In navicular disease, which conformation factor is a risk?

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Multiple Choice

In navicular disease, which conformation factor is a risk?

A high hoof angle creates a steep hoof-pastern axis, which concentrates forces through the navicular apparatus during weight bearing and the breakover phase. That increased lever and stress on the navicular bone and the related soft tissues tends to promote microtrauma and degeneration over time, making navicular disease more likely in horses with this conformation. While long toes and underrun heels can alter breakover and load distribution and contribute to the problem, the steeper angle is the factor most directly associated with raising risk in the navicular region.

A high hoof angle creates a steep hoof-pastern axis, which concentrates forces through the navicular apparatus during weight bearing and the breakover phase. That increased lever and stress on the navicular bone and the related soft tissues tends to promote microtrauma and degeneration over time, making navicular disease more likely in horses with this conformation. While long toes and underrun heels can alter breakover and load distribution and contribute to the problem, the steeper angle is the factor most directly associated with raising risk in the navicular region.

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