Navicular syndrome is a leading cause of chronic forelimb lameness in horses, causing significant and often underrecognised pain and welfare compromise.
Navicular syndrome causes persistent, often severe pain in the forefeet. Horses may exhibit a characteristic short-striding gait, stumbling, and reluctance to work. Because horses are prey animals that often mask pain, the welfare impact is frequently underestimated by owners. Horses with untreated navicular pain may be pushed to continue work, resulting in significant suffering. Welfare management includes corrective farriery with wide-web egg-bar shoes, anti-inflammatory medication, and podotrochlear bursa injections in some cases. Recent evidence supports rest periods on soft ground, reduced workload, and for some horses, surgical neurectomy as a last resort. Retirement to a well-managed field with soft ground can substantially improve quality of life.