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Asked by: Snezana Luri
medical health foot healthHow does navicular affect a horse?
Last Updated: 16th May, 2020
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Herein, can a horse with navicular be ridden?
Ideally, horses with navicular disease should never go barefoot. Turn your horse out in a pasture or paddock all day every day, if possible, and limit his time in the stall. If he's still sound enough to ride, try to do so only on soft footing.
Similarly, what can you do for a horse with navicular? For acute pain, a veterinarian might prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as bute or firocoxib to help make the horse more comfortable and break the conditions initial pain cycle, Peters says. Bisphosphonates are another drug treatment option for specific navicular syndrome cases.
Subsequently, question is, can a horse recover from navicular?
Arthritis and true navicular disease don't heal with rest. Signs may improve, but they return when the horse goes back to work. Changes to the bone can't be reversed so treatment focuses on managing the condition to slow its progression and keeping the horse as comfortable as possible.
How common is navicular disease in horses?
Shoeing. Poor trimming, shoe selection, or inappropriate shoe attachment are well-known causes of lameness, and navicular disease is fairly common in the modern-day domesticated horse. However, it is also seen in wild horse populations.