Navicular syndrome is a leading cause of chronic forelimb lameness in horses, requiring careful management to maintain quality of life and athletic function.
Navicular syndrome causes chronic forelimb pain that significantly affects welfare during work and potentially at rest in advanced cases. The condition is heterogeneous — MRI reveals that horses with similar clinical signs may have quite different underlying pathology, requiring individualized treatment. Shoeing modification is foundational to management and should be performed by a qualified farrier working in consultation with the veterinarian. Horses with navicular syndrome may attempt to offload the affected limb with a characteristic toe-first landing pattern that worsens the underlying pathology; correct shoeing addresses this mechanical component. Welfare monitoring should include regular lameness assessment to ensure management remains adequate as the condition progresses or stabilizes.