My 13 yrold mare might have Navicular syndrome?

Question

what should i do?? We only got her like two months ago, and havent been riding her that hard. Although im not sure what her previous owners did.

we really cant afford to keep her if she has it. so what should i do?

We could put her down, but i would feel bad :( cuz it seems like she still has SO much life yet to live.

If she has the deiese, could i donate her to like a vet clinic or someting like Boys town were they study her and stuff???

i need somehelp.

thnx.

Answer 1

I assume that you have had your vet in and x-rays have been taken? What's the reason for the Navicular? Are we talking blood horse with low, weak heels or boxy contracted feet? The reason Navicular is called syndrome, is because there are many causes whereas a disease has only one. Depending on what's caused it, depends on how manageable it is. You have to understand that it is arthritis so will never improve, but can be managed so it doesn't get any worse. You need your horse to be seen by an Equine specialist vet and if you can, get your farrier there at the same time. Between the two of them, they may be able to give you some course of action that may keep her on the road a few years more. Good luck.

Answer 2

Dont send her to a vet clinic send her to a therepuedic riding program

Answer 3

Horses with Navicular can lead normal productive lives.  Many horses that may have this conformation flaw never show symptoms or the symptoms can be avoided.  I don't think you should put her down unless she is crippled and in constant pain.  Think about your intended purpose for this horse (competition, pleasure, light trail riding, schooling, etc.) and discuss it with your vet and farrier.  If you are unable to keep the horse, try to rehome it with a family that can use her and take care of her.  She's gotten along for 13 yrs, so it can't be too bad.

Answer 4

There is life AFTER navicular!  I've had 3 and my last one had a healthy working life for 15 years after he got it (He was 10 when the wreck with a person who leased him happened.).

http://www.eponashoe.com/products/EponaS...

My current QH had navicular when I bought him as a 12 year old knowing he had navicular, but wanted something SAFE for my late hubby to ride.  I tried 1/2 rounds, wedge pads etc.  It wasn't until I put these shoes on him that I noticed a BIG change!

Answer 5

Do not overact.  Call the vet to see if she has navicular syndrome.  If she does, DO NOT put her down.  Navicular syndrome is a minor disease.  It can sometimes be fixed with just corrective shoeing such as a heart bar or padded egg bar shoe.  

It doesn't require a lot of money.  You could also buy her some calcium supplement of get a legume hay that is high in calcium or phosphorus because those minerals strengthen bones.  Navicular disease is just brittleness of the distal sesamoid bone so it would be just like a person having a weak bone in their heel.  It's not a huge deal.  For all you know, she may just be lame from a sole bruise.

If she does have it, however, and you cannot afford corrective shoes of supplement, donation would be a good choice!  Thats very kind of you to offer her to others who might could help.  :)

Best of luck!  I know she'll be fine.

Answer 6

losing a pet is the worst i just lost my dog yu most likly can

Answer 7

Navicular syndrome occurs in degrees of progression...how bad is the disease, and what does the vet suggest as a prognosis for her?  Many horses are able to be shod and medicated and useable for light work for many years after the initial diagnosis...If she is gentle and dependable, she might make a good rehab horse...or a pasture buddy for someone's lonely horse.

If the disease is advanced, you can have her euthanized and donated for research....I would never donate a live animal unless I accompanied it to the clinic and was present for the euthanasia to assure that my horse was properly cared for and died with dignity.At any rate, you need more information, in my opinion, before any decisions are made.

Answer 8

you can nerve her. its when you block the nerves to her feet so they cant feel the pain. you can still ride her, and her legs wont hurt.

Answer 9

First of all, don't act irrationaly. Have the vet test her. If she has it look for a therapy center for handicaped children. If she is good with children sh can work very little and still have a good life. Please don't send her to a vet clinic. Sometimes what they do there is unacceptable and you wouldn't want to know about it.

Answer 10

Don't give up on her yet... first have a vet confirm the condition, and ask the vet if it may be borderline or more advanced. Then get a very very very good farrier or preferably a natural hoofcare specialist to work on her hooves. A good one will be able to get her hoof angles to where she will still be completely sound. Corrective shoeing is also an option. The biggest thing is to figure out what will make her comfortable, and keep her sound. I had a ex-racing quarter horse a few years ago that had fairly advanced navicular, and with the right hoof care he was completely sound for most riding, just not strenuous things like jumping or reining maneuvers.