fractured navicular

Question
Hello,
I have an 11 year old appendix who  has a fractured navicular..It was confirmed by x-ray when he was 6..I have tried many different approaches to shoeing him to keep him sound..Summers and hard ground are especially hard for him.He has done best in eggbar aluminum shoes with some kind of lift.I see you dont use the lift idea and am wondering what else i could try?He does have periods of soundness and is not a hard worked horse..He is in straight shoes and a pad now and he just isn't comfortable..any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Nicola Pattison

Answer
HELLO NICOLA...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

I'm proud you've read some of my comments before...Thank you !!

I'm just "not too high on" using eggbars and wedges on ALL NAVICULARS...it does help some.
Mostly because the impar ligament's attachment to the bone will give alot of horses relief
for awhile, until the hoof capsule changes or arthritis sets in.

You having an 11 yr. old and this has been going on for 5 yrs. now; he has to have not only inflammation but arthritis in the bursa.
It being awhile, I HOPE it's not alittle late for him. There is a generic glucosamine sulfate
injection that is VERY REASONABLE from "Veterinary Enterprises of Tomorrow" Mt. View, Okla.
580.347.2770 BUT ONLY YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN ORDER THIS. They will not sell to the public.
It is labeled as "Acetyl -D " on the bottle.
Great stuff and I have over 40 clients using it with success. I have had a 25 yr. old gelding on it for 7 yrs. and he does great for me. One injection, once a week, for a month and then just
5cc once a week in the muscle (IM) and alot of relief will follow.

As far as shoeing...every farrier is different. Some put more shoe on than others. Many rock the toe, which I'm a big advocate of doing. Every case is different. I don't always shoe every navicular horse the same. I'm a stickler on conformation and getting each horse
".just right and comfortable". I think that is the major key to success. Taking ones time and shoeing that horse for his/her problem and not JUST "recipe" every horse.

Also...you mentioned pads. I use a pour in pad ONLY OVER the heel area...not the entire sole.
It's by Vettec // Equi-Pak. Good Stuff !!

Best to You !!
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.