Navicular disease in the horse: risk factors, radiographic changes, and response to therapy.

The research article investigates the risk factors, signs, and treatment responses associated with navicular disease in horses, indicating that breed, sex, and age influenced disease probability while there is a low likelihood of regaining pre-disease work capacity.

Study Overview and Methods

• The researchers carried out a retrospective examination of 74 horses showing historical and clinical indicators of navicular disease.
• The selected horses were mostly aged between 4 to 9 years old, with a greater prevalence among males and specifically geldings.
• The study also noted that Quarter Horses were more at risk than other breeds.
• Information regarding the current status of the horses in the study was gathered through a mailed questionnaire, receiving 51 responses.

Findings and Interpretations

• Out of 70 horses examined radiographically, diagnostic changes indicating navicular disease were found in 42 cases. These changes appeared equally in both right and left front feet.
• No connection was found between the presence of notable radiographic changes and how the horses responded to treatment, or the type of work they were used for, suggesting that physical changes in the foot are not a reliable prediction of therapeutic outcomes.
• The study recorded the results for horses that had survived for at least six months post-treatment, with information received for 38 cases. Nine of these cases were described as “sound” at the time of follow-up, which ranged from 7 to 91 months following treatment.
• The researchers did not identify any significant difference in the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatment strategies among the recovered horses. The methods of treatment among these cases included medicinal, surgical, corrective shoeing, and no treatment.

Implications and Conclusions

• The study’s results point to a generally low response to navicular disease treatments in horses. This observed poor response to therapy by the horses implies a guarded prognosis, with limited chance of returning to their pre-disease work capacity.
• This research underscores the need for more targeted therapies, improved strategies for disease management, and potentially a review of the potential genetic predisposition for the disease, especially among certain breeds like Quarter Horses.