Navicular in a young horse - Updated #13

[MsM]

@eruss

It’d be interesting to see x-rays of last shoeing and next shoeing. NB shoes reduce force to the deep flexor tendon but increase load on the heels. 2 degree pad also decreases pressure on deep flexor tendon and increases load on the heels.

Generally what happens is the back of the foot collapses throughout the shoeing cycle. When the shoes/pads are taken off the foot is at a worse angle than when you originally started.

Quick fixes are generally long term problems.

His feet looked really good. Not typical of feet prone to issues at all. The toes were a little long, but he was overdue for a trim when radiographs were done (I postponed it until after diagnostics.) He did not have low or underrun heels. I hope they dont get crushed, but what else can you do to protect the DDFT while healing?

[eruss]

@MsM

I hope they dont get crushed, but what else can you do to protect the DDFT while healing?

Does it need protecting?

Movement seems to help get a better repair of a tendon. Wouldn’t decreasing the normal force to the tendon via shoes and pads be the exact opposite of what movement is trying to achieve?