Page 282 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• Contraction of the heels as the disease progresses may cause the hoof to become upright

and boxy, with a higher heel height. When only one foot is affected, the two front feet
VetBooks.ir become dissimilar in size and shape.

Figure 6.54 Horse with navicular syndrome pointing its left forefoot

RESPONSE TO FLEXION AND HOOF TESTERS

• Flexion of the lower limb is positive (i.e. results in increased lameness) in some horses

with navicular syndrome.
• The response to hoof testers is not always helpful. Some horses find firm pressure

applied over the centre of the frog uncomfortable. As affected horses land on the toe,
there may be sensitivity in this part of the foot which can be misleading.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made on the clinical signs, the response to nerve blocks, radiography
and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nuclear Scintigraphy may be helpful in a small

number of cases.