Palmar foot pain syndrome (often called navicular disease) is a common source of chronic forelimb lameness in sport horses, requiring long-term welfare-focused management.
Palmar foot pain causes chronic, often bilateral forelimb pain that significantly impairs welfare and performance. Many horses work through chronic pain that is misattributed to training problems or temperament issues rather than recognised as lameness. Accurate diagnosis through nerve blocks and MRI identifies the specific pain source and guides targeted treatment. Farriery modification — appropriate shoe and trim to reduce palmar loading — is the cornerstone of management. Anti-inflammatory medication provides pain relief, and bisphosphonate drugs can reduce bone remodelling in navicular bone disease. Welfare-centred management requires honest assessment of whether the horse can work comfortably with management or requires retirement.