Are Quarter Horses Prone To Navicular?
It is more common in mature riding horses (between the age of 8 and 10 years old) and is associated more commonly with certain breeds such as warmbloods, Quarter horses, and thoroughbreds.
Navicular syndrome is a chronic degenerative condition that can cause lameness in the front legs. It is most commonly seen in competition horses and quarter horses. It may be caused by repetitive mechanical stress on the navicular bone, resulting in degeneration of tissues and ligaments in the heel.
Navicular syndrome is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 4 and 15 years of age. It is most common in Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, Appaloosas, Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds. The exact cause of navicular disease is unknown.
Navicular disease is estimated to be responsible for 1/3 of all chronic lamenesses, the most commonly affected breed being the Quarter Horse.
Navicular disease is overrepresented in some breeds (eg, Warmblood horses, Quarter horses, and Thoroughbreds) and rare in others (eg, Arabians, Friesians). It is usually a progressively deteriorating condition after onset.
A history of intermittent low grade or recurrent lameness is suggestive of navicular disease. Affected horses often appear to place the toe down first, as if trying not to put weight on their heels (in contrast to laminitis), and the lameness is worse on the inside leg on a circle.
What diseases are quarter horses prone to?
- Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED)
- Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA)
- Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)
- Myosin-Heavy Chain Myopathy (MYHM)
- Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)
- Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1)
This can appear suddenly, but a more common pattern is mild lameness that becomes progressively worse over time. A horse with navicular syndrome feels pain in the heels of the front feet, and its movements reflect attempts to keep pressure off this area.
Several complications can occur, such as painful neuroma formation, rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon, and injuries to the distal limbs with a neurectomy. Prevention of navicular disease includes maintaining a balanced foot, heel support, and exercising the horse on the ground with sound footing.
Farriery Causes
The failure to achieve correct medial-lateral hoof balance may lead to coronary band shunting and undue strain on medial or lateral aspects of the navicular joint and navicular suspensory ligaments.
Can a horse with navicular be ridden? Depending on the severity of the disease, it is possible to ride a horse with navicular, as long as your vet okays it. Pharmaceutical agents which can help alleviate pain and control inflammation such as Previcox and Tildren can be administered.
The navicular is the last bone in the foot to ossify. In girls, the navicular anlage ossifies between 18-24 months and in boys 30-36 months 4.
Supplements that May Lend Support
Prescription joint products such as Legend® and Adequan® are often administered to horses with navicular, and it may also be helpful to provide an oral joint supplement with similar active ingredients (i.e. glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid).
Two equine drugs—TILDREN distributed by Bimeda Animal Health Limited and OSPHOS distributed by Dechra, Ltd. — are FDA-approved to control the clinical signs of navicular syndrome, a common cause of forelimb lameness in horses. Below is a brief reference guide for equine veterinarians on both drugs.
Agne notes that farriers can begin the process of finding navicular cases through an initial examination of the affected hoof, including the shape and conformation of the hoof capsule, a review of the horse’s history and hoof tester exams.
A foot disease can prevent you from ever riding.
Navicular disease is a progressive syndrome with limited chances of full recovery. Unless you’re in the business of rescuing animals, then you should always buy a healthy horse.
A: Navicular disease is an incurable degenerative condition that has similarities to osteoarthritis in people. Over time, the navicular bone and soft-tissue structures around it deteriorate, causing pain in the sole region of the foot. Horses suffering from navicular are often described as “walking on eggshells.”
Navicular syndrome is a lifelong condition, however, many horse can return to athletic function and soundness for long periods of time. Once the initial lameness is resolved, then corrective farriery can keep a horse from having repeated flare ups.
“Skyline” radiographs help veterinarians make a diagnosis of navicular disease. Typically, these radiographs include a single shot aimed across the bottom surface of the navicular bone (approximately 55° in reference to the horizontal).
What is the average lifespan of a Quarter Horse?
25-35 years
Quarter horses can live 25-35 years; some even longer.
The life expectancy of your Quarter Horse depends on genetics, nutrition, and workload. My very first horse was a Quarter Horse—he lived to 36 years old and was still active in our barn’s lesson program.
What is unique about a Quarter Horse?
The American Quarter Horse, or Quarter Horse, is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name is derived from its ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less; some have been clocked at speeds up to 44 mph (70.8 km/h).
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