Navicular syndrome is a degenerative condition of the navicular bone and associated structures causing chronic forelimb lameness and significant welfare challenges in horses.
Navicular syndrome causes chronic pain that affects every step taken by the horse. The insidious onset means horses often endure significant discomfort before the condition is diagnosed. Management requires lifelong attention to farriery, workload and medication. Neurectomy removes sensation allowing horses to work without pain but removes important feedback about foot condition. Welfare monitoring of neurectomised horses requires extra vigilance as they cannot feel injuries that would otherwise cause protective lameness.