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confusing Rx/navicular
Post At
07/31/2009 - 7:51 am
reply from
kerry warren-couch
Heartbroken - 9 yo G Reg. Fnd Qrt Hr Dx with spurs & possible early onset navicular- xrays & ultrasound show mild decreased vascularization of navicular, anterior/superior spur ( small/slightly rounded) on coffin bone, sharp spur on navicular bursa. HOrse lame X 18 mons. Xrays/ultrasounds done last yr with repeat yesterday. NB spur is new, decreased blood flow is new. 100% sound after heel nerve block.
Horse is WELL cared for. NOT heavily used. 1500 lbs, 16.1hh, big boned, smallish feet. Use: was my field hunter. Has had 18 mons off- turnout-only.
Meticulous owner. This is a super horse- one of those rare finds, personality & performance are fantastic.
Diet: pasture grasses, quality grass hay, SafeChoice feed- fresh water 3x per day.
Stalled only when hot, flies, bad weather then in 12 x 12 box on mats. Increased lameness when stalled or ground is DRY & hard.
Barefoot- good angles re Vet. Trimmed 4 wk intervals.
Review of treatment options online- conflicting- with mixed outcomes. Already have two different Rx recommendations from two dif vets. ( got second opinion) Too many differing approaches. I don't know what to do. This is a good horse. I love him. I want to feel confident I am doing the right thing for the horse- but what is it? What works? Anything new that seems to really have consistently good outcomes? Oh- frustrating.
Horse is WELL cared for. NOT heavily used. 1500 lbs, 16.1hh, big boned, smallish feet. Use: was my field hunter. Has had 18 mons off- turnout-only.
Meticulous owner. This is a super horse- one of those rare finds, personality & performance are fantastic.
Diet: pasture grasses, quality grass hay, SafeChoice feed- fresh water 3x per day.
Stalled only when hot, flies, bad weather then in 12 x 12 box on mats. Increased lameness when stalled or ground is DRY & hard.
Barefoot- good angles re Vet. Trimmed 4 wk intervals.
Review of treatment options online- conflicting- with mixed outcomes. Already have two different Rx recommendations from two dif vets. ( got second opinion) Too many differing approaches. I don't know what to do. This is a good horse. I love him. I want to feel confident I am doing the right thing for the horse- but what is it? What works? Anything new that seems to really have consistently good outcomes? Oh- frustrating.
Reply at
12/ 7/2009 - 12:26 pm
reply from
Jim Goede
Kerry,
You have a pretty large horse, with what you called "smallish" feet. I assume these would be in the 0/00 range. You also have a mechanical issue that I assume you aren't going to address with a surgical approach. What I would do is put on a set of aluminum eggbar navicular shoes to raise the angle a bit (to pull some of the pressure off between the tendon and the Navicular bone), provide more support (for the small feet) and a smoother breakover (to ease the stress on the coffin joint). I would also put some soft pads on with some Equipad underneath to obsorbe shock . I have had good luck with this on a horse with a broken navicular bone. If you want to stay barefoot your options for mechanical relief are pretty limited. This is just one approach that has worked for me...there are many more. Every horse is different. Hope this helps.
Jim
You have a pretty large horse, with what you called "smallish" feet. I assume these would be in the 0/00 range. You also have a mechanical issue that I assume you aren't going to address with a surgical approach. What I would do is put on a set of aluminum eggbar navicular shoes to raise the angle a bit (to pull some of the pressure off between the tendon and the Navicular bone), provide more support (for the small feet) and a smoother breakover (to ease the stress on the coffin joint). I would also put some soft pads on with some Equipad underneath to obsorbe shock . I have had good luck with this on a horse with a broken navicular bone. If you want to stay barefoot your options for mechanical relief are pretty limited. This is just one approach that has worked for me...there are many more. Every horse is different. Hope this helps.
Jim
Reply at
02/ 7/2010 - 2:04 pm
reply from
Derek Grimwood
Kerry,
There is no specific fix for your horse although the approach Jim wrote above is a place to start. What works for one shoeing might need to be changed later on. You have to be willing to try different things to find what your horse likes best. You may want to try the two different Rx from your vets and may find they both work or may work by alternating. The lesson I have learned is that there will not be a fix but maintenance for this type of issue.
Derek
There is no specific fix for your horse although the approach Jim wrote above is a place to start. What works for one shoeing might need to be changed later on. You have to be willing to try different things to find what your horse likes best. You may want to try the two different Rx from your vets and may find they both work or may work by alternating. The lesson I have learned is that there will not be a fix but maintenance for this type of issue.
Derek
Reply at
02/ 9/2010 - 8:09 am
reply from
Dr. Esco Buff, PhD, CF
Jim and Derek,
I want to publically thank you for your professional manner and conduct in handling your answers to questions being posted on this site. Keep up the good work.
Esco Buff, PhD, CF
I want to publically thank you for your professional manner and conduct in handling your answers to questions being posted on this site. Keep up the good work.
Esco Buff, PhD, CF
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