How to Tape a Navicular Horse

One of the most common questions I get is how to tape a navicular horse. 

Foot balance and excellent hoof care will always be priority over tape. If you haven’t, start there. I cannot stress this enough. 

What can be labeled as “navicular” on a horse?

Several pathologies could be labeled as navicular on horse. Damage can occur to the deep flexor tendon, the navicular bursa, or navicular ligaments all resulting in pain and lameness.

The navicular apparatus is made up of:

1. Navicular bone

2. Coffin bone

3. Short Pastern bone

4. Deep digital flexor tendon

5. Navicular bursa

6. Collateral sesmoidean ligament

7. Impar ligament 

So determining the cause of lameness can determine the treatment. 

One study used MRI to look at 72 Horses with Navicular Syndrome and found these numbers. 

• 86% - abnormalities in navicualar bone

• 44% pathologic changes of the DDFT

• 75% pathologic changes of the CSL

• 36% pathologic changes of the DSIL

• 18% with pathologic changes to multiple structures severe enough to where the primary lesion could not be determined

This is another amazingly well done paper that looks at the entire horse and shows a significant relationship between poor whole body mechanics and navicular syndrome. A weak thoracic sling is almost always associated with a navicular case. This article is excellent and worth the time to read.

So how do you tape a navicular horse?

So to answer the original question, taping the horse for correct body mechanics and pain regulation is great for a horse that is being rehabbed with balanced feet. 

The tape will magnify the neuromuscular reeducation process. It will give the horse better awareness of the poorly used part of the body, decrease fatigue, and support muscles. 

Injury rehab and prehab should always include the entire horse.

To learn more about taping applications, check out my foundational taping course.