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Re: [RC] Navicular Syndrome - Sharon LevasseurWhat EXACTLY did he say the problem was? How did he define "Navicular Syndrome"? Did he say the navicular bone has begun to degenerate, or did he just say there is inflammation of the deep distal flexor tendon? I'm asking because I finally found the cause for Zephyr's chronic minor lameness over the last year. On our first visit the vet referred to it as early-onset navicular syndrome BUT when pressed at our second visit, he said really it was just inflammation of the deep distal flexor tendon, with only the very slightest noticeable change in the navicular bone itself. He said he was CERTAIN that Zephyr could return to a successful career in Endurance. His actual words were "I see no health reason this horse cannot do anything and everything you want him to do." Immediate treatment was focused ultrasound (aka Shockwave therapy). The vet also said to trim his toes even shorter (for better breakover) and put him in low wedge shoes in front to take the strain off that tendon. That was a few months ago... maybe in August if I had to guess? A second ultrasound treatment was found to be unnecessary. Zephyr has been back in training since maybe October, perfectly sound. He does still have a very minor shortness of stride on that side, that resulted from a sore muscle in the forearm of that same leg (probably compensatory from his earlier discomfort). With massage and stretching exercises he trots evenly. The vet said in a year or so we can try putting him back in flat shoes. I'm sure others here can give more specific information and advice, but that's my experience with "navicular". Hope I was of some help. BTW, Zephyr is a 10yo half-Arab... although I doubt that coincidence has any bearing on this. Good luck, -Sharon L. Quoting aggiekris@xxxxxxxxxxxx: My 9 year old half-arab mare was just diagnosed with navicular syndrome, and I was just wondering if anyone out there has dealt with this before, and has any advice. I love this mare, and was planning on moving up to 50s on her next month, and the vet seems optimistic that she can still be sound and do endurance, but I just don't know. Kris =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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