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.
The term 'founder' is used to describe the discomfort a horse experiences when it eats too much rich grass or grain. The result is an inflammation of the digestive tract and of the front feet of the animal. Severe cases can result in death and/or permanent damage to the feet. A horse allowed unlimited access to lush grass or the feed room can quickly develop symptoms of founder.
Horses allowed to get too fat are also at risk. Overweight animals are prone to foundering. Excess weight also puts undue, constant stress on the feet, especially the front ones which naturally bear most of the animal's weight.
Ponies are affected more often than horses, but animals of any size are at risk. It is easier to keep horses from gaining weight than try to get it off; horses may become anemic or develop vices from boredom, like cribbing or weaving.
Concussion is another cause of navicular separate from over-feeding. The result is the same, however - inflammation of the foot that can result in lameness that may be temporary or permanent. Horses asked to pound along on hard ground for extended periods or asked to jump over and over may develop problems with the tendons and bones in their feet. Heavier horses, like warmbloods, are especially susceptible. These horses are often exceptionally talented at showing and jumping, which makes their susceptibility to lameness a true tragedy.
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.
Improper shoeing or trimming can contribute to unsoundness. If the foot is not properly balanced, with the weight spread evenly from toe to heel, the bones of the foot may shift out of position over time. Long toes and heels allowed to slope too far under the foot are less than ideal, and this configuration puts strain on the tendon that passes over the navicular bone and connects to another bone called the coffin bone. If the coffin bone is pulled out of alignment, lameness will result.
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.
The term 'founder' is used to describe the discomfort a horse experiences when it eats too much rich grass or grain. The result is an inflammation of the digestive tract and of the front feet of the animal. Severe cases can result in death and/or permanent damage to the feet. A horse allowed unlimited access to lush grass or the feed room can quickly develop symptoms of founder.
Horses allowed to get too fat are also at risk. Overweight animals are prone to foundering. Excess weight also puts undue, constant stress on the feet, especially the front ones which naturally bear most of the animal's weight.
Ponies are affected more often than horses, but animals of any size are at risk. It is easier to keep horses from gaining weight than try to get it off; horses may become anemic or develop vices from boredom, like cribbing or weaving.
Concussion is another cause of navicular separate from over-feeding. The result is the same, however - inflammation of the foot that can result in lameness that may be temporary or permanent. Horses asked to pound along on hard ground for extended periods or asked to jump over and over may develop problems with the tendons and bones in their feet. Heavier horses, like warmbloods, are especially susceptible. These horses are often exceptionally talented at showing and jumping, which makes their susceptibility to lameness a true tragedy.
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.
Improper shoeing or trimming can contribute to unsoundness. If the foot is not properly balanced, with the weight spread evenly from toe to heel, the bones of the foot may shift out of position over time. Long toes and heels allowed to slope too far under the foot are less than ideal, and this configuration puts strain on the tendon that passes over the navicular bone and connects to another bone called the coffin bone. If the coffin bone is pulled out of alignment, lameness will result.
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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