Navicular Response from Dr. Bowker

[Karen Standefer <hrschk@yahoo.com>]

A couple of weeks ago I had mentioned to someone that
Dr. Bowker had written a paper on healing navicular
syndrome without shoes on.  I couldn't find the paper,
so I wrote him.  Here is his response to me:

K, 
there is an article in the sept/oct (?) issue of the
quarter horse journal where someone wrote one about my
research. I believe that if you wrote to them you
might be able to get a copy (the american quarter
horse association in amarrillo texas). Basically, what
you want to do is to get rid of the shoes and lower
the heel (gradually) so the frog is on the ground -the
back part of the foot (digital cushion and lateral
cartilages) need to be stimulated . navicular horses
as a result of the husbandry, shoes, etc the back part
of the foot has become under developed and atrophied
(you see it as contracted heels!!!). the entire foot
has changed as it is no longer stimulated. i have
received dozens of emails from people who have tried
this and most all get better to where they ride the
horses without medication etc. many have gone through
various shoe types, pads raised heels acupuncture,
pain management etc and are contemplating cutting the
sensory nerves to the foot!!!!! (the others either
don't email me back or some probably put the shoes
back on..!!!!) hope this helps. 
bob b


>>> "Karen Standefer" <kstandefer@centurytel.net>
02/23/02 12:15AM >>>
Hello, Dr. Bowker.

I had read some place, recently, that you had
published a paper regarding navicular syndrome and the
possibilities of being able to cure it.  If this is
the case, could you point me to the paper.  I would be
very interested in reading it.  There is a navicular
mare I am concerned about and would like to help the
owner help the horse.
Thanks,
Karen


Robert M. Bowker, VMD, PhD
Assoc. Professor
Dept. Veterinary Pathology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
517-353-4532


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