Archive Case #105: Equine Navicular Syndrome

Clinical Clues

1. A horse is examined for chronic forelimb lameness affecting both front feet.
2. The rider says the horse takes short choppy steps and is worse on firm ground.
3. The horse lands toe first rather than heel first.
4. Lameness improves after a palmar digital nerve block.
5. Imaging supports pathology centred on the navicular apparatus.
6. Chronic pain arising from the navicular region commonly causes bilateral forelimb lameness in horses.

Diagnosis

Equine Navicular Syndrome

This case is most consistent with Equine Navicular Syndrome because the horse has chronic bilateral forefoot pain that improves with a palmar digital block. The most important clues are the toe-first landing and hard-ground lameness, which make a single traumatic injury less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.