Navicular disease is a disease of the hoof where pain originates in the navicular bone, a small bone just behind the coffin bone.

Frequently, I am asked to examine a horse for back pain. Although the pain along the back is real, the problem often lies further down on the horse. Usually it stems from a chronic hind leg lameness.

With wet weather, horses are standing in mud. This softens the sole of the hoof causing tiny cracks, especially at the white line (the junction of the sole and the hoof wall). Dirt then works its way up under the sole where bacteria flourish.

Frequently, I am asked to examine a horse for back pain. Although the pain along the back is real, the problem often lies further down on the horse. Usually it stems from a chronic hind leg lameness.

Lameness in horses is one of the primary reasons for calling out your veterinarian. It causes wastage of young athletes and forces the ultimate retirement of older horses. Most horse owner know when their horse is lame. However, few are sure which leg is the lame leg.

Stifle lameness generally falls into one of two diagnostic choices the first is that of permanent or intermittent upward fixation of the patella.

The first and most important point of this entire article is that Navicular Disease is NOT TERMINAL. With treatment and care the large majority of horses that have a diagnosis of navicular disease can be managed and returned to their previous level of performance.

Tying-up is a laymen's term for the condition known as Exertional Rhabdomyolisis. In this condition there is massive contraction of the muscle groups along the back and rump of the horse.