Navicular syndrome (caudal heel pain) is a progressive and often frustrating condition to manage, requiring a multimodal approach to maintain quality of life in affected horses.
Navicular syndrome causes chronic pain that progressively worsens without appropriate management. Affected horses experience ongoing caudal heel pain that limits their willingness to work and affects their daily quality of life. The frustrating nature of the condition - requiring ongoing management, regular farriery, and periodic medical intervention - means some horses are inadequately managed, living with preventable pain. The decision to pursue neurectomy is a difficult welfare balance: restoring soundness benefits overall quality of life but removes pain sensation that protects against further injury. Careful long-term management maintains the best welfare outcomes for most affected horses.