Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Equine General Health, Diagnosis and Treatments

Common Problems of the Race Horse
Have you ever wondered what it means when you hear a horse trainer or owner say, "My horse has navicular problems?" Well, Navicular disease--one of the most
common chronic foot lamenesses--is a corrosive ulcer on the navicular bone in the foot--typcially, but not always on one of the front feet. It may be caused by a variety of things--including improper shoeing or extensive work on hard ground. The symptoms are a tendency to "point" one foot and then the other, a narrowing of the foot and turning in of the toes, initial lameness when the horse first walks to the racetrack and heat in the foot.

As well, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), is a form of rheumatism and/or arthritis which permanently damages the bone, causing pain and i lameness. It can develop in one or more of a horse's joints and gets progressively worse over time. It is common practice to inject these types of damanged joints in order to preserve precious synovial fluid which keeps the joints lubricated and able to function properly.