It is a serious ailment affecting horses in their limbs where the navicular bone is found. Navicular syndrome in horses comes about due to the abrasion and much friction in the bones and tendons as the bursa raptures. It is triggered by pressure and tension in the feet. It requires early detection and prompts attention and points discussed below can help identify the ailment as it appears.
Limbs in horses are of much importance and anything that alters their function causes feebleness or inefficiency in performance of the animals. At first, it can only be a very mild version of it, but with time as the pain increases it leads to complete lameness. Any signs of reduced activity in a horse should be considered as a symptom of the syndrome.
Movements of the horse experiencing the critical condition is totally difficult. This is due to the pain that is caused by the tension and much pressure and compression in the bone. Any attempt by the horse to reduce pressure causes unsteady and funny movements. Speculation of the disease should also be followed by checking out on how the animal moves.
When the animal is at rest and has succumbed to the syndrome, it experiences no joy at this position due to the pressure on the area where the navicular bone is located which causes pain. To counter this, the animal tries to keep the foot on a pointed position which helps to reduce pressure and concentrate it on the other. Such pointed resting position by the animal should be considered a symptom of the ailment.
Walking is not as normal as it is expected to be. The horse starts walking in short strides which are rather stiff. The reason behind it is that, the horse tries to avoid the flat footed normal walking style as it is associated with much pressure. During movements, it tries to use the toe first before the entire heel reducing pressure exerted and relieving itself of the pain. This is a sure sign of the condition.
Turning sharply or walking on hard grounds becomes a serious problem to the horse. This is because pressure gets concentrated on that region which initiates the pain. Any difficulties observed when in this condition should be considered a sure sign of the syndrome and necessary action should be taken.
When trimming and shoeing the horse, the attendant has to rise the feet of the horse where it has to support itself with the limb affected by the syndrome. Pressure gets concentrated on the foot due to supporting the weight of the animal. This is a cause of pain and the horse responds by being uncooperative to the exercise. This indicates the possibility of the problem in the horse.
Identification of more than one of these signs or several of them should be diagnosed to establish whether it is affected by navicular disease. It is a serious problem and if not catered for may lead to total lameness of the horse. It can also be a cause of making them retire from their work earlier. When diagnosed, the appropriate care and treatment should be undertaken.
Limbs in horses are of much importance and anything that alters their function causes feebleness or inefficiency in performance of the animals. At first, it can only be a very mild version of it, but with time as the pain increases it leads to complete lameness. Any signs of reduced activity in a horse should be considered as a symptom of the syndrome.
Movements of the horse experiencing the critical condition is totally difficult. This is due to the pain that is caused by the tension and much pressure and compression in the bone. Any attempt by the horse to reduce pressure causes unsteady and funny movements. Speculation of the disease should also be followed by checking out on how the animal moves.
When the animal is at rest and has succumbed to the syndrome, it experiences no joy at this position due to the pressure on the area where the navicular bone is located which causes pain. To counter this, the animal tries to keep the foot on a pointed position which helps to reduce pressure and concentrate it on the other. Such pointed resting position by the animal should be considered a symptom of the ailment.
Walking is not as normal as it is expected to be. The horse starts walking in short strides which are rather stiff. The reason behind it is that, the horse tries to avoid the flat footed normal walking style as it is associated with much pressure. During movements, it tries to use the toe first before the entire heel reducing pressure exerted and relieving itself of the pain. This is a sure sign of the condition.
Turning sharply or walking on hard grounds becomes a serious problem to the horse. This is because pressure gets concentrated on that region which initiates the pain. Any difficulties observed when in this condition should be considered a sure sign of the syndrome and necessary action should be taken.
When trimming and shoeing the horse, the attendant has to rise the feet of the horse where it has to support itself with the limb affected by the syndrome. Pressure gets concentrated on the foot due to supporting the weight of the animal. This is a cause of pain and the horse responds by being uncooperative to the exercise. This indicates the possibility of the problem in the horse.
Identification of more than one of these signs or several of them should be diagnosed to establish whether it is affected by navicular disease. It is a serious problem and if not catered for may lead to total lameness of the horse. It can also be a cause of making them retire from their work earlier. When diagnosed, the appropriate care and treatment should be undertaken.