Tried a 4-degree pad on a navicular case and the owner called me a week later

I had a client with a horse diagnosed with navicular, and the vet suggested trying a 4-degree wedge pad to change the breakover. I was skeptical because I usually stick to a standard 1-degree pad for most corrective work. I fitted it with a standard keg shoe, and the owner reported the horse seemed way more comfortable after just three days. I learned that sometimes a bigger angle change can really help, even if it feels like a big jump from the usual. Has anyone else had a good result with a more aggressive pad angle on a tough case like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavinm893mo ago

Thought it was nuts, but it worked.

nancy_davis3mo ago

Right, it's not about the pad angle itself but changing the breakover point, which that wedge helps do. @gavinm89, that's probably why what seemed nuts actually worked so well.

robin4891mo ago

...and get this, my buddy Joe had almost the exact same thing happen. He put a 4-degree wedge on a QH with pretty bad navicular changes on X-rays. Horse was dead lame for months, just standing in the stall. Joe figured what the hell, worth a shot. Owner called him after four days saying the horse was walking out to the pasture without stumbling. I was like no way, but Joe sent me the video. Horse was moving totally different, way more forward and comfortable. Made me rethink my whole approach to wedge angles on those tough cases.