Veterinarians and horse owners now know that there are many problems that can affect that area of the horse’s anatomy; some can be helped, but not all of them can be fixed. It also is known that in certain breeds of horses, the problem can become worse with age. In this era of horses living longer, it behooves owners to recognize the early signs of navicular syndrome, and know the options for your horse.
Etiology:
The pathophysiology of navicular disease is unknown. The syndrome is likely due to a complex pathogenesis rather than a specific disease entity, although the greatest consensus appears to support a biomechanical component (causing increased bone medullary pressure) and possibly a vascular component. There appears to be a hereditary predisposition, indicated by the sharp decrease in incidence of the disease in Dutch Warmbloods after certification of stallions with severe navicular changes for breeding was disallowed. It is considered to be a disease of the more mature riding horse, commonly not appearing until 8–10 yr of age. Navicular disease is over represented in some breeds (eg, Warm blood horses, Quarter horses,standard breeds and Thoroughbreds) and rare in others (eg, Arabians, Friesians). It is usually a progressively deteriorating condition after onset. Conformation of the distal limb is likely to play a large role in the disease process and degree of lameness. Excessive pressure on the navicular bone occurs with a “broken back” hoof-pastern axis, usually accompanied by an underrun heel and excessively long toe. This conformation, leading to excessive concussion between the flexor tendon and the navicular bone, may also cause navicular bursitis, with direct damage to the fibrocartilage of the flexor surface and the collagenous surface of the flexor tendon itself.
The primary function of the navicular bone is to provide a gliding surface at the point where the deep digital flexor tendon changes angle; the tendon courses down the back of the cannon bone and bends around the back of the fetlock, between the proximal sesamoid bones, then makes a sharper bend over the navicular bone, and attaches on the bottom of the coffin bone.
Improper trimming and shoeing can contribute to navicular disease. Navicular problems can be caused by any type of shoeing that interferes with the normal action of the frog and quarters. Heels that are too high or too low break the axis of the pastern.
Foot care should include trimming and shoeing that restores normal phalangeal alignment and balance; response to corrective shoeing commonly takes ~2 wk. The principal object of shoeing is to decrease the pressure on the navicular bone. The shoeing technique that most effectively decreases pressure on the navicular area is raising the heel (usually performed with wedge pads or a wedged shoe). Rolling the toe of the shoe further relieves the pressure on the navicular bone. The egg bar shoe does not decrease navicular pressure in sound horses on a hard surface but has been reported to effectively decrease forces on the navicular bone in some horses with navicular disease or collapsed heels. Additionally, egg bar shoes are likely to more effectively decrease forces on the navicular area on soft surfaces (that horses are normally worked on); they are purported to work somewhat like a snowshoe by not allowing the heel to sink as deeply into a soft surface as a foot with a standard shoe would. Natural balance shoes are ineffective at decreasing navicular pressure.
Traditional treatment injection of the coffin joint with corticosteroids will markedly improve soundness in ~⅓ of horses (for an average of 2 mo), whereas injection of corticosteroid into the navicular bursa is reported to resolve the lameness for an average of 4 mo in 80% of horses that do not respond to standard treatments
Medication generally involves the use of an anti-inflammatory drug such as phenylbutazone (Bute), and works better in some cases than others. Depending on the horse’s work schedule and the cause of his pain, you might be able to only dose him on days surrounding work, thereby minimizing total dosing. The specific medication program should be worked out by your veterinarian.
Herbal treatment can assist with reducing inflammation and support blood supply and circulation to peripheral vessels .
Herbs such as Boswellia interfering with cytokine production that raises inflammation (interferon gamma, interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)Among the valuable boswellia tree extracts that researchers have identified, several stand out as being most beneficial, including terpenes and boswellic acids, which are strongly anti-inflammatory and protective over healthy cells.
Its comparable to cortisone ,phenyibutazone and prednisone
Other chemical compounds have been identified in boswellia that naturally reduce the inflammatory response by controlling T-lymphocytes, especially one called AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid). Although it works similarly to NSAID pain relievers, AKBA’s exact mechanisms of action are very different because they target different inflammatory enzymes. Because they’re better able to preserve the integrity of the stomach and gut lining, boswellia’s extracts cause less side effects and pose less risk for toxicity compared to NSAIDs.
Yarrow-
Yarrow acts as anti inflammatory and peripheral vasoldialtor support blood and circulation to peripheral blood vessels are is great for navicular syndrome treatment there are other herbs such as Ginkgo Bilbao and grape seed work on the PBV.
Herbs high in silica such as clivers, oat straw,couch grass help strengthen hooves building bone, giving strength to body tissue and joint health.
White willow-
White willow for pain relief has the same effect as aspirin but to a lesser degree .White willow often referred as natures aspirin is used for all types of body pain and is useful for arthritic pain and inflammation.
Devils claw –
Devils claw known as natures bute is well known for its ability to provide fast effective and reliable pain relief as well as anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic benefits.Devils claw is used to trat arthritis,hip pain,tendon and ligament damage ,navicular joint injury where the pain and inflammation require elimination.
Cats claw-
Cats claw another great herb to relieve chronic pain Cat’s Claw’s bark and roots provide most of its immune boosting qualities via oxindole alkaloids. These alkaloids enhance white blood cells’ ability to engulf pathogens and destroy them.Reduces pain and inflammation,arthritis and other types of inflammatory issues ,promotes the healing of wounds and helps relieve chronic pain
Rose hips-
Rose hips high in vitamin C is used for joint pain and joint stiffness,preventative measure for joint problems ,degenerative joint disease ,chronic low grade lameness,cartilage protection ,navicular and ring bone.
Comfrey –
Comfrey has the ability to heal bone,cartilage and soft connective tissue. It breaks down red blood cells to help bruising . Great for arthritis and rheumatic conditions.
Use externally as poultice for bruised muscles ,ligaments ,shin soreness ,joint pain and inflammation.
Make A Comfrey Poultice
A poultice is the application to an affected part of crushed herbs or other matter to assist healing such as Epsom salt and bentonite clay It is used to draw out infection and toxins, and to reduce inflammation – the poultice works by absorbing them, through the skin. In the process, nutrients may be introduced into the affected area as well.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), or ‘Knitbone’, as it is commonly called, is a well-known healing herb with an exceptional capacity to heal tissue and bone (it contains allantoin, which promotes the growth of connective tissue, bone, and cartilage, and is easily absorbed through the skin).
Some conditions for which a comfrey poultice may be useful:
Cuts, scrapes, burns, sprains, strains, fractures, swollen glands, ulceration of the skin, painful swelling, heat, and inflammation, arthritis, abscesses, bedsores, and more.
You can easily make your own poultices with fresh comfrey, or other herbs and natural ingredients.
If you are concerned about your horses health contact your vet.
Source :
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/navicular-disease-in-horses
Rosemarie
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