Horse owners rightly fear the problem of founder in their animals. One cause of navicular disease, foundering usually affects the front feet of a horse, resulting in lameness which can be permanent. There are other causes of navicular problems which are still being researched by equine health experts.
Founder is caused by too much rich grass or grain. It usually happens in the spring, when horses are turned out into lush pastures, or when an animal gets into the feed room and eats several days ration at once. Grass founder may take a week or so to show up, but the reaction to grain can happen in hours.
A continual state of overweight contributes to founder and makes horses more likely to develop inflammation and pain in their front feet. The animal will be reluctant to move and may stand with front feet extended, constantly shifting weight from one foot to another. Overweight also puts constant stress on the feet, especially the front ones which carry up to 75% of the horse's weight.
Although ponies are more susceptible than horses to grass founder, all equines are at risk. Maintaining a proper weight is important, since keeping a horse in a dry lot makes everyone miserable and can result in other problems, like anemia or vices like cribbing. Regular exercise is helpful in keeping weight under control and improving the circulation to the feet.
Another cause of navicular problems is concussion. Pounding on hard ground day after day is not natural for a horse. This condition often affects heavy horses, like warmbloods, who are asked to work and jump on a regular basis. These sport animals can be very talented, which makes this susceptibility unfortunate for both horse and owner. Allowing an animal to reach full maturity before being put into heavy work can help, as can varying work sessions with less strenuous exercise on yielding ground.
Other causes that veterinarians and researchers think contribute to this kind of lameness include standing in a stall. Horses developed running free, and they need exercise to keep blood circulating properly to the feet. However, many race horses and show horses are kept confined for practical reasons, like not risking them in fields where they might be injured or not having the facilities to turn them out.
Proper trimming and shoeing is important. The natural balance and angles of the foot and leg must be maintained for optimum soundness. If the toes are allowed to get too long and the heels to slope too far forward under the foot, stress is put on the deep tendon that passes over the navicular bone and attaches to the coffin bone, another internal part of the hoof. Heels should also be allowed to spread naturally; contracted or too-narrow heels lead to foot problems.
To protect your horse, limit lush pasture and keep feed rooms securely closed. Make sure your equine friend doesn't get fat and has enough exercise to keep the blood flowing. Work on yielding ground and good footing. Learn how to tell if your farriers is doing a good job in keeping the angles of the leg and foot in proper alignment. Be careful not to train and compete too hard if you want a long and happy association with your horse.
Founder is caused by too much rich grass or grain. It usually happens in the spring, when horses are turned out into lush pastures, or when an animal gets into the feed room and eats several days ration at once. Grass founder may take a week or so to show up, but the reaction to grain can happen in hours.
A continual state of overweight contributes to founder and makes horses more likely to develop inflammation and pain in their front feet. The animal will be reluctant to move and may stand with front feet extended, constantly shifting weight from one foot to another. Overweight also puts constant stress on the feet, especially the front ones which carry up to 75% of the horse's weight.
Although ponies are more susceptible than horses to grass founder, all equines are at risk. Maintaining a proper weight is important, since keeping a horse in a dry lot makes everyone miserable and can result in other problems, like anemia or vices like cribbing. Regular exercise is helpful in keeping weight under control and improving the circulation to the feet.
Another cause of navicular problems is concussion. Pounding on hard ground day after day is not natural for a horse. This condition often affects heavy horses, like warmbloods, who are asked to work and jump on a regular basis. These sport animals can be very talented, which makes this susceptibility unfortunate for both horse and owner. Allowing an animal to reach full maturity before being put into heavy work can help, as can varying work sessions with less strenuous exercise on yielding ground.
Other causes that veterinarians and researchers think contribute to this kind of lameness include standing in a stall. Horses developed running free, and they need exercise to keep blood circulating properly to the feet. However, many race horses and show horses are kept confined for practical reasons, like not risking them in fields where they might be injured or not having the facilities to turn them out.
Proper trimming and shoeing is important. The natural balance and angles of the foot and leg must be maintained for optimum soundness. If the toes are allowed to get too long and the heels to slope too far forward under the foot, stress is put on the deep tendon that passes over the navicular bone and attaches to the coffin bone, another internal part of the hoof. Heels should also be allowed to spread naturally; contracted or too-narrow heels lead to foot problems.
To protect your horse, limit lush pasture and keep feed rooms securely closed. Make sure your equine friend doesn't get fat and has enough exercise to keep the blood flowing. Work on yielding ground and good footing. Learn how to tell if your farriers is doing a good job in keeping the angles of the leg and foot in proper alignment. Be careful not to train and compete too hard if you want a long and happy association with your horse.
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