Page 285 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

navicular bone, the surface of the DDFT and the lining of the navicular bursa can be

inspected.
VetBooks.ir Treatment – management and medication

There is no cure for navicular disease. If the horse responds satisfactorily to trimming and

shoeing alone then it is unlikely to have had chronic navicular disease. Where there is
navicular bone pain, the earlier treatment begins, the greater the chance of prolonging the

horse’s working life.

CORRECTIVE FARRIERY

This is an essential part of any treatment programme. The foot is trimmed to correct any hoof

imbalance. If it is severely unbalanced, this may be done in several stages. The toe is usually
shortened to ease breakover.

Heart bar, Egg bar and Natural Balance™ shoes are commonly fitted. Bar shoes are
selected for horses with weak, collapsed and underrun heels or if the horse has small feet for

its size. They spread the weight and transmit forces over a wider area and this seems to help
reduce the pain (Figure 6.56a and b). The toe may be rolled to ease breakover. All shoes are
fitted long and wide to give good support to the heels. The drawback to this is that in some

horses there is a tendency for these long shoes to be pulled off, so overreach boots are
recommended.