Navicular

Navicular Disease or Syndrome in Horses
by Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Introduction to Navicular Disease
Lameness specialists and researchers of navicular disease have replaced the term "disease" with the term "syndrome".

Navicular Syndrome: lameness in the rear third of a front foot which will block out with a posterior digital nerve block, usually both fronts involved, although sometimes not evident until one is blocked.

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Navicular in Horses is a common source of performance limiting lameness in the front legs of horses. How does navicular disease affect your horse and what are the causes, diagnosis and treatment.

navicular disease - A degenerative disease that affects the navicular bone (small bone in the back of the foot), navicular bursa and deep flexor tendon. Generally considered a disease of the front feet.

Navicular disease A disease of the navicular bone (a small bone at the end of the leg) which leads to lameness. Caused by improper shoeing and excess stress on the hooves.

While mild navicular changes, sesamoids, pastern arthritis and bone spavin may be permitted on radiographs, osteochondrosis in the hock or stifle is not allowed.

Quarter Horses may also suffer from navicular disease, a degenerative bone disease associated with the feet. Although this is not hereditary, the Quarter Horse has a predisposition for this condition due to its straight legged conformation.

It is a group of joint disorders, most frequently involving the hocks, front fetlocks, and the coffin joints and navicular bones of the front feet. Understanding how arthritis affects the joints is easier when you know how a normal joint functions.

Their hind legs tend to be "cow-hocked", and fortunately, spavin, navicular, and hoof diseases are rarely present. Their summer coats are short and tight while during the winter the hair grows curly, very thick, and long.

See also: Hoof, Farrier, Fetlock, Pony, Don