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Navicular Syndrome in Horses: What Actually Helps
A navicular diagnosis can leave horse owners feeling like their only options are corrective shoes, injections, pain medication, and eventually retirement. But how much do we really understand about what's causing the pain?
In this episode of the Equine Energy Medicine Podcast, Audrey Christie takes a closer look at navicular syndrome in horses, including the anatomy involved, why heel pain isn't always caused by navicular bone degeneration, and what a whole-horse approach to supporting comfort and soundness can look like.
After working with numerous horses diagnosed with navicular-related problems and seeing many of them improve, Audrey challenges the assumption that ongoing symptom management is the only path forward.
We'll explore conventional navicular treatments alongside the nutritional, metabolic, and mechanical factors that may influence tissue health and recovery.
What You'll Learn
- Navicular disease vs. navicular syndrome: Why pain in the back of the hoof may involve the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bursa, supporting ligaments, coffin joint, or navicular bone itself.
- Why X-rays don't always tell the whole story: What radiographs reveal, what MRI may identify, and why an accurate veterinary diagnosis influences treatment decisions.
- Hoof mechanics and navicular pain: How long toes, underrun heels, hoof-pastern alignment, and mechanical loading can affect the navicular apparatus.
- Conventional treatments: The potential benefits and limitations of corrective shoeing, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, rehabilitation, biologics, and neurectomy.
- Anti-inflammatory forage nutrition: Why Audrey evaluates the entire ration, including hay and pasture, rather than focusing exclusively on bucket feed and supplements.
- Mineral imbalances: The recurring elevated iron, low magnesium, copper, and zinc imbalances, and functionally low sodium patterns Audrey observes through her Minerals and Metals Mane Test (MMMT).
- Oxidative stress and tissue recovery: How antioxidant defenses, collagen maintenance, circulation, and bone remodeling relate to overall musculoskeletal health.
- Supportive holistic therapies: Exploring red and near-infrared light therapy, PEMF, and energetic approaches as complementary options within a comprehensive care plan.
Audrey's Foundation First Approach
When supporting horses with navicular-related problems, Audrey focuses her work along see the veterinary care team on four areas:
- Building an appropriate anti-inflammatory, forage-first diet.
- Investigating nutritional and mineral patterns through MMMT.
- Addressing hoof mechanics and developing appropriate movement and rehabilitation plans with qualified professionals.
- Considering supportive modalities such as red/NIR light therapy, PEMF, and traditional energetic practices.
A navicular diagnosis does not automatically predict how much improvement is possible. Some horses have significant structural damage requiring ongoing management, while others may have additional contributing factors that can be addressed.
The goal is to understand the individual horse and investigate every reasonable opportunity to improve comfort, function, and long-term soundness.
Resources Mentioned
Minerals and Metals Mane Test (MMMT)
Learn about Audrey's approach to evaluating mineral patterns and developing individualized nutrition strategies.
Equine Energy Medicine Education
Explore classes and resources for horse owners covering anti-inflammatory forage nutrition, mineral balance, hoof health, and whole-horse wellness.
https://equineenergymed.com/resources
Research Mentioned
Wan et al. (2020). NIR light-assisted phototherapies for bone-related diseases and bone tissue regeneration: A systematic review. Theranostics. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.49784
Zein et al. (2017). Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Bone Regeneration During Osseointegration and Bone Graft. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2017.4275
These studies explore biological mechanisms and bone-related applications of light therapy, but do not demonstrate reversal of equine navicular lesions.
If you know a horse owner struggling with a navicular diagnosis, share this episode with them!
Educational content only. Acute, persistent, or recurrent lameness requires appropriate veterinary evaluation.
Minerals and Metals Mane Test: https://equine-energy-medicine.myshopify.com/products/minerals-and-metals-mane-test?variant=66748496150832
Find all the resources listed here: linktr.ee/equineenergymed
Audrey is not an MD or DVM and has never implied or claimed to be either. Audrey holds a Doctoral Degree in Traditional Naturopathy and a Master's Degree in Science. She created an evidence-based anti-inflammatory nutrition program for equines and has successfully helped over 10k horses with a balanced anti-inflammatory forage diet.
This information is non-medical in nature and is not meant to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or cure, and is not a replacement for your veterinarian. These are my personal interpretations based on my education, skills, and experience.
Equine Energy Medicine refers to non-invasive, supportive modalities focused on energetic balance, nutrition, and overall well-being, and does not replace veterinary care.
