A "Natural" Approach to Navicular Disease
This article was first published in EQUUS magazine. A group of researchers, farriers and other experts argue that restoring basic hoof function and getting a horse moving again are the best ways of addressing navicular problems. Joey, a handsome sorrel Quarter Horse, was a standout in the Houston Police Mounted Patrol unit. “We’d had Joey since 1996 and he was the very best horse we had, able to go into any dangerous, high stress situation and lead other horses in tactical formations,” says O fficer Greg Sokoloski, who trains the patrol mounts. Four years ago, however, the gelding’s place on the force was in jeopardy. After initially showing soreness in his left front foot, Joey began to move like a horse in pain, taking progressively shorter strides and landing toe first. Rest and medication had no effect, and, finally, x-rays confirmed bone changes consistent with the chronic heel pain known as navicular disease. Joey was outfitted with a wedge shoe t...