So my hubbys 7 y/o QH was confirmed to have navicular last fall. It really stinks he is so young, never had any problems, is perfect for my hubby and its his very first horse, the horse he got just so he could go ride with me when we were dating!

So my question to yall is has anyone tried Horse Trax Gel pads, Equi-Build Firm pad, or Equi-Pak Instant Soft Pad?

If so how well did they hold up? I only have a couple more months of winter and I will be able to add somthing to his bar shoe is he wearing. We are willing to try just about anything at this point we just want him comfy if he goes sound great, if not and he is in lil to no pain perfect!

Also has anyone used those in cold weather? Im guesing the Gel would freeze but I dont know if the other two things would crack or what. Anywhos thanks for any ideas ~ Adrienne

I've only seen two "cures" for this and I'm not saying either is for you:

1.  I've seen young horses retired to pasture and shoes pulled, they are sound but only because they are now pasture art.  (Keeping them from getting fat and thus putting more weight on the foot can hard.)

2.  Nerving the hoof, no feeling no pain.  Downside, the horse can't feel their hoof and can injure themselves but the "fix" is permanent.

Answering your question, every horse is different and it may take some trial and error to find a pad that relieves enough pain to work for your situation.  I've only seen these as temporary fixes, eventually time will catch up with you and then nothing seems to help.

I wish you luck!

Thanks for the info. He as most of Alaskas horses have had all winter off but with out shoes he limps so bad its not fair to him. The hard frozen ground and cold im sure dont help. We are good about his weight as everyone has to have an eye winter seems to pack it on both my ponies and me lol. Thanks again for the fast reply and great info.

Im really hoping that somone has some info on any of the above stated three. All three of them state that they will help to some point. My farrier is who pointed me in the direction of them, but he has never used any of them.

www.hoofrehab.com

Check this website out. Our navicular mare has come leaps and bounds with this trimming. We have boots that we are currently riding her on the trails with and she is sound in a soft arena. We have taken the weight off her as well. She is doing better now than she has been in several years. She is in the process of growing out a whole new hoof!!!

Take off the bar shoe, keep an elevated heel with Equipak soft pad with PLR shoes from www.hopeforsoundness.com and insure breakover in all directions.  This could be quite helpful...try to avoid contracture of the heels/hence the Equipak..

(Experience over many cases over the years) Good luck with him, such a shame.