#navicular

[baihu-baihu]

getting a radiology degree and like every morning when I'm still half asleep I start thinking in bones

[baylone]

It’s confirmed: Jet’s got navicular. We are gonna put some special shoes on him and hope it helps.

[equine-dreams]

Chrissy is officially grain free and on Amino Trace Plus from MadBarn! Only the best for this spoiled paint!

[thescienceofequus]

“I wish we'd never seen these drugs,” said renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage at the conclusion of a recent presentation about bisphosphonates.

Four years after the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Tildren and Osphos (both trade names for bisphosphonates) for use in adult horses suffering from navicular syndrome, Bramlage said he's seeing unintended side effects from people using the drug off label.

As Bramlage explained at a recent client education seminar held by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, there are three main types of cells associated with bone repair and growth: osteoblasts, which make new bone; osteoclasts, which break down damaged or inferior bone, and osteocytes, which direct the repair.

When a horse has a fracture, the crack is initially filled by the osteoblasts with a temporary boney substance called woven bone, which can be made very quickly but is not very strong. Over time, osteoclasts clear away woven bone, which is poorly organized and weak, allowing osteoblasts to lay down the better organized and stronger lamellar bone. The lamellar bone fills in the crack and makes the bone whole again, both practically and on radiograph.

Bones are constantly breaking down and building back up in response to normal wear and tear and training.

Bisphosphonates work by poisoning osteoclasts and for this reason are used to slow osteoporosis in people. They also have an analgesic effect, which is why they are used in human bone tumor patients. This is also why they are presented as an option for horses dealing with painful and hard-to-pinpoint inflammation due to navicular syndrome.

Bramlage is finding bisphosphonates' mechanism of action also disrupts the natural healing process in young horses during training.

“I thought initially it might create a lot of acute fractures,” he said. “I don't think it increases their incidence very much. Where it causes a problem is whenever you're trying to heal something that's happened as a result of training and needs to repair. Part of the horse's natural coping mechanism is disabled.”

Bramlage is seeing stunted healing on radiographs of horses who have had surgery or rest to repair fractures which normally would have improved in a couple of months. Sometimes as much as 14 months after injury, the x-rays still show the injuries that have been “patched up” with woven bone still persist with original fractures visible.  

“I've spent 40 years looking at horses' bones trying to understand the process of damage and repair that we consistently deal with in the racehorse. In the last two years we've had horses' injuries that don't behave anything like they did in my first 40 years,” he said. “We can no longer depend on the repair process that we have come to expect as normal for the horse.  Bisphosphonates also ‘mute' the normal bone turnover we depend on in bone scans.”

Read The Rest

[barefoothooves]

Starting to correct these horrid angles on a sweetheart with navicular. You can see the massive amount of retained sole. Now that we've gotten that sorted, we can get to work on standing those heels up a bit more ☺️

[barefoothooves]

A couple years back, my sister and I were interested in buying an Paint horse whom had navicular disease. He never showed many signs of lameness and was a very very fast mover. It was suggested that if we did get him, we'd need surgery to clip the nerve and corrective shoeing. We didn't get him, but to this day, I wonder if it had been worth all that or if he would've just ended up hanging in a pasture for the rest of his days. What do you think?

Navicular is hard because it’s a singular term for many different issues. Lots of barefoot people like to claim that it’s not real or only caused by {x}. The truth is there are many causes for caudal pain including lollipop lesions, fractures, bone spurs, other soft tissue injuries, contracted heels, thrush, overgrown bars, and long toes. It can be one or many of those things.

Often though, they appear to be fast movers because they are reluctant to fully extend the leg. Some do fine barefoot, particularly if left a tiny bit of extra heel and given a very short toe, occasionally they do better in shoes, but often it is degenerative and regardless of what you do for them they get to a point of constant unsoundness. I know a lot of old, unsound navicular horses that have to be in boots 24/7 to be anywhere near comfortable.

[optiwizehealth]

How to Choose the Right Horse Joint Supplement for Optimal Performance

Keeping your horse active, comfortable, and performing at its best takes more than just training. Joint health plays a huge role in how well your horse moves, turns, stops, and carries weight. Choosing the right Horse joint supplement can make a real difference, especially for performance horses or those dealing with joint stress like a navicular syndrome horse.

With so many options available, it can feel confusing. This guide will help you understand what to look for in simple terms.

Why Joint Health Matters in Horses

A horse’s joints handle a lot of stress every day. Whether your horse is used for:

Racing

Jumping

Dressage

Trail riding

Ranch work

Every stride puts pressure on the joints, especially in the front legs. Over time, wear and tear can lead to stiffness, inflammation, and even lameness.

Supporting joint health early can help prevent bigger problems later.

Signs Your Horse May Need a Joint Supplement

Not every horse needs a supplement, but certain signs may indicate extra support could help.

Watch for:

Stiffness after rest

Shortened stride

Reluctance to work

Difficulty turning

Mild lameness

Swelling around joints

A navicular syndrome horse may show heel pain, frequent stumbling, or a choppy gait. In such cases, joint support may help improve comfort as part of a complete management plan.

Always consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis before starting any supplement.

What Does a Horse Joint Supplement Do?

A Horse joint supplement is designed to support:

Cartilage health

Joint lubrication

Tendon and ligament strength

Inflammation control

It does not cure joint diseases, but it may help maintain flexibility and comfort.

The right formula can support performance, reduce stiffness, and help your horse move more freely.

Key Ingredients to Look For

When choosing a supplement, ingredients matter. Here are the most common and beneficial ones:

1. Glucosamine

Glucosamine helps support cartilage structure. It is one of the most widely used ingredients in joint supplements.

It may help maintain smooth joint movement.

2. Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin works with glucosamine to protect cartilage and support elasticity.

Together, they form a strong foundation for joint health.

3. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM supports a healthy inflammatory response. It may help reduce stiffness and improve comfort.

4. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid helps lubricate joints. It supports smooth motion and reduces friction.

5. Collagen

Collagen is a key protein found in cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It supports strength and flexibility, which is especially important for a navicular syndrome horse, where soft tissues around the hoof are under stress.

Consider Your Horse’s Age and Workload

Different horses have different needs.

Young Performance Horses

They may benefit from preventive support to protect joints under heavy workload.

Aging Horses

Older horses often need higher levels of joint-support ingredients due to natural wear and tear.

Horses with Existing Conditions

A navicular syndrome horse or one with arthritis may need a more comprehensive formula and closer veterinary supervision.

Choosing the Optiwize 10-N-1 Horse supplement means matching the formula to your horse’s lifestyle.

Check the Quality of the Product

Not all supplements are created equal.

Look for:

Clear ingredient labeling

Clinically studied ingredients

Reputable manufacturers

Positive customer reviews

Proper dosage instructions

Avoid products with vague labels or “proprietary blends” that don’t list exact amounts.

Quality matters when it comes to results.

Powder, Pellet, or Liquid?

Joint supplements come in different forms.

Powder

Easy to mix with feed

Often cost-effective

Pellets

Convenient

Usually more palatable

Liquid

Fast absorption

Easy to measure

Choose a form your horse will actually eat consistently. Consistency is key for effectiveness.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Joint supplements are not instant solutions. It usually takes:

4 to 8 weeks to notice improvement

Regular daily use for best results

Connective tissues take time to respond. Be patient and monitor your horse’s movement and comfort level.

Combine Supplements with Proper Care

A Horse joint supplement works best alongside good management practices.

Important steps include:

Regular hoof trimming

Balanced nutrition

Proper warm-up before exercise

Maintaining healthy body weight

Soft, supportive footing

For a navicular syndrome horse, corrective shoeing and veterinary guidance are especially important. Supplements alone are not enough.

Avoid Over-Supplementing

Some owners combine multiple joint products thinking more is better. This can lead to:

Wasted money

Imbalanced nutrition

Possible digestive upset

Stick to one well-formulated supplement unless your veterinarian advises otherwise.

Talk to Your Veterinarian

Before starting any supplement, discuss it with your vet. They can:

Confirm diagnosis

Recommend appropriate ingredients

Suggest correct dosage

Monitor progress

This is especially important if your horse has an existing condition like navicular syndrome.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Horse joint supplement doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on quality ingredients, proper dosage, and your horse’s specific needs.

For performance horses, early joint support can help maintain flexibility and strength. For a navicular syndrome horse, the right supplement may support comfort and mobility as part of a larger treatment plan.

Remember, supplements are a support tool, not a cure. When combined with proper hoof care, balanced nutrition, and regular veterinary checkups, they can help your horse stay active and perform at its best for years to come.

[bleachedblacksocks]

I cant find any data on how common accessory navicular SYNDROME is.

like I know accessory navicular is a common ish variation. ffs 45% of Asian people have it. I don't care about accessory navicular presence, I care about the prevalence of accessory navicular SYNDROME. where the bone is causing ISSUES.

anyways my feet are killing me and I want to rip them off. and I have no idea how common this problem is.