My 13 year old mare was just diagnosed with mild navicular in her left front hoof. We only trail ride and I think walking her will be fine, but I was wondering if it’s okay to trot and/or canter. Would that put too much stress on her navicular hoof?
More info is needed. What was the diagnosis based on? Can you post a few pictures of said foot, and even the other one to compare to?
Good Hoof Photos - How to take Good Hoof Photos
I ask how the diagnosis was made, because wayyyyy too many diagnoses of “navicular” are simply poor trimming leading to contracted and sore heels, and usually fixing the trim fixes the problem, as long as the trim hasn’t been bad enough, for long enough, to cause permanent damage.
3 Likes
The diagnosis was made by my vet after taking X-rays of the hoof. She as “pointing” her left leg and was becoming lame in that leg after rides. My farrier has started trimming her hoofs close and rolling her front hooves.
Thank you for your reply. I just found an article online that answered my question.
But what, other than “pointing” and “lame” points to navicular? All that can be caused by contracted heels.
1 Like
we get a lot of horses in with navicular for rehab, and it’s amazing how many come sound and stay sound with the correct trimming. usually they arrive in after years of wedge shoes and we transition them all the barefoot, and it’s amazing how the hoof transforms.
4 Likes
I agree with JB. I have a horse in training, whose navicular syndrome in both front feet has been confirmed by MRI. He is sound, and is training at Second Level in dressage. However, he is VERY carefully managed in terms of the footing he works on, and with regard to his hoof angles. I have a wonderful farrier, and this horse is on a 5 week rotation, which is sometimes moved to 4 weeks, so that we minimize changes, and keep his toes short and his angles correct. He works on softer footing than I would choose for most horses, and I keep him off his front end during work. There are times in the year when he’s in Shock Tamer pads (summer and winter, when the ground is dry and hard, or frozen. He’s turned out a minimum of 12 hours per day, in a small herd, in a variety of 5 acre pastures with some hills. The other major change was stopping trail riding up, and therefore down, mountains, on hard ground. At this stage he is 19, maintained without medication, and gallops happily in the pasture and clearly enjoys his work. Management and flexible expectations go a long way.
4 Likes
What did the article say? Can you link to it?
I think as with most things, the answer depends on the horse. If the horse is lame after being ridden, then I’d say she can’t be ridden. Trail riding can be hard on a horse with varying footing and terrain. That’s different then a walk around the property. You said she’s lame after riding, so I think that’s your answer.
2 Likes
If she is still “pointing” and becoming lame after riding, don’t ride her. Are you giving her something for pain relief?
1 Like
She is doing well now- no more lameness. I am just walking her on rides and keeping her feet trimmed. She has always been barefoot and I am keeping her that way.
The article recommended not trotting a horse with navicular or turning it in tight circles, so we are just going on leisurely walks now and she is doing fine. No more lameness.
1 Like
