Posted by dixies chick on 7/19/2012, 3:24 pm 146.23.4.23
Had lameness exam done on my mare yesterday. Navicular is suspected and x-rays will be done next week. I'm encouraged by the vet and other info that it is manageable w/corrective shoeing and doesn't necessarily mean that my mare will be unrideable. Just wondering what others' experiences with navicular syndrome have been.
Also, vet recommending 2 farriers: Joe Zimmerman and Ryan... (darn, can't remember at the moment !) Any experience w/either?
"Navicular syndrome" can mean many different things. Sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with the navicular bone (distal sesamoid) itself and radiographs may not show any significant changes to the bone. An MRI will often show damage to the navicular bursa, impar ligament, or suspensory ligaments of the navicular bone. Many horses do better with a balanced trim and without metal shoes.
On the other hand, I have done numerous dissections on cadaver feet and found navicular bones with massive damage that made me wonder how the poor horse could even walk.
She's been barefoot for a few years now and I ride with Easyboot Gloves. I would love to be able to keep her barefoot, but if shoes and pads is what the vet recommends, I will try.
I may be soliciting more info once the xrays are done next week!
Pleasant Hill, CA
Re: Thanks!
Posted by Sally on 7/19/2012, 5:34 pm, in reply to "Thanks!" 207.231.12.159
Consider trying the Epona shoes. They really do a nice job of supporting the entire foot and absorbing concussion. Compared to some of the therapeutic eggbar/wedge pad combinations, they are not that expensive. I personally love them for horses that can't quite go barefoot . Whatever you decide, the ultimate comfort and soundness of your horse is far more important that hoof care ideology. You may need to experiment to find what works best, but a talented farrier will help you with that choice. Good luck!
When you get the radiographs done, post them if you feel like it
A farrier's story
Posted by jcdill on 8/13/2012, 9:49 pm, in reply to "Thanks!" 174.240.32.26
I was a full-time farrier for 6 years. One of the last "new clients" I took on is the only horse I'm still working on now, years after I gave up shoeing. (I only do trims now - sold all my shoeing equipment.) When I started I was told this mare was navicular and needed to be shod with wedge pads etc. But her hoofs were all messed up - underun heels, long toes, flare, crooked, etc.
I shod her with wedge pads as instructed but also worked to get her hoofs to reshape to a more normal shape. The following winter her owner wanted to leave her barefoot for a few months since she wouldn't be riding. This gave me more room to help remodel her hoofs and by spring her heels were wider, were more under the bulbs instead of run forward, I had the flare and long toes under control, her hoofs were balanced, etc. And she was still sound even though she was barefoot. Her owner was only doing light riding and with regular trims she stayed sound and her hoofs remained in great shape.
SO... If the vet recommends wedges, give them a try but don't think that means your horse will necessarily have to stay in wedges forever. Hoof shape changes. Hoof conditions change. Even "navicular changes" can change. Strained tendons or ligaments can heal. Bone can remodel. Even arthritis can sometimes be remedied with joint injections. So take prescriptions as a STARTING point, see if it works, and then if it does talk with your vet and farrier about the possibility of working to reduce the "prescription" over time. If you don't ride much in the winter that's a good time to try something a bit different and see how it goes.
JC Dill Photography San Jose & San Francisco Horse Portraits, Horse Show Photography www.jcdill.com
Re: Experience w/navicular?
Posted by 2sillycats on 7/19/2012, 7:49 pm, in reply to "Experience w/navicular?" 70.36.190.167
my gelding was diagnosed when he was 7. Couple years later did an MRI because of something else. Was told he'd be a pasture ornament sooner than later. He's now 16 and going STRONG. My Chiro says he gets better every year.
what is your management plan that is keeping him sound? I assume there are differing degrees of this syndrome--what was your gelding's? Great to know he is going STRONG!! Thanks!
Pleasant Hill, CA
Navicular is no longer the death sentence it used to be.
My now retired 27 year old competed until his late teens. A combination of things kept him sound - consistent, moderate work on very good footing, corrective shoeing and a mix of supplements complimented by adequan and legend.
I think the most important (and most frequently overlooked component) is the footing. I always rode him right after the arena was drug. Made sure that I only showed at facilities where the footing was good. I know that added to the length of his career.
8 years ago during a pre-purchase exam the horse I wanted to purchase had "significant changes his is right foot navicular bone". He was not lame. The diagnosis was nobody could really say if he will be sound one more day or 10 more years. I took the horse on a lease. A year later the owner gave him to me after his vet looked at the xrays from the pre-purchase. 4 years ago I had new x-ray's done and compared to the originals and the changes were even worse. Still my horse is going strong and hasn't been lame. I ride him in excellent footing, don't let his toes get to long, I believe he has natural balance shoes. My farrier is Jesse Adams. Did I mention he is the best horse ever...
!) Any experience w/either? 
. Whatever you decide, the ultimate comfort and soundness of your horse is far more important that hoof care ideology. You may need to experiment to find what works best, but a talented farrier will help you with that choice. Good luck! 
