Which condition typically affects the front feet and is a chronic disabling condition?

• A. Laminitis
• B. Navicular disease
• C. Bowed tendon
• D. Ringbone

Answer: (B)

Navicular disease is a chronic degenerative issue of the navicular apparatus—navicular bone, its bursa, and the deep digital flexor tendon—that most reliably presents as a front-limb lameness and can become disabling with ongoing work. Because horses bear most of their weight on the front feet, problems in this region tend to manifest there, and the condition tends to persist and progress over time. Clinically, horses often show a shortened, stiff stride with pain localized to the heel/navicular area, and lameness can be bilateral. Imaging may reveal changes in the navicular bone and surrounding structures, and management focuses on reducing concussion and stress at the navicular region through careful trimming, specialized shoeing, rest, and anti-inflammatory strategies. Other conditions can affect the front feet, but the combination of front-foot localization, chronicity, and potential to be disabling makes navicular disease the best fit for this scenario.