| The navicular bone is a smooth small pyramid | | | | become un-rideable, only used as a pasture |
| shaped bone that is located deep in the center of | | | | ornament. |
| the foot. Its purpose is to act as sort of a pulley | | | | Equine navicular disease seems to be more |
| for a tendon. When a horse has navicular disease | | | | common in heavy bodied horses with small feet. |
| the little navicular bone becomes rough and the | | | | Such as some quarter horses, paint horses, and |
| tendon fails to slide over it smoothly, this causes | | | | appaloosa horses that are bred with small feet. |
| the horse extreme pain. Though nobody is sure | | | | That is why it is important to purchase a horse |
| of the exact cause of equine navicular. | | | | with big feet. In these breeds it is very common |
| The worst aspect of navicular is that it gets | | | | among horses that have been kept fat that get |
| worse over time and there is no exact cure. In | | | | no type of work or exercise. It can also pop up in |
| the early stages of navicular, the horses | | | | some horses that are used hard in eventing such |
| discomfort can be eased with pain relievers, bute | | | | as hunter jumping & some horse can get |
| etc... This condition can also be helped by special | | | | navicular disease for no apparent reason. So |
| shoeing. I have personally seen this done with | | | | make sure you always pay close attention to |
| some success. Eventually though the horse can | | | | your horses feet. |