How Farriers Can Help Horses with Navicular Disease: A Science-Backed Approach
Today's article is actually being brought to you by our first guest blogger...... Tom Anderson from T J Anderson Farriery Ltd has kindly offered his expertise to help us understand how farriery can play a crucial role in managing pain, mobility, and limiting further damage through therapeutic trimming and shoeing methods. You can learn more about Tom on our website under the "meet the team" tab. Tom is going to take this article from here....
Navicular syndrome is a complex and often misunderstood condition affecting the back half of the horse's hoof, it is commonly associated with pain in the heel and progressive lameness. A skilled farrier plays a crucial role in managing navicular syndrome and improving the quality of life for affected horses. Let’s explore how farriers can help, using scientific insights and evidence-based approaches.
What is Navicular Syndrome?
Navicular syndrome involves degeneration of the navicular apparatus, which includes the navicular bone, the deep digital flexor tendon, and associated ligaments. When this condition develops, the bone and surrounding structures can deteriorate, leading to pain and lameness, often in the front hooves. Factors contributing to navicular disease include:
1. Conformation defects: Horses with upright pasterns or small, boxy hooves are more susceptible (McCarthy et al., 2012).
2. High-impact activities: Jumping or working on hard surfaces can increase stress on the navicular apparatus (Dyson, 2011).
3. Improper trimming and shoeing: Poor hoof care can exacerbate strain on the navicular bone and surrounding tendons (Parks, 2011).
The Role of a Farrier in Navicular Management
While veterinarians handle diagnosis and medical treatment, farriers are essential in providing mechanical support to alleviate stress on the navicular region. The right trimming and shoeing approach can significantly reduce pain and promote long-term soundness.
1. Hoof Balance and Trimming
Achieving proper hoof balance is vital in managing navicular disease. Farriers focus on maintaining a balance between the toe and heel to achieve ideal hoof-pastern axis, which reduces strain on the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone. There is a lot of analysis when it comes to trimming, we are trying to take all of the structures in consideration to optimise comfort holistically all the time and is a crucial part of our training.
- Breakover Point: Adjusting the breakover point can lessen the force exerted on the navicular apparatus. By shortening the toe, a farrier can move the breakover point backward, decreasing strain on the deep digital flexor tendon (Eliashar et al., 2007). A study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science found that horses with modified breakover showed improved gait and reduced pressure on the hoof's posterior structures (Eliashar et al., 2007).
- Heel Support: Horses with navicular disease often have under-run or collapsed heels. Proper trimming can improve heel support, redistributing weight and preventing excessive strain. A balanced hoof can help alleviate pain associated with the condition (McCarthy et al., 2012).
2. Shoeing Solutions for Navicular Disease
Shoeing is often necessary for providing mechanical relief and pain reduction. The type of shoe used will depend on the horse’s unique conformation, the cause of the navicular and the severity of the condition. We cannot stress enough that navicular is such an individualised syndrome which required careful assessment and analysis to formulate an optimal treatment plan regarding trimming and shoeing. With that being said, lets explore a few examples of shoes that may be used in navicular cases.
- Egg Bar Shoes: These shoes provide extra support to the caudal aspect of the hoof and relieving pressure on the navicular bone. Research indicates that egg bar shoes can reduce heel pain in horses with navicular syndrome, thereby improving overall hoof biomechanics (Parks, 2011). However, with these shoes it is important to provide support to the frog in these cases, therefore we may use other shoeing materials to add this support.
- Rocker-Toe or Rolled-Toe Shoes: These facilitate easier breakover, reducing the effort required for lifting the hoof and lessening strain on the navicular bone (Dyson, 2011).
- Wedge Heels: Elevating the heel with a wedge shoe reduces pressure on the navicular region by altering the angle of the hoof. However, caution is advised, as long-term use can lead to hoof capsule distortion (McCarthy et al., 2012). It is highly advised to, again, add from support when raising the heels. The weight that is being added onto the heels requires even distribution and for this increase in load to be shared.
3. Therapeutic Pads and Materials
Farriers may use pads or softer hoof packing materials to provide additional cushioning for horses with disease of the navicular bone, navicular bursitis or distal impar ligament damage. These materials absorb shock, reducing concussive forces that aggravate these structures.
- Pour-in Pads: These improve comfort and support. Pads made from polyurethane or silicone can help distribute weight evenly and reduce impact on the navicular bone (Dyson, 2011).
- Shock-Absorbing Hoof Packing: A study found that therapeutic shoeing that incorporates shock-absorbing materials significantly improves outcomes for horses with navicular syndrome, reducing pain and enhancing hoof biomechanics (Parks, 2011).
4. Regular Maintenance and Monitoring
Consistency in hoof care is crucial for managing navicular disease. Regular trimming and shoeing appointments help maintain balance, preventing worsening of the condition.
- Frequent Shoeing: Horses with navicular disease may require reshoeing every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure optimal hoof health (McCarthy et al., 2012). This frequency helps maintain the corrective measures implemented by the farrier.
- Prognosis: Navicular syndrome is almost always a progressively degenerative condition, especially in the case of navicular disease. But proper hoof care can massively slow progression of the condition and both extend the useful life of the horse and give them back quality of life.
5. Collaboration with Veterinarians
A successful approach requires teamwork between farriers and veterinarians. Radiographs and other diagnostic scans, provided by the veterinarian, help the farrier understand the extent of changes to the structures in the navicular region, informing trimming and shoeing decisions (Eliashar et al., 2007).
Conclusion
Navicular syndrome can be challenging, but a skilled farrier can play a transformative role in managing the condition. Through proper hoof balance, appropriate shoeing techniques, and collaboration with veterinarians, farriers help reduce pain and enhance the mobility of horses with navicular syndrome. These interventions, supported by scientific studies and practical experience, are essential in providing horses with a better quality of life.
References
1. Eliashar, E., et al. (2007). "Effects of a Novel Shoeing Method on Hoof Biomechanics in Horses with Navicular Disease." *Journal of Equine Veterinary Science*.
2. Dyson, S. (2011). "Therapeutic Farriery for Lameness." *Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice*.
3. McCarthy, R. N., et al. (2012). "Navicular Disease in Horses: Causes and Management." *Equine Veterinary Journal*.
4. Parks, A. H. (2011). "Foot Pain and Therapeutic Shoeing for Lameness Associated with the Foot." *Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice*.
Written by Tom Anderson of T J Anderson Ltd and edited by Loicia Johnson or Loicia Rehabilitation Specialist.
Comments