Navicular Disease Can Ruin A Horse
Horse owners rightly fear the problem of founder in their animals. One cause of navicular disease, foundering usually affects the front feet of a horse, resulting in lameness which can be permanent. There are other causes of navicular problems which are still being researched by equine health experts.
'Founder' is an inflammation of the digestive tract stemming from too much rich feed. An animal allowed unlimited access to lush grass can founder, as can one which gets into the feed room and eats a large amount of grain. In these cases, the reaction may be swift, with the horse showing discomfort within hours.
Severely overweight horses are more susceptible to founder. An animal which is foundering is reluctant to move and may stand with front feet stretched out, shifting weight from foot to foot. Being too heavy also puts undue strain on the front feet, which support up to seventy-five percent of the horse's weight.
Although ponies are more susceptible than horses to grass founder, all equines are at risk. Maintaining a proper weight is important, since keeping a horse in a dry lot makes everyone miserable and can result in other problems, like anemia or vices like cribbing. Regular exercise is helpful in keeping weight under control and improving the circulation to the feet.
Horses also may develop navicular problems from working on hard ground, jumping more than their feet can stand, or being poorly shod. Warmbloods make talented sport horses, being athletic enough for show jumping and eventing and sensible enough to handle the stress of competition. However, many people have found it hard to keep these heavy horses sound season after season.
Veterinarians also say that navicular problems can be caused by too much standing, as when a horse is confined to a stall. It is best to turn horses out into fields and paddocks where they can move around at will. Race and show horses which are under heavy work and spend the rest of the time in a stall are particularly at risk.
Proper trimming and shoeing is important. The natural balance and angles of the foot and leg must be maintained for optimum soundness. If the toes are allowed to get too long and the heels to slope too far forward under the foot, stress is put on the deep tendon that passes over the navicular bone and attaches to the coffin bone, another internal part of the hoof. Heels should also be allowed to spread naturally; contracted or too-narrow heels lead to foot problems.
Limiting access to rich grass is always wise, especially in spring when the grass is lushest. Feed rooms should be securely locked. Exercise should be regular, not overly strenuous, and on ground that is not too hard. Regular trimming and shoeing (if necessary) by a skilled farrier is important; owners should know enough to be able to judge the quality of the work.
'Founder' is an inflammation of the digestive tract stemming from too much rich feed. An animal allowed unlimited access to lush grass can founder, as can one which gets into the feed room and eats a large amount of grain. In these cases, the reaction may be swift, with the horse showing discomfort within hours.
Severely overweight horses are more susceptible to founder. An animal which is foundering is reluctant to move and may stand with front feet stretched out, shifting weight from foot to foot. Being too heavy also puts undue strain on the front feet, which support up to seventy-five percent of the horse's weight.
Although ponies are more susceptible than horses to grass founder, all equines are at risk. Maintaining a proper weight is important, since keeping a horse in a dry lot makes everyone miserable and can result in other problems, like anemia or vices like cribbing. Regular exercise is helpful in keeping weight under control and improving the circulation to the feet.
Horses also may develop navicular problems from working on hard ground, jumping more than their feet can stand, or being poorly shod. Warmbloods make talented sport horses, being athletic enough for show jumping and eventing and sensible enough to handle the stress of competition. However, many people have found it hard to keep these heavy horses sound season after season.
Veterinarians also say that navicular problems can be caused by too much standing, as when a horse is confined to a stall. It is best to turn horses out into fields and paddocks where they can move around at will. Race and show horses which are under heavy work and spend the rest of the time in a stall are particularly at risk.
Proper trimming and shoeing is important. The natural balance and angles of the foot and leg must be maintained for optimum soundness. If the toes are allowed to get too long and the heels to slope too far forward under the foot, stress is put on the deep tendon that passes over the navicular bone and attaches to the coffin bone, another internal part of the hoof. Heels should also be allowed to spread naturally; contracted or too-narrow heels lead to foot problems.
Limiting access to rich grass is always wise, especially in spring when the grass is lushest. Feed rooms should be securely locked. Exercise should be regular, not overly strenuous, and on ground that is not too hard. Regular trimming and shoeing (if necessary) by a skilled farrier is important; owners should know enough to be able to judge the quality of the work.
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