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Is a bit of riding good for a 21 yr old navicular gelding2007-11-24 21:17:49Answers:

I have a navicular horse that is currently beginning to fall apart. I've been maintaining his comfort for 18 months, but now he's getting worse. He's 23 ish.

It really depends on the horse. There are QH's that develop navicular problems as young as 4-7 years old. They get nerved, and they get special shoes (either egg bars, or shoes that are set back, rocked, or have pads, etc) and move on with life.

Other horses don't do so well.

If you really really really want to know what the best thing for your horse is right now - go to the vet and get his feet X-Rayed. this will tell you for certain the condition of his feet.

My horse gets Xrays annually. He's had navicular for at least 8 years that I know of. One vet told me his films are worthy of being in a study and published -they're that bad, and it's amazing he's been sound for as long as he's been.

I hate to see him degrading so quickly like this. New Xrays this week, that's for sure.

But, as is the case with my horse, depending on how bad the bone(s) is/are, the more work you do to your horse, the worse off he'll be. Get those xrays.

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If you want to exercise your horse, take him for a walk, without anyone riding, just you walking beside him, then trot beside him, but never let him canter and you canter with him, NEVER!

When, he gets better at his walk, let him trot beside you, with you holding onto him, again without you riding.