ALL About Navicular

A navicular diagnosis doesn't always mean your horse's riding career is over.

- SARAH E. COLEMAN

Navicular disease used to be a scary diagnosis years ago, the term often meant that a horse's riding days were numbered as his heel pain increased; management options were minimal. Now, however, veterinarians know more about the disease than ever, and can make many horses comfortable.

What is It?

The navicular bone, also called the distal sesamoid bone, is a boat shaped bone toward the back of the hoof that aids in a horse's movement and protects the bottom of the coffin joint. The bone is held in place by tendons and ligaments.

"Navicular syndrome" is when the bone begins to degrade, damaging the surrounding tendons in the process.

Navicular disease is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses, and it can be a frustrating diagnosis. Without X-rays and additional diagnostic tools, such as ultrasound, how badly affected the limbs are isn't always clear.

Navicular disease often occurs in pairs (both front feet), and is often slow to develop, according to Julie Vargas, DVM, Spy Coast Farm's resident veterinarian in Lexington, Ky., who oversees all of the rehabilitation and fitness of Spy Coast's horses as well as those that ship in for care.

This means that though both heels on a horse hurt, he often won't have a head nod telling you he's lame because he's lame on both feet equally.

Navicular usually affects both front feet, but it can happen in any hoof including the hind limbs, though this is less common, says Dr. Vargas.

It's believed that there is some genetic predisposition to the disease, as some breeds, including warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, are more prone to navicular than others-but any breed can develop the issue, Dr. Vargas notes.

There are some additional risk factors to developing navicular.

They include:

Horses with poor front-leg conformation.

Horses with very small hooves.