Post by Admin on Aug 4, 2005 15:35:17 GMT 1
Subject : Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 10:19:00 AM
In December last year my 8 year old mare was diagnosed with Navicular and side bone.
Since then she has had a course of ionate injections from the vet and a course of Navilox. She is now on Cosequin long term and is shod in Natural Balance shoes.
She has never been really lame by it just what I would say as 'unlevel'. Since being on the Navilox this did improve and I also had her checked by Back Lady to make sure everything was ok in that department.
The problem that I have now is that she is going 'unlevel' again.... I have had a conversation with the vet about this and she is going to come out and see her again but the prognosis is not good as she has had all the treatment that she can for it.
I wondered if anyone can share their experience or advice with me on this as I am very worried.
Lou
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sharon
Date : 04.04.05 11:10:00 AM
My pony was diagnosed with navicular just over 2 years ago after intermittent lameness in front. He was diagnosed at the vet school and I was told the prognosis was not good. We were told to try remedial shoeing and bute but were warned it was a progressive thing and he would get worse.
We were also advised that some people prefer to have them put to sleep as often thay cannot be ridden any more. That was not an option I was willing to consider.
We have tried various shoes, heartbar, silicon wedges, barefoot etc. sometimes he would be almost sound for a little while and gradually would become more and more lame again.
A lot of people will recommend going barefoot and if this works for your horse great but it didnt work for mine, we tried it for about 6 months and he was absolutely crippled without shoes (we do have an extremely experienced farrier) Eventually my vet said there was nothing much more he could do and suggested Navilox. I got a second opinion from another vet who said that after seeing a lot of horses on navilox for navicular he didnt think it was very effective (and is very expensive) My pony has since developed bone spavin and at the new vets recommendation has had steroid injections is still on bute (well actually not bute a new type kinder to the stomach) cortavet and is shod with raised heel, rolled toe shoes and has been brought back into light work. This is soundest I've seen him for a long time and has been going on for about 6 months now. The vet also told me about a treatment called Tildren which can be used for navicular and bone spavin. It is expensive (around £500) and as I am exempt for navicular cant go through insurance for that.However we may be able to try via bone spavin if we show everything else has failed.
I hope this helps and what I would say is keep an open mind and go with whatever works for your horse. They are all different and some things work for some and not others.
Good luck
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From :
Date : 04.04.05 11:31:00 AM
Lou E, could you post some pics of your horse's feet?
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 12:23:00 AM
Thank you for that Sharon - at the moment I am still within my claim period so can still use my insurance.
My farrier is very good and I have arranged for him to come out this week so that we can discuss any alterations in shoes.... Barefoot for me is not an option as she goes foot sore very easily without shoes and Im not prepared to put her through that at the moment.
Anon - I can post some but not now as I am at work.... She has what you might refer to as 'boxy' feet although these have improved with the natural balance shoes.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From :
Date : 04.04.05 2:09:00 PM
My TB has had navicular for years. She improved dramatically with egg bar shoes. I tried going barefoot but it was a definite no go - she was in obvious pain. I don't jump her any more (apart from popping over the odd log on a hack). Also, I never trot on the road or do any fast work on hard ground. I had really thick stable mats and this definitely helped a huge amount. Now she only suffers when the ground is hard - she points her front leg forward. I've put patches of sand in the field where she stands dozing so when the rest of the ground is hard she can stand on that. She also loves eating the hawthorne hedge which herbalists recommend for navicular.
I think you have to accept that you can never go back to riding like you used to but your horse can still have a good life as a happy hacker! Good luck with your horse. :-)
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : springtide
Date : 04.04.05 2:15:00 PM
there is a drug available which allows a very competitive horse to continue, think its called tendren but not 100% sure can research it on internet.
julie
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : springtide
Date : 04.04.05 2:17:00 PM
there is a drug available which allows a very competitive horse to continue, think its called tendren but not 100% sure can research it on internet.
julie
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 2:29:00 PM
Thanks for that Anon - she always has her head in the Hawthorne Hedge so Im reassured to know that she is getting some goodness from it as well!
Julie - Think you might mean Tildren? I have heard varying reports about that - think you have to have it on a special licsence. Im going to discuss it with my vet I would be interested to see if anyone on here has used it and can give me their experience on it.
Lou
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From :
Date : 04.04.05 2:33:00 PM
4 years ago Alex was diagnosed with navicular,sidebone, bog spavin, thoroughpin, calcification of the ligaments, etc etc at age 4. I was devestated. I did everything the vets told me to do, I tried 8 different types of shoe, 3 farriers, navilox, cortaflex, rest, work, magnetic boots, devils claw, cider vinegar, etc etc etc. He responded, then went backwards again and so the pattern continued. He was so sore when he lost a shoe that he looked (and acted) acutely laminitic. I could never contemplate barefoot, although lots of people told me to do it. I was left just before Christmas with the vet telling me for the third time to have him put down- I had tried everything and there was nothing more i could do. There was one thing I hadnt tried, though and that was barefoot. So I did some research and thought well, I really do not have anything to lose. he was goign to be put down anyway, so this really is the last resort.
Ive got a specialist remedial trimmer coming to me and for the first time, Alex has grown 1.5 cm of hoof in 5 weeks- this is an absolute shock to me as the farrier could never trimhim as he never grew any hoof, despite me feeding him biotin, zinc and methionine or cornucrecine hoof formula, or farriers formula. He was sore after his first trim, but not nearly as sore as I expected him to be, and 4 weeks later he was walking comfortably on the flat concrete yard (still ouchy on stones, but it's early days).
I have sat at this pc and typed onto this DG mroe times than I care to rememebr that barefoot was NOT an option for ALex and never would be becuase he was too sore without shoes. I tell, you what, looking at the progress he is making now and the way he is walking with a heel first landing and striding out more comfortable than I have seen him in a very long time, I wish I had tried all this right at the start.
The Pete Ramey article about navicular and barefoot is a good one. I'll post a link to it in a minute.
I cant say that Alex will be fine and barefoot will 'cure him' as it is still very early days, but by the looks of things, it is going to be a hell fo a lot better for him than banging those blessed shoes onto him all to no avail.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 04.04.05 2:35:00 PM
www.hoofrehab.com/end_of_white_line_disease.htm#Navicular
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 2:39:00 PM
Thanks Sal
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 04.04.05 3:27:00 PM
I am so made up for you and Alex, Sal. I know it's early days, but even this small amount of relief must be wonderful for you both.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : tara
Date : 04.04.05 3:52:00 PM
Lots of Navicular discussions on the Cytek forum at the moment.
www.cytekhorse.com
Good luck with your Girlie anyway!!
t x
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 04.04.05 4:43:00 PM
Thanks Wendy. Like I say, it's early days, but I hadnt dared to think he would be doing so well so quickly. Connor is able to hack out for 30 mins now- mostly soily tracks, but some road work too, so he is doing great too. SUCH a relief!!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 04.04.05 4:51:00 PM
Did you get boots for them Sal? Are they OK off the carpet now? Sorry for being so nosey but this all fascinates me. I'm a geek, I know...LOL
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 04.04.05 5:16:00 PM
My last post caused some 'problems' shall we say, so I havent posted any 'official' updates.
However, Connor no longer needs the carpet and is walking fine across the yard. Alex still needs the carpet and uses it daily, but is looking great on in the field. It was interesting to see how he had taken the quarters out himself of the feet that werent trimmed last time and was starting on the toes - he knew what he needed to happen!!
I havent used boots, other than mousemats and poultice boots to keep them on. I have got some Old Macs but they are too big for both of them now. I was going to get some Marquis boots, but as their feet are changing all the time Im going to wait until theyre a bit more stable in shape and size before spending £300+!!
It's lovely to know someone's taking an interest. Since Ive taken the plunge, 2 more people I know have followed suit and are having my trimmer since hearing my stories and looking at their own horse's feet. Amazing how it only takes someone else to do it before others who have been thinking about it take the plunge too!
Like I say, it is early days yet, but I am delighted with the progress so far.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 04.04.05 10:14:00 PM
The Pete Ramey book is quite interesting because he talks about how he 'reads' the adaptive changes the hoof is trying to make in order to refine his trimming. That's the kind of process you're describing with Alex.
It's excellent news about them both! Especially that Connor is now up to 30 mins on the roads and that the hoof has started pushing out growth on Alex's feet. This is exactly what the PR book talks about. He argues that when the hoof wears a shoe, it registers the hoof wall as being too long so it causes the sole to soften, the hoof wall to soften and the growth rate to slow - all to maximise the potential for natural wear and minimise excessive growth... only we keep this natural adaptation process permanently tricked into believing the hoof is still too long... which is one reason for soft thin soles, poor horn, slow growth and fungal infection. Once the hoof starts getting the stimulation and wear it needs, it starts putting out more, better quality hoof, building sole callus and remodelling. Hooves are so interesting, almost magical!
Sorry for hijacking the thread, OP!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 05.04.05 7:54:00 AM
No probs! It makes very interesting reading.
Lou
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 05.04.05 10:34:00 AM
'magical' is how I feel about it at the moment, Wendy. Most definitely. I cant believe I waited so long to try it. It's been a long process to get us here, but I finally feel like things are on the turn for the better. I'm still obsessionally reading as much as I can. The more I read, the more shocked I become as it was all out there for me to find, I just didnt pay enough attention to it. Shocked, but at the same time inspired as I can see what the books are saying is actually happening. My trimmer was delighted with their progress and it all seems to be coming together at long last.
Lou E- best of luck with your horse- I know how agonising it is. (((hugs)))
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 05.04.05 10:55:00 AM
That's part of the magic, Sal. The hooves just never seem to let you down once you trust them! LOL I think I'm going to have to get those Certified Hoof Geek kagools in stock..... I'm sure they'd be a best seller!
Can you imagine if all this got banned and squashed and the only option was remedial farriery? It doesn't bear thinking about.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 05.04.05 11:11:00 AM
It really really doesnt bear thinking about, Wendy. I'm quite anxious about it as it's obiously on the agenda at the moment.
Oh, and put me down for a hoof geek kagool, please- I shall wear it with pride!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 05.04.05 1:54:00 PM
Can I just say - there are some people on this thread who say they've 'tried barefoot'. Barefoot often involves more than taking the shoes off, having the farrier trying to maintain the feet as normal and thinking that will allow the feet to heal. If you want to try barefoot for remedying navicular, ask your farrier how many other navicular horses he has successfully treated using barefoot trimming. If he/she says none, please try an Equine Podiatrist.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Pam with Esme
Date : 22.06.05 1:50:00 PM
Thought it was worth 'upping' this thread because of what Sal says above about thinking her horse could never go barefoot and finding out 4 years later that she was wrong and that barefoot was actually the answer after all.
As Wendy says, there is a big difference between unshod and barefoot, and if you don't know the difference then please do some research/reading and find out. Most farriers don't know how to do a proper barefoot trim, so you can't say you've tried barefoot if all your horse has had is a pasture trim. There are many reasons why a horse can seem lame when it throws a shoe, and it doesn't mean that it can't go barefoot.
Useful websites are:
www.barefoothorses.co.uk
www.enlightenedequitation.com (see the forums, specifally the barefoot one)
www.hoofrehab.com
www.equinepodiatry.net
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : RJ
Date : 22.06.05 3:04:00 PM
Agree totally with all above - have sent copies of web addresses & of some of the similar threads, to friends with navicular horses; they just smile at me condescendingly & shrug their shoulders. What do I know when vets & farriers have told them something completely different?
Never thought my horse would be barefoot, but she is now, & after about 3 months (I think) we're OK on tarmac, tracks, & gravel. Still getting the ouch at sharp stones, but no bruises.
Do the Kagools come in pink?!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : S.
Date : 22.06.05 8:46:00 PM
Hey, I've had a horse that had navicular, we tried navilox and bute, neither had much of an effect. we got him treated with tildren, if u decide to go this way, ur vet will need to apply to get it imported from spain. its given via IV fluids or as injections. my horse had it thru IV over 1/2 hr to 1 hr. it is expensive but it has no long term side effects (short term is sweating, muscle trumours and colic) and it worked for my horse. Unfortunately he also developed arthritis in his hocks which means he's now just a hack. he's 100% sound on his front feet now, his only problem is now the arthritis which has been treated with steriod injections and he's on cortavet. i tried several methods of shoeing too, he's now on Natural Balance shoes. I think u shud definately ask about tildren, it has a high sucess rate (1/3 of horses on trial went sound after 1 dose & stayed sound for the whole trial (1 yr) 1/3 went sound after 2 treatments and 1/3 didnt go completely sound). good luck with whatever treatment u decide to use.
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 10:19:00 AM
In December last year my 8 year old mare was diagnosed with Navicular and side bone.
Since then she has had a course of ionate injections from the vet and a course of Navilox. She is now on Cosequin long term and is shod in Natural Balance shoes.
She has never been really lame by it just what I would say as 'unlevel'. Since being on the Navilox this did improve and I also had her checked by Back Lady to make sure everything was ok in that department.
The problem that I have now is that she is going 'unlevel' again.... I have had a conversation with the vet about this and she is going to come out and see her again but the prognosis is not good as she has had all the treatment that she can for it.
I wondered if anyone can share their experience or advice with me on this as I am very worried.
Lou
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sharon
Date : 04.04.05 11:10:00 AM
My pony was diagnosed with navicular just over 2 years ago after intermittent lameness in front. He was diagnosed at the vet school and I was told the prognosis was not good. We were told to try remedial shoeing and bute but were warned it was a progressive thing and he would get worse.
We were also advised that some people prefer to have them put to sleep as often thay cannot be ridden any more. That was not an option I was willing to consider.
We have tried various shoes, heartbar, silicon wedges, barefoot etc. sometimes he would be almost sound for a little while and gradually would become more and more lame again.
A lot of people will recommend going barefoot and if this works for your horse great but it didnt work for mine, we tried it for about 6 months and he was absolutely crippled without shoes (we do have an extremely experienced farrier) Eventually my vet said there was nothing much more he could do and suggested Navilox. I got a second opinion from another vet who said that after seeing a lot of horses on navilox for navicular he didnt think it was very effective (and is very expensive) My pony has since developed bone spavin and at the new vets recommendation has had steroid injections is still on bute (well actually not bute a new type kinder to the stomach) cortavet and is shod with raised heel, rolled toe shoes and has been brought back into light work. This is soundest I've seen him for a long time and has been going on for about 6 months now. The vet also told me about a treatment called Tildren which can be used for navicular and bone spavin. It is expensive (around £500) and as I am exempt for navicular cant go through insurance for that.However we may be able to try via bone spavin if we show everything else has failed.
I hope this helps and what I would say is keep an open mind and go with whatever works for your horse. They are all different and some things work for some and not others.
Good luck
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From :
Date : 04.04.05 11:31:00 AM
Lou E, could you post some pics of your horse's feet?
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 12:23:00 AM
Thank you for that Sharon - at the moment I am still within my claim period so can still use my insurance.
My farrier is very good and I have arranged for him to come out this week so that we can discuss any alterations in shoes.... Barefoot for me is not an option as she goes foot sore very easily without shoes and Im not prepared to put her through that at the moment.
Anon - I can post some but not now as I am at work.... She has what you might refer to as 'boxy' feet although these have improved with the natural balance shoes.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From :
Date : 04.04.05 2:09:00 PM
My TB has had navicular for years. She improved dramatically with egg bar shoes. I tried going barefoot but it was a definite no go - she was in obvious pain. I don't jump her any more (apart from popping over the odd log on a hack). Also, I never trot on the road or do any fast work on hard ground. I had really thick stable mats and this definitely helped a huge amount. Now she only suffers when the ground is hard - she points her front leg forward. I've put patches of sand in the field where she stands dozing so when the rest of the ground is hard she can stand on that. She also loves eating the hawthorne hedge which herbalists recommend for navicular.
I think you have to accept that you can never go back to riding like you used to but your horse can still have a good life as a happy hacker! Good luck with your horse. :-)
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : springtide
Date : 04.04.05 2:15:00 PM
there is a drug available which allows a very competitive horse to continue, think its called tendren but not 100% sure can research it on internet.
julie
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : springtide
Date : 04.04.05 2:17:00 PM
there is a drug available which allows a very competitive horse to continue, think its called tendren but not 100% sure can research it on internet.
julie
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 2:29:00 PM
Thanks for that Anon - she always has her head in the Hawthorne Hedge so Im reassured to know that she is getting some goodness from it as well!
Julie - Think you might mean Tildren? I have heard varying reports about that - think you have to have it on a special licsence. Im going to discuss it with my vet I would be interested to see if anyone on here has used it and can give me their experience on it.
Lou
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From :
Date : 04.04.05 2:33:00 PM
4 years ago Alex was diagnosed with navicular,sidebone, bog spavin, thoroughpin, calcification of the ligaments, etc etc at age 4. I was devestated. I did everything the vets told me to do, I tried 8 different types of shoe, 3 farriers, navilox, cortaflex, rest, work, magnetic boots, devils claw, cider vinegar, etc etc etc. He responded, then went backwards again and so the pattern continued. He was so sore when he lost a shoe that he looked (and acted) acutely laminitic. I could never contemplate barefoot, although lots of people told me to do it. I was left just before Christmas with the vet telling me for the third time to have him put down- I had tried everything and there was nothing more i could do. There was one thing I hadnt tried, though and that was barefoot. So I did some research and thought well, I really do not have anything to lose. he was goign to be put down anyway, so this really is the last resort.
Ive got a specialist remedial trimmer coming to me and for the first time, Alex has grown 1.5 cm of hoof in 5 weeks- this is an absolute shock to me as the farrier could never trimhim as he never grew any hoof, despite me feeding him biotin, zinc and methionine or cornucrecine hoof formula, or farriers formula. He was sore after his first trim, but not nearly as sore as I expected him to be, and 4 weeks later he was walking comfortably on the flat concrete yard (still ouchy on stones, but it's early days).
I have sat at this pc and typed onto this DG mroe times than I care to rememebr that barefoot was NOT an option for ALex and never would be becuase he was too sore without shoes. I tell, you what, looking at the progress he is making now and the way he is walking with a heel first landing and striding out more comfortable than I have seen him in a very long time, I wish I had tried all this right at the start.
The Pete Ramey article about navicular and barefoot is a good one. I'll post a link to it in a minute.
I cant say that Alex will be fine and barefoot will 'cure him' as it is still very early days, but by the looks of things, it is going to be a hell fo a lot better for him than banging those blessed shoes onto him all to no avail.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 04.04.05 2:35:00 PM
www.hoofrehab.com/end_of_white_line_disease.htm#Navicular
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 04.04.05 2:39:00 PM
Thanks Sal
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 04.04.05 3:27:00 PM
I am so made up for you and Alex, Sal. I know it's early days, but even this small amount of relief must be wonderful for you both.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : tara
Date : 04.04.05 3:52:00 PM
Lots of Navicular discussions on the Cytek forum at the moment.
www.cytekhorse.com
Good luck with your Girlie anyway!!
t x
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 04.04.05 4:43:00 PM
Thanks Wendy. Like I say, it's early days, but I hadnt dared to think he would be doing so well so quickly. Connor is able to hack out for 30 mins now- mostly soily tracks, but some road work too, so he is doing great too. SUCH a relief!!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 04.04.05 4:51:00 PM
Did you get boots for them Sal? Are they OK off the carpet now? Sorry for being so nosey but this all fascinates me. I'm a geek, I know...LOL
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 04.04.05 5:16:00 PM
My last post caused some 'problems' shall we say, so I havent posted any 'official' updates.
However, Connor no longer needs the carpet and is walking fine across the yard. Alex still needs the carpet and uses it daily, but is looking great on in the field. It was interesting to see how he had taken the quarters out himself of the feet that werent trimmed last time and was starting on the toes - he knew what he needed to happen!!
I havent used boots, other than mousemats and poultice boots to keep them on. I have got some Old Macs but they are too big for both of them now. I was going to get some Marquis boots, but as their feet are changing all the time Im going to wait until theyre a bit more stable in shape and size before spending £300+!!
It's lovely to know someone's taking an interest. Since Ive taken the plunge, 2 more people I know have followed suit and are having my trimmer since hearing my stories and looking at their own horse's feet. Amazing how it only takes someone else to do it before others who have been thinking about it take the plunge too!
Like I say, it is early days yet, but I am delighted with the progress so far.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 04.04.05 10:14:00 PM
The Pete Ramey book is quite interesting because he talks about how he 'reads' the adaptive changes the hoof is trying to make in order to refine his trimming. That's the kind of process you're describing with Alex.
It's excellent news about them both! Especially that Connor is now up to 30 mins on the roads and that the hoof has started pushing out growth on Alex's feet. This is exactly what the PR book talks about. He argues that when the hoof wears a shoe, it registers the hoof wall as being too long so it causes the sole to soften, the hoof wall to soften and the growth rate to slow - all to maximise the potential for natural wear and minimise excessive growth... only we keep this natural adaptation process permanently tricked into believing the hoof is still too long... which is one reason for soft thin soles, poor horn, slow growth and fungal infection. Once the hoof starts getting the stimulation and wear it needs, it starts putting out more, better quality hoof, building sole callus and remodelling. Hooves are so interesting, almost magical!
Sorry for hijacking the thread, OP!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Lou E
Date : 05.04.05 7:54:00 AM
No probs! It makes very interesting reading.
Lou
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 05.04.05 10:34:00 AM
'magical' is how I feel about it at the moment, Wendy. Most definitely. I cant believe I waited so long to try it. It's been a long process to get us here, but I finally feel like things are on the turn for the better. I'm still obsessionally reading as much as I can. The more I read, the more shocked I become as it was all out there for me to find, I just didnt pay enough attention to it. Shocked, but at the same time inspired as I can see what the books are saying is actually happening. My trimmer was delighted with their progress and it all seems to be coming together at long last.
Lou E- best of luck with your horse- I know how agonising it is. (((hugs)))
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 05.04.05 10:55:00 AM
That's part of the magic, Sal. The hooves just never seem to let you down once you trust them! LOL I think I'm going to have to get those Certified Hoof Geek kagools in stock..... I'm sure they'd be a best seller!
Can you imagine if all this got banned and squashed and the only option was remedial farriery? It doesn't bear thinking about.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Sal
Date : 05.04.05 11:11:00 AM
It really really doesnt bear thinking about, Wendy. I'm quite anxious about it as it's obiously on the agenda at the moment.
Oh, and put me down for a hoof geek kagool, please- I shall wear it with pride!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Wendy
Date : 05.04.05 1:54:00 PM
Can I just say - there are some people on this thread who say they've 'tried barefoot'. Barefoot often involves more than taking the shoes off, having the farrier trying to maintain the feet as normal and thinking that will allow the feet to heal. If you want to try barefoot for remedying navicular, ask your farrier how many other navicular horses he has successfully treated using barefoot trimming. If he/she says none, please try an Equine Podiatrist.
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : Pam with Esme
Date : 22.06.05 1:50:00 PM
Thought it was worth 'upping' this thread because of what Sal says above about thinking her horse could never go barefoot and finding out 4 years later that she was wrong and that barefoot was actually the answer after all.
As Wendy says, there is a big difference between unshod and barefoot, and if you don't know the difference then please do some research/reading and find out. Most farriers don't know how to do a proper barefoot trim, so you can't say you've tried barefoot if all your horse has had is a pasture trim. There are many reasons why a horse can seem lame when it throws a shoe, and it doesn't mean that it can't go barefoot.
Useful websites are:
www.barefoothorses.co.uk
www.enlightenedequitation.com (see the forums, specifally the barefoot one)
www.hoofrehab.com
www.equinepodiatry.net
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : RJ
Date : 22.06.05 3:04:00 PM
Agree totally with all above - have sent copies of web addresses & of some of the similar threads, to friends with navicular horses; they just smile at me condescendingly & shrug their shoulders. What do I know when vets & farriers have told them something completely different?
Never thought my horse would be barefoot, but she is now, & after about 3 months (I think) we're OK on tarmac, tracks, & gravel. Still getting the ouch at sharp stones, but no bruises.
Do the Kagools come in pink?!
Subject : re:- Advice on Navicular Please
From : S.
Date : 22.06.05 8:46:00 PM
Hey, I've had a horse that had navicular, we tried navilox and bute, neither had much of an effect. we got him treated with tildren, if u decide to go this way, ur vet will need to apply to get it imported from spain. its given via IV fluids or as injections. my horse had it thru IV over 1/2 hr to 1 hr. it is expensive but it has no long term side effects (short term is sweating, muscle trumours and colic) and it worked for my horse. Unfortunately he also developed arthritis in his hocks which means he's now just a hack. he's 100% sound on his front feet now, his only problem is now the arthritis which has been treated with steriod injections and he's on cortavet. i tried several methods of shoeing too, he's now on Natural Balance shoes. I think u shud definately ask about tildren, it has a high sucess rate (1/3 of horses on trial went sound after 1 dose & stayed sound for the whole trial (1 yr) 1/3 went sound after 2 treatments and 1/3 didnt go completely sound). good luck with whatever treatment u decide to use.