Equine Veterinary Care

06/01/2026

Another treatment method that has been advocated for navicular disease is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). ESWT uses high-energy sound waves delivered to the targeted
tissue to stimulate blood flow and promote healing at the site.

For horses with navicular disease, shockwaves are usually administered through the frog in a series of treatments. As with many therapies for navicular disease, the reported results have been quite variable—some horses respond well, while others do not improve at all.

05/31/2026

For horses that have unsuccessfully been treated with multiple therapies to manage their navicular disease, surgical options may benefit them. Horses that become sound when local
anesthetic is placed over the nerves in the back of the foot (posterior digital or “heel” nerves) can have those nerves cut (neurectomy) to remove sensation to the painful part of the foot.

The results vary, but some studies report 74-77% of horses that had a neurectomy were sound one year after surgery, and 63% were sound after two years.

Another surgical technique involves cutting the ligaments that suspend the navicular bone, attempting to decrease the forces on the bone. In the study, looking at the largest group of
horses that had this procedure, 76% were sound six months after surgery, but only 43% weresound after three years. As with all surgical procedures, there can be complications and some horses won't be sound after surgery.

05/30/2026

Within the last ten years, a new class of drugs has been approved for use in horses with navicular disease, the bisphosphonates. As previously discussed, when the bone remodeling
process gets out of balance, osteoclasts remove old and damaged bone faster than osteoblasts can lay down new, stronger bone. Bisphosphonates selectively target and disable osteoclasts,
resulting in slowing the resorption of bone. This gives the osteoblasts a chance to “catch up” and get the remodeling process back into balance. The FDA has approved these products
intended for treating horses with navicular disease, and they have been shown to be both safe and effective when used according to their label instructions for decreasing lameness in horses with navicular disease 4 years of age or older.

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

We’re proud to have a veterinarian who not only brings skill and dedication to every patient, but also values mentorship, lifelong learning, and being a voice for the horses in our care. From sunrise mornings at the training center to emergency calls and everything in between — Dr. Delp truly embodies what equine veterinary medicine is all about.

We loved getting to spotlight her story, her family roots in veterinary medicine, and the path that led her to Equine Veterinary Care. 🐎🩺 https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FDY49HkXEWZQ%2F%3Fcarousel_share_child_media_id%3D3907141477659141712_76721542301&h=AUAcM4hqfdlN9siQjOrLKP2sihXoa3xZijT-uTj9x8Rp1xrE50Ls2thkEGUBTsks6wSs-VA-EvMbNF06pP6Td3RO-IiOOQjWisi0lD6tqRG617V8fGFCdFWtVouFMYsXojA

05/29/2026

For many horses that have a specific site in the navicular apparatus that is identified as being a source of the problem— the navicular bursa, the coffin joint— direct injections of any of several
medications with anti-inflammatory effects may be helpful for some horses. Corticosteroids were the original drugs used, and are still used today, but with the development of newer
“orthobiologic” therapies many veterinarians are now choosing these products for these injections.

Most of these products are derived from the horse’s own blood and injected into the affected bursa or joint. Some examples of orthobiologics are interleukin receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), platelet rich plasma (PRP), other blood derived products, and products derived from the birth tissues of mares.

05/28/2026

Two other drugs that have been used to treat horses with navicular disease are isoxsuprine and pentoxifylline. Both drugs act to dilate blood vessels and may decrease the viscosity, or
thickness, of the blood but the way they may potentially help a horse with navicular disease is not really known.

A few studies have looked at the effects of each of these drugs on horses with navicular disease, and some have demonstrated some benefit to these horses. The effects are
quite variable between horses.

05/27/2026

For a long time, horses with navicular disease have been treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, or firocoxib.

These drugs are generally given to horses to improve their comfort level by decreasing inflammation but do not have an effect to help resolve the underlying problem.

Despite that, periodic use of
NSAIDs can benefit many horses diagnosed with navicular disease. However, long-term use of some NSAIDs can cause problems in horses such as ulcers and some kidney problems.

05/26/2026

The most common treatment for navicular disease involves changes in shoeing the horse. Many horses respond well to correction of the hoof abnormalities associated with navicular disease.
Carefully evaluating the conformation and balance of the hoof is the first step in creating a shoeing plan designed to reduce the forces that are placed on the entire navicular apparatus.
This shoeing goal is often started by correcting the balance of the hoof and correcting any abnormalities in the angle between the hoof and the pastern.

Second, efforts are made to protect the back part of the foot (where the navicular bone sits) from excessive force, in part by maintaining good height and spread to the heel.

The third part of most shoeing plans is to decrease the amount of work the foot must do by making it easier for the hoof to “breakover.” This can be done by shortening the length of the toe and/or rolling the toe. In most cases, the horse with navicular disease benefits from a shoe that is set back to support the heels and wide enough to allow the hoof to expand. Veterinarians and farriers working together toward a common goal benefit both the horse and the horse owner.

05/25/2026