| If you're studying navicular disease you're | | | | bones. The problems are compounding aren't |
| undoubtedly finding a fairly wide array of | | | | they? Narrow heels, low slung heels with more |
| information. Let's just look at it from the | | | | pressure against the navicular bones and added to |
| prevention/shoeing perspective. | | | | that the stretch against the deep flexor tendon is |
| Navicular disease accurately describes a | | | | also pulling at the coffin bone possibly causing |
| deteriorating condition of the navicular bones that | | | | coffin bone rotation (the tip of the coffin bone |
| lie in the horse's foot. Causes can vary and | | | | driving downward toward the ground). |
| actually pinpointing the real cause often times is | | | | To combat these issues is surely necessary and |
| left undetected - there are just too many factors | | | | possible. For one start moving the shoe toward |
| that can contribute to the problem. One such | | | | the rear of the horse. The shoe can be moved |
| factor is shoeing. | | | | very close to the white line on the bottom of the |
| The navicular bones are under constant pressure | | | | foot and the excess hoof wall can be removed |
| from the deep flexor tendon. The deep flexor | | | | by rasping. This will help prevent the hoof wall |
| tendon is the long steel like cable of tendon that | | | | from continuing to stretch forward and pull the |
| runs down the back of the leg down the back | | | | heels with it. By moving the shoe rearward the |
| side of the pastern joint right over the navicular | | | | heels of the shoe move to the rear of the foot |
| bones and attaches itself to the coffin bone. | | | | as well helping support the heel of the foot from |
| Without that deep flexor tendon there basically is | | | | sinking into the ground which causes more stretch |
| nothing to support the weight of the horse and | | | | and pressure. |
| the fetlock joint would collapse and fall to the | | | | Now that some changes have been made in the |
| ground. | | | | right direction you'll also want to help the heels |
| So while the navicular bones are pressed into the | | | | expand (width) to give the navicular bones more |
| foot by the deep flexor tendon it would be | | | | room. Removing the bars of the hoof will allow |
| prudent to make sure the bones in the navicular | | | | more expansion (width) movement at the heels. |
| area can function at their best which brings us to | | | | Leaving the heel nail out of the lateral side of the |
| how shoeing can have an affect. | | | | foot will also give one side of the foot freedom |
| It's typically understood that contracted heels | | | | to expand. In an extreme case it's possible to |
| have a negative effect on navicular disease. The | | | | rasp away at the bars widening the heels as well. |
| narrow heels squeeze and crowd the navicular | | | | Temporarily and sometimes permanently it may |
| bones. The bones need room to breathe so to | | | | be necessary to use wedge pads to elevate the |
| speak and contracted (narrow) heels don't allow | | | | heel of the horse as well. |
| this. | | | | Shoeing is very important and there are more |
| Horses with long toes, where the hoof wall is | | | | things to consider with regard to shoeing that are |
| allowed to keep growing out in front, have a | | | | as important as the above aforementioned |
| tendency toward contracted heels. The reason | | | | discussion. The reason these corrections have |
| for this is as the toe keeps moving and growing | | | | been discussed in the first place is most likely due |
| forward the load and weight of the horse has a | | | | to Farriers not using the correct methods of |
| tendency to stretch the hoof wall more forward - | | | | shoeing to start with. To prevent horse lameness |
| this condition will drag the heels forward as well. | | | | you'll want to be informed for yourself. The |
| As the heels press forward the heels also | | | | Author of this article has a 16 year 100% track |
| contract and narrow. The pinching of the navicular | | | | record "Not One Single Lame Horse". If you want |
| bones start and so do the possible problems. | | | | his method to prevent lameness for yourself just |
| While the heels move forward they usually get | | | | go to the web address below in the author bio. It |
| shorter meaning the angle of the hoof reduces | | | | will be made available. |
| and the heels of the foot are closer to the | | | | Thank you - safe and sound riding and remember |
| ground as well - the horse needs "lifts" in the heel. | | | | to Care4Horses. |
| This lower heel condition also puts more pressure | | | | Reprint rights allowed providing nothing is changed. |
| on the deep flexor tendon against the navicular | | | | |