the horse is a common sign that tells the animal is affected. It can be immediate though in most situations it begins a bit and progresses with time to severe levels. One is able to identify the pain by the horse trying to avoid placing pressure on affected heels. The mount find it difficult to go downhill, make turns that are sharp or even navigate on terrains that are hard and rocky. The animal has tendencies of being uncooperative in occasions of visiting the farrier.

No one precisely knows the causes this condition. Most misconceptions point out to combinations of factors. Most cases occur in those ponies with upright pasterns, heavy bodies and tiny hooves. A number of the affected ones have a history involving front leg impact and increased concussion. A more common trend points to a combination of rise in stress and limitation in oxygen in the heels though the precise cause of inflammation and tissue damage still remains undetermined.

What type of horses gets affected or not is not a guarantee though the problem is more prone to the horses of the stock type. Fairly higher incidences can be found to be more common in thoroughbreds and warm blood breeds. Those of Arabian types rarely get affected. The lameness resulting from this syndrome is in most cases diagnosed as of between ages seven and fourteen.

Procedures on diagnosis are in most instances based on a combination of radiographic and clinical symptoms. It is incorrect to rule out presence of navicular syndrome in the case x rays indicate changes. More accurate conclusion ought to be grounded on consistent matching signs of both the radiograph and clinic signs. The extent of the condition can be identified by lollipop looking structures.

The initial step to combating the ailment is by consulting a vet or farrier. Although there is no existence in availability of cure, immediate diagnosis allows treatment, surgery or medication to commence at a much earlier stage of the ailment. Majority of mounts can be released off pain through offering therapeutic shoes and appropriate trimming. Anti-inflammatory treatment is given orally or injected into the heel to relieve pain.

Feeding practices does not in any way cause the syndrome. The legs being the affected parts by the condition, a mount that is very heavy will exert a lot of pressure on its musculoskeletal frame structure. Given the relationship between this syndrome and heavy bodied, small footed mounts, it translates to a wise decision of avoiding your pony to become too fat.

The condition is not terminal and proper care will restore the health back. One should seek medical attention as soon as possible whenever the symptoms start showing. Necessary precautions such as avoiding overloading your pony in rough terrains, ensuring you fit it with horse shoes and keeping it physically fit in relation to its hooves will be a productive step.




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