Advanced Methods for Navicular Syndrome Treatment in Horses

Navicular syndrome may become a difficult thing for both the horses and the owners. It impacts mobility, comfort, as well as performance. Most of the owners of horses get stressed when they notice that the horse limps or is hurting somehow.

The good thing is that there are advanced treatment processes in the modern world. Such therapies will complement the alleviation of painful conditions and the overall improvement of the health of the hooves in the long term. Due to knowledge of these choices, you can make better decisions regarding the health of your horse.

Understanding Navicular Syndrome

Navicular syndrome is a disease that primarily involves the navicular bone and other structures of the hooves of a horse. In cases where this area is swollen or burnt, the horse may be sore, stiff, or will not move. The condition does not come into the picture abruptly. It normally grows gradually as a result of pressure or repeated stress, or improper balance of the hooves.

The first symptoms consist of tripping, stiffening of steps, or inability to step down the slope. There is also another group of horses whose weight is frequently shifted out of the pressure. It is significant to know these initial signs. It can make you think about navicular syndrome treatment.

Modern Diagnostic Approaches

Veterinarians are now able to diagnose the navicular syndrome using advanced tools. With digital X-rays, they are also able to look inside the hoof and examine the situation with the navicular bone. MRI X-rays even give more details. 

Other possible ones include ultrasound. It helps in detecting injuries to soft tissues. Such improved methods of diagnosing will help vets to come up with a customized treatment program. This eradicates speculation and improves healing.

Advanced Treatment Methods

The current therapies aim at alleviating pain, enhancing the work of the hooves, and regaining balance. Corrective shoeing is one of them. Special shoes having a heel can also be used to help the heel and ease the pressure on the navicular bone. Farriers can also rearrange the angles to enable the horse to walk in accordance with the comfort zone.

The other one is the use of anti-inflammatory medication. These are medications that aid in the management of pain and swelling. In some horses, it helps to relieve the pain at the joint level with the help of joint injections.

Newer therapies are also gaining popularity, e.g., shockwave therapy. Sound waves are applied in this technique to help in healing. Other advanced treatments are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy. They assist in the healing of damaged tissues and aid in long-term healing.

Daily Care and Management Tips

Good daily care is one of the ingredients accompanying the medical treatment. Hooves should be well taken care of. Arranged trims make the hooves balanced and cause less stress to the navicular area. Discuss with your farrier a proper trimming schedule.

The exercise must also be moderate and restrained. The hard surfaces that exaggerate impact should be avoided. Spongy soil is less taxing to the hooves. It is also useful to maintain a healthy weight for your horse. The additional weight imposes an increased load on the feet.