Some experential tips on Navicular, Thrush and Barefoot Trimming.

Doc, EFR's 7 year old chestnut quarter horse, with the most gorgeous and willing personality you could imagine came to us in 2010 with lameness in his front limbs. We were uncertain for a long time as to how to help our four legged friend. After research, trial and error with alternative therapies (herbs, diet, rubbing gels etc), and a lameness test - we determined we were dealing with 1) severe thrush and 2) navicular syndrome. An old knee injury and/or birth defect that makes Doc's front knee somewhat deformed had us thinking the knee was a large factor in his pain. However, the lameness test made it clear that when the navicular was nerve blocked (giving him a temporary loss of feeling in that area) he could walk and run pain free. His knee is not the primary issue. Our attention therefore was solving his thrush and navicular.

As with many EFR horses, Doc's history was a bit unknown. From what we gather, however, it is likely that he had a life as a performance reining or cutting horse. If so, this fits the bill with his condition today. Often horses who experience repeated and traumatic tension and/or compression on their forelimbs, navicular ensues, or other osteoarthritic issues. If you couple this with possible incorrect shoeing practices and lack of movement (ie. stalls) - inflammation and injury is more likely. It is important we educate ourselves on the 'after life' of performance horses, and help them through their latter years of retirement and pain. This is not to say all performance horses end up injured and arthritic. It's just something we commonly see. Ask your barefoot trimmer, body worker, or veterinarian about this.

EQUINE THRUSH

General Terminology

Thrush is a common ailment and diagnosis. It's tell tale sign is the foul smell in the hoof, and the black discharge surrounding the frog. There are as many factors causing thrush as there are ways to solve it. We trusted the advice of two barefoot trimmers who had dealt with thrush for years. With their counsel, we used Davis Soaking Boots (blue rubber ones that go up to the ankle) and a pure colloidal silver treatment for 9 hours on each hoof.

We then put both horses (one with the navicular, the other with chronic founder from Cushing's disease) onto a rehab barefoot trim regime. The thrush was immediatly gone in both cases with the silver soak. We highly recommend this treatment for deep thrush cases. There also is a white powder some EFR owners are using which horses are having some success with. However, we must be careful not to solely rely on these topical ointments - regular hoof cleaning, trimming and clean living conditions are also essential factors to a healthy hoof. Additionally, with bad frog infections the central sulcus is very deep. This is not normal. As long as it remains like this, it becomes a trap for more microbes and fungi. The frog needs to be treated daily until this grows back out. Radar, another EFR herd member, has deep sulcus cavities that you could note .

NAVICULAR SYNDROME

A diagnosis with navicular in the past would mean euthanasia to many horses. Today we have learned to take the time with rehabilitating a horse with navicular. This syndrome has many determining factors (highly politicized ones too), and solutions. In Doc's case, we followed the counsel of two barefoot trimmers who understand that horses who land toe, then heel rather than heel then toe, can be slowly reversed through trimming and heel support.

This is not a new approach.

Our barefoot trimmer will follow Dr. Rooney's methods for Doc's case. We are trimming to get the heel toe landings; and we are supporting on occasion with Easy BootsRX (that have hoof inserts). We are putting him out to pasture to encourage circulation and movement. We are also massaging the legs to help with the historical strain and possibly new tension as his posture changes. We are giving him very light exercise and lots of love. In two short months, we have witnessed SIGNIFICANT improvement. Some days are great, some days are ouchy. We realize Doc's rehab may take a year or longer. We may also play with glucosamine and joint therapy come winter months when pain can increase in inflammation and/or arthritic situations. We are thankful for all the wonderful support from EFR friends and caregivers. Together we help these amazing horse friends of ours live with more love and less pain.

Poem by Akaysha, who has helped doctor him over the past few months:

DOC

I imagined Doc as a Rose,

That was about to close.

But everybody helped regain his power,

So he was no longer a closing flower.

Now he is still in a bit of pain, but having fun,

That loves us like the shining sun.

We all love him lots,

and he is always in my thoughts.

~ Akaysha.