Navicular syndrome can affect horses of any breed or discipline. Veterinarians believe it is caused by mechanical stress and strain due to the constant pressure between the navicular bone and deep digital flexor tendon, which leads to the degeneration of those and other structures that make up the podotrochlear apparatus. Poor foot conformation, such as a long toe and low heel, increases this stress and might potentiate development of the condition. Beau Whitaker, DVM, CERP, of Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, in Salado, Texas, explains how veterinarians manage performance horses with navicular syndrome in this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt.

This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, “Performance Horse Lameness Problems” Listen to the full recording here.

About the Expert:

Beau Whitaker, DVM, CERP, grew up near Nashville, Tennessee on his family’s farm, developing a love for horses and livestock. He obtained a degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, after which he trained quarter horses in Gainesville, Texas for a short time. Whitaker graduated from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, in College Station, in 2005. Whitaker moved to Salado, Texas, and joined Dr. T’s Equine Clinic in 2007 (which later became Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals-Salado) where he established a busy lameness and sports medicine part of the clinic. He received his CERP in 2014 from the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville. Whitaker enjoys drawing, the outdoors, and spending time with his family when not working with horses.