A 10-year study in the United Kingdom investigated the relationships between clinical signs, response to nerve blocks, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for horses diagnosed with navicular disease. The 4,618 horses examined were presented with a complaint of forelimb lameness and received a typical clinical workup prior to MRI.

As far back as ancient Greece, horsemen have recognized the importance of the hoof, and the influence of the hoof-ground interface (on the way of going of the horse). Lacking the wings of Pegasos, real horses are subject to the shock of impact with the ground passing through their hooves and lower limbs.