Navicular Symptoms in Horses - Caudal Heel Syndrome

What are the Symptoms of Navicular in Horses ...

Rather than check for navicular symptoms themselves, most horse owners consult their vet only after a steady loss of performance in their horse.

Navicular Symptoms in Horses Your horse may have shown a shortened stride, some forelimb stiffness, be shifting weight from one forelimb to the other, or be pointing its toes.

An experienced and observant horse owner may even recall that the horse had previously shown some lameness but warmed out of its lameness, however the warm up took progressively longer, until the horse no longer manages to work out of the lameness.

While walking, the horse with navicular disease tends to place its weight on the toe to avoid placing pressure on the heel area, which contains the inflamed navicular bone and bursa. Since the horse does not place weight on the heel, it will take longer to stop the stride.

While standing the horse will tend to continuously shift its weight. This will relieve the pressure, and thus the pain, on the heel areas.

Pressure applied to the frog area, as in the image above, by a hoof tester will cause the horse to flinch if navicular disease is present. This should prompt the horse owner to consult a vet to carry out a full professional check.

How to Spot the Signs of Navicular Symptoms.

Navicular Contraction Your horse will tend to place its weight on the toes during movement, the gait will be very rough and sometimes give the appearance of lameness in the shoulder. Your horse may often be lame after work, but the lameness may disappear with rest. Because there may be poor circulation in the foot, the heels and adjacent hoof may become smaller and contracted.

In advanced cases, you may notice that the horse has packed mounds of bedding beneath its heels, or the horse is resting its hindquarters on a manger or fence rail.

If you follow Applied Equine Podiatry or a similar proactive approach, you'll understand that even a slight loss of performance over a short period, coupled with the occurrence of mild hoof deformity (flare, imbalance, increased asymmetry), could lead to pain within the Internal Arch Apparatus, and a diagnosis of navicular syndrome or disease.

Navicular Contraction Learning about proper foot structure will help you become proactive. Observe your horse when he is sound; watch your horse move under saddle; both in a straight line and when circling. Retain a mental picture of your horses movements.

If possible, have x-rays taken when you know your horse is sound, and get to know what a good foot should look like. But remember, x-rays do not always detect the early signs of navicular disease since the soft tissues are usually the first problem areas.

Navicular symptoms to watch for include:

Shortening of the stride
A continual shifting of body weight when resting
A stumbling gait
Slight unevenness on turns
Reluctance to go forward properly or lengthen the stride
Pointing - the horse will stand at rest with one leg extended, the weight resting on the toe
When the foot is pressure tested, the horse will flinch which usually indicates heel pain
General irritability

Dressage horses :
Dressage horses with navicular syndrome may have trouble coming onto the bit or may refuse to perform a movement which they have managed in the past.

Racehorses :
Racehorses with navicular syndrome may suddenly quit during the race, slow down noticeably at the 3/4 pole or exhibit a loss of form.

Show Jumpers :
Jumping horses with navicular syndrome may start refusing or uncharacteristically take down the rails.

Event horses :
Event horses with navicular syndrome may begin to exhibit poor recovery times, including a prolonged rapid heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature, after the strenuous cross country or jumping phases of the event or they may have trouble producing the times they used to.

Riding or Pleasure horses :
Pleasure horses with navicular syndrome may begin to stumble or show signs of irritation like constant tail swishing, or head bobbing.

Endurance horses :
Endurance horses with navicular syndrome may, like event horses, begin showing poor recovery rates or the inability to finish rides they would normally complete easilly.