Need advice on Stella's lameness.....

tiggypoodle · 03-23-2005, 01:37 PM

Okay I have no clue what I'm doing and this is driving me nuts! Can someone give me some advice on what to do? If I go on the assumption that it IS navicular, I take it x-rays are the best way to go, right? But my shoer has warned me about assuming that, as she's seen horses in the past that were labeled navicular when it wasn't the case. So if I go on the assumption that it's NOT navicular, what should I do? Will x-rays show the cause of the problem? Is there anything I can do in the meantime to make Stella more comfortable? She's really lame. If it's just a bruised foot (which is what my shoer is thinking) would it last this long? It's not a dramatic lameness like an abcess, and it seems to have gotten worse since she put the shoes on, so that doesn't sound like just a bruised foot. Ugh. Someone tell me what to do, I'm so stressed about this that I'm having a hard time clearing my head and seeing the situation clearly.......!!

Thanks!!!!!
Lily

divinemisselle · 03-23-2005, 02:04 PM

Lily,

I am terribly pressed for time, so I've got to make this short. Last year I had a QH delivered to me for rehab. He had been diagnosed with pre-navicular. 10 years old, competition roping horse, crawled off the trailer on only 3 legs. Could not turn left in the foot or shoulder. Owner had 1200 dollars worth of x-rays done, vet said it was pre-navicular. Vet would not turn over copies to me. Had been tested for absesses, abnormal foot growth, thrush, etc. I found 13 absesses in the front near foot alone, his toes were under run and the heels also from too small of shoes, and the thrush was unbelievable! I doctored the obvious stuff, and now, after almost a year with him, he is finally sound. Barefoot with a mustang roll, longer heel. I have ridden him pretty hard, no hint of lameness.

I do not believe that this particular horse has navicular, there were too many other factors to consider.

X rays would be the way to go, from a trusted vet, have the farrier and vet work together to make a diagnosis.

I hope beyond hope that my namesake is feeling better. If I can help in any other way, PM me.

Good luck!

Orchid · 03-23-2005, 02:11 PM

I agree with divinemisselle. I would get the x rays done (though hopefully not $1200 worth, ouch!) and then get your vet and farrier together to make a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Good luck!

horses4sale · 03-23-2005, 02:50 PM

I am sorry to hear about Stella. I had a lovely palamino Quarter horse gelding that went super lame all of a sudden. Everyone's first reaction was to say navicular. We had the horse x-rayed (a definate must do in your case) and the vet said yes he had navicular. We were super upset and were suggested by a friend to get a second opinion on the horses condition. We decided to take the x rays to another vet and he told us that the horse did NOT have navicular. Both vets are very well respected high end horse show vets. It turned out that this particular horse had problems in his shoulders which was causing the lameness. Always get a second opinion on your x rays that would be my advice. It could be bruised soles. They are very painful for horses and can cause severe lameness. I would try and think back as to where she could have done that. Had you ridden her on a rocky road or maybe she did it in her paddock. Abcesses as well are so sneaky and come out of nowhere sometimes, as I am sure you know they are incredibly painful for the horse. I suggest the x-rays, make sure you get a second opinion, and have yourvet use the hoof testers on her sole. In doing so you will be able to see if that is where she is sore. Good luck, I hope it is nothing serious.

EquineAlberta · 03-23-2005, 02:58 PM

In what way is she lame? Does she favour putting weight on her toe or her heel? is she sounder going to the left, right, or straight? IS their heat in her hoof at all? Is it possible she is lame higher up than the hoof?

If it IS the hoof then ee are dealing with a similar issue at my place, and it turns out this horse does have an abscess (coming out the coronet), but his symptoms led us to think Navicular too, and of course he still could have it, but his immediate issue is the abscess.

I guess get the vet out and do X-rays if you can afford it, but i know that some horses will x-ray like they have navicular, even though they are functionally sound! The other option is to get the foot "blocked" temporarily so the vet can narrow down where the issue is. You need a good vet to do this though, as they have to know exactly where to block.

Abscesses don't always mean huge lameness, it depends on their size and location. If there is some damage or a foreign object in the foot, then it will need/want to abscess out, but may stop doing so with shoes as shoes can limit the blood flow to the foot (which is speculated as why many horse go lame when shoes are pulled, the increased blood flow stirs up issues that were there all along).

If you have the money, then i would get the shoes pulled, and have a hoof tester applied to the hoof to see what that shows. Use that to see if x-rays are warrented. If you pull the shoes it should increase her circulation to the hoof and help speed up any abscessing too, so if she goes dead lame after the shoes are pulled it could just be that the hoof is finally being able to heal itself!

Without the vet, you could also try packing the foot with a compress of some sort and soaking it just like it was an abscess as this may help and shouldn't hurt!

If you do get x-rays, get both feet done so you can compare. As well when you go to sell her, the buyer can see both x-rays. If her feet are in fact fine, it would look suspicious as to why you only got one x-rayed!

jmprider · 03-23-2005, 03:21 PM

I have a navicular horse. I can tell you from experience, the best route to go is just to get the x-rays done. I wasted a lot of time and money on getting nerve blocks done, when x-rays would've shown us what was wrong right away!
If it is navicular, don't fret, there are things you can do to make your horse more comfortable. My guy is still going, and he is doing awesome!

jmprider · 03-23-2005, 03:45 PM

Here is a link to an excellent site that you may find helpful:

http://www.recoveryeq.com/navicular_pro.htm

03-23-2005, 01:37 PM
tiggypoodle Coming two Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Home Sweet Home, Badger Canyon, WA Posts: 1,691	Need advice on Stella's lameness..... Okay I have no clue what I'm doing and this is driving me nuts! Can someone give me some advice on what to do? If I go on the assumption that it IS navicular, I take it x-rays are the best way to go, right? But my shoer has warned me about assuming that, as she's seen horses in the past that were labeled navicular when it wasn't the case. So if I go on the assumption that it's NOT navicular, what should I do? Will x-rays show the cause of the problem? Is there anything I can do in the meantime to make Stella more comfortable? She's really lame. If it's just a bruised foot (which is what my shoer is thinking) would it last this long? It's not a dramatic lameness like an abcess, and it seems to have gotten worse since she put the shoes on, so that doesn't sound like just a bruised foot. Ugh. Someone tell me what to do, I'm so stressed about this that I'm having a hard time clearing my head and seeing the situation clearly.......!! Thanks!!!!! Lily

03-23-2005, 02:04 PM
divinemisselle Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: At the bar... Posts: 8,359	Lily, I am terribly pressed for time, so I've got to make this short. Last year I had a QH delivered to me for rehab. He had been diagnosed with pre-navicular. 10 years old, competition roping horse, crawled off the trailer on only 3 legs. Could not turn left in the foot or shoulder. Owner had 1200 dollars worth of x-rays done, vet said it was pre-navicular. Vet would not turn over copies to me. Had been tested for absesses, abnormal foot growth, thrush, etc. I found 13 absesses in the front near foot alone, his toes were under run and the heels also from too small of shoes, and the thrush was unbelievable! I doctored the obvious stuff, and now, after almost a year with him, he is finally sound. Barefoot with a mustang roll, longer heel. I have ridden him pretty hard, no hint of lameness. I do not believe that this particular horse has navicular, there were too many other factors to consider. X rays would be the way to go, from a trusted vet, have the farrier and vet work together to make a diagnosis. I hope beyond hope that my namesake is feeling better. If I can help in any other way, PM me. Good luck! __________________ . Lead me not into temptation..... I can find it just fine on my own.....

03-23-2005, 02:11 PM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,048	I agree with divinemisselle. I would get the x rays done (though hopefully not $1200 worth, ouch!) and then get your vet and farrier together to make a diagnosis and treatment plan. Good luck! __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing

03-23-2005, 02:50 PM
horses4sale Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 201	I am sorry to hear about Stella. I had a lovely palamino Quarter horse gelding that went super lame all of a sudden. Everyone's first reaction was to say navicular. We had the horse x-rayed (a definate must do in your case) and the vet said yes he had navicular. We were super upset and were suggested by a friend to get a second opinion on the horses condition. We decided to take the x rays to another vet and he told us that the horse did NOT have navicular. Both vets are very well respected high end horse show vets. It turned out that this particular horse had problems in his shoulders which was causing the lameness. Always get a second opinion on your x rays that would be my advice. It could be bruised soles. They are very painful for horses and can cause severe lameness. I would try and think back as to where she could have done that. Had you ridden her on a rocky road or maybe she did it in her paddock. Abcesses as well are so sneaky and come out of nowhere sometimes, as I am sure you know they are incredibly painful for the horse. I suggest the x-rays, make sure you get a second opinion, and have yourvet use the hoof testers on her sole. In doing so you will be able to see if that is where she is sore. Good luck, I hope it is nothing serious.

03-23-2005, 02:58 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,004	In what way is she lame? Does she favour putting weight on her toe or her heel? is she sounder going to the left, right, or straight? IS their heat in her hoof at all? Is it possible she is lame higher up than the hoof? If it IS the hoof then ee are dealing with a similar issue at my place, and it turns out this horse does have an abscess (coming out the coronet), but his symptoms led us to think Navicular too, and of course he still could have it, but his immediate issue is the abscess. I guess get the vet out and do X-rays if you can afford it, but i know that some horses will x-ray like they have navicular, even though they are functionally sound! The other option is to get the foot "blocked" temporarily so the vet can narrow down where the issue is. You need a good vet to do this though, as they have to know exactly where to block. Abscesses don't always mean huge lameness, it depends on their size and location. If there is some damage or a foreign object in the foot, then it will need/want to abscess out, but may stop doing so with shoes as shoes can limit the blood flow to the foot (which is speculated as why many horse go lame when shoes are pulled, the increased blood flow stirs up issues that were there all along). If you have the money, then i would get the shoes pulled, and have a hoof tester applied to the hoof to see what that shows. Use that to see if x-rays are warrented. If you pull the shoes it should increase her circulation to the hoof and help speed up any abscessing too, so if she goes dead lame after the shoes are pulled it could just be that the hoof is finally being able to heal itself! Without the vet, you could also try packing the foot with a compress of some sort and soaking it just like it was an abscess as this may help and shouldn't hurt! If you do get x-rays, get both feet done so you can compare. As well when you go to sell her, the buyer can see both x-rays. If her feet are in fact fine, it would look suspicious as to why you only got one x-rayed!

03-23-2005, 03:21 PM
jmprider Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 380	I have a navicular horse. I can tell you from experience, the best route to go is just to get the x-rays done. I wasted a lot of time and money on getting nerve blocks done, when x-rays would've shown us what was wrong right away! If it is navicular, don't fret, there are things you can do to make your horse more comfortable. My guy is still going, and he is doing awesome! __________________ "If riding were all blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit long ago."- George Morris

03-23-2005, 03:45 PM
jmprider Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 380	Here is a link to an excellent site that you may find helpful: http://www.recoveryeq.com/navicular_pro.htm __________________ "If riding were all blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit long ago."- George Morris