Navicular syndrome causes chronic lameness in horses. Understanding surgical and medical options helps owners and vets make welfare-centered treatment decisions.
Navicular syndrome presents genuine welfare challenges because the condition is painful and progressive, yet horses can often remain in work with appropriate management. The welfare question around neurectomy is complex: it removes pain sensation, potentially improving the horse's comfort, but also removes an important protective pain signal and carries surgical risks. Welfare-centered decision making requires honest assessment of the horse's quality of life, the nature of their work, and the evidence base for each intervention.