Shoeing principles for the management of navicular disease in horses.

The research study investigates the effectiveness of shoeing as a primary treatment method for navicular disease in horses. The results indicate this method improved lameness in all the horses studied, particularly when applied within eight months of the initial disease onset and for show ring performance horses.

Study Objectives and Methods

• This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of shoeing in managing navicular disease in horses.
• A total of 36 horses diagnosed with navicular disease were chosen as subjects for this research.
• As a part of the treatment, the preexisting foot problems were corrected, the physiological function of the foot was enhanced, and the foot breakover was made easier through special shoeing techniques.
• A pain killer, Phenylbutazone was also used for the initial ten days after shoeing to provide the horses some relief.

Study Period and Evaluations

• The progress of the treated horses was monitored over a period ranging between 12 to 54 months.
• The researchers observed improvement in the lameness of all the treated horses.

Key Findings

• Out of the 36 treated horses, 31 were reported as not lame when evaluated in the last study period.
• The study found that shoeing was most effective when performed within the first 8 months of the onset of lameness.
• Another key finding from the study was that horses used for show ring performance classes responded better to this treatment as compared to those used for gaming or jumping.

Implications

• The results of the study strongly suggest shoeing as a promising treatment method for horses suffering from navicular disease.
• The findings could potentially influence the timing of shoeing intervention after the onset of the disease, leading to improved management and rehabilitation of horses suffering from navicular disease.
• The variance in the response among different types of horses may help guide therapeutic strategies for navicular disease depending on the horses’ performance classes.