Navicular damage is quite common in horses that have spent many years jumping, have been ridden hard on hard ground, have improper angles of the hoof and pastern area which causes excessive stress on the deep digital ligament, or have small hooves that do not absorb the shock of contact with the ground. Navicular syndrome can be treated in a variety of ways. This is related to the fact that it has a variety of causes. Prognostically, most horses will improve with treatment. One can expect about half of the horses to become useably sound for one year, no matter what treatment is used. The disease is progressive, and affected horses eventually will need to be retired because of lameness. The therapeutic approach is to utilize shoeing as the primary therapy. Shoeing is performed to correct structural problems and to ensure that shoeing is physiologically sound. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not used unless radical changes have been made in the shoeing. In cases of confirmed distal interphalangeal joint synovitis, either sodium hyaluronate or polysulfated glycosaminoglycans will be used in conjunction with shoeing. In cases where decreased circulation is documented, isoxsuprine hydrochloride will be administered if shoeing alone has not improved the horse within six weeks. The pain the horse is feeling in his hooves is most likely not due to being ridden incorrectly but as a result of the navicular syndrome, especially since radiographs indicate the early stages.
Some studies are looking at different treatments that might include not actually shoeing but trimming and consistent care. Some of this information can be found online.
Please encourage the farrier and veterinarian to work together to make the horse comfortable. There are many treatment options that will make the horse comfortable and functionally sound to ride.
