Hi,

Well, I finally found out what Dusty has. When I got him, the former owner told me he had "caudal heel". I looked it up and couldn't find anything about it. Of course, I didn't have the correct spelling. All I knew was he didn't have enough cushioning in his front heels.

Anyways, this past week, I found an older back issue of "Horse Illustrated". In the Nov. 2003 issue, another woman's horse had caudal heel and didn't know what it was exactly.

Before this time, I surmised it was another term for navicular. According to the magazine, it's not quite. Navicular is pain known to be caused by or relating to the navicular bone in the horses heel. It is most common in the front feet (like Dusty), in males (like Dusty), and quarter horses (like Dusty). Caudal Heel Pain Syndrome is the full name of what Dusty has been diagnosed with. It has to do with pain in the heel that hasn't been linked to the navicular bone. Here's where the confusion comes in. It doesn't mean it's NOT navicular as further tests may show it is. Caudal Heel is related to the caudal of the heel where the navicular bone is located. But Dusty was diagnosed with not enough cushioning in the heel which means he has a degenerative condition of the cushioning and may not have a problem with the navicular at all. Either way, it can be serious if not managed correctly.

So, what to do. First off, remind his farrier, though the last time I did he said he didn't see any sign of his caudal heel acting up. He said there would be bruising in the heel. He's worked with Dusty since his previous owner. Second, remind the vet. They should know from the past but I want to make sure it is on his records. Dusty has never come up lame and that is good. He may have a milder form of it. It is commonly diagnosed in horses ages 3-15 years I believe and Dusty is 12. Right in the age range.

As far as Dusty's conditioning, he's on LSD or long slow distance training, probably the best he could be on as he can't be ridden or worked hard. Light work is good for him and his caudal heel as it increases the blood flow to his hooves by dialating the blood vessels. My farrier said Dusty has great hooves. Another good sign.

I believe God led me to this article. It sheds light on his condition and I now know more about how to treat it and can look it up. I'm so happy I found it.

Well, that's all for now. Dusty and Nugget get to see the farrier this coming week.

~Susan

~*If you keep your eyes on Jesus you'll never get lost.*~

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