Horse diagnosed with navicular

Q: I have a 16 yr old QH gelding that just got diagnosed with navicular syndrome.  I was considering a neurectomy, but after reading your article online, I am very interested in what you have to share. 

This was my first barrel horse and I love him to death.  My vet/surgeon wants to try these shots first, (which I don't really remember what they are called), and is open to other suggestions. 

I would like to know exactly what the procedures were/are that you used to treat this.

Crystal

 
A: The shots are probably a steroid-type of injection.  I would not recommend them, nor any others, due to the fact that needle insertion in to this area very often causes scarring and further problems in these horses.

I would recommend you read Pete Ramey's site at www.hoofrehab.com to get more acquainted with the powerful techniques of natural hoof care.  He has written some articles that are very informative.  There are many other excellent sites as well, such as www.equethy.com, and www.equinextion.com.  I have used these techniques for the past several years with great success.  The next thing to do would be to try and find someone in your part of the world that is familiar with these techniques, which shouldn't be too hard, since it is becoming so successful in treating horses with hoof problems brought about by improper hoof care.

Also, I have several barrel racing clients that have improved their times by getting their horses' hooves healthy.  It's a "secret" that hasn't been spread around too much (yet)!

Best wishes,

Dr. Tom T.

Comments

[Heather]

Hello, I just found your site and will be coming back often. Thank you for all the info.. I do have a question for you on the subject "navicular". Today I took my 7 yrs. gelding to a very repitalble vet. He took x-ray upon x-ray to help me find out what is wrong with my gelding. He is favoring his right front for two months now. He has not been used since he has shown signs of lameness. I was hoping for a gravel or an abcess. But the vet fould an old fracture that is completely healed and a bone cyst on his navicular bone and dry joints. The vet perscribed corrective shoeing (sqaure the toe and raise the heal two degrees) and Cortho-flex rx100 (spelled wrong, sorry)for his joints. The vet say he is not navicular and all that should help him. If he is not navicular is there a way to eliminate the cyst? steroids? surgery? something? I want my gelding to be as comfortable as possible and as sound as possible. And don't cyst's have a tendency to grow? I am hopeful that you can shed some light. Thank you, HBK