George, I took my 10 yr old Quarter Horse gelding to Auburn vet hospital for a lameness exam on July 30, 2009. He has severely underslung heels, and I thought he had just gotten a stone bruise. When the vet examined him, he had a grade 3 out of 5 lameness on the right forelimb. After blocking the right forelimb, a left forelimb lameness was identified. He was found to have navicular changes in both feet as well as mild medial suspensory branch desmitis in his left forelimb. He was sent home for 6 weeks of rest.

A friend told me about the Gallium Nitrate treatment she had used with a severe navicular case in a pregnant mare she owned, so I forwarded the information to my vet and he agreed that we could try it.

Devon has been on the GN for a month now, and I have not noticed ANY lameness issues since about the 2nd week of the treatment. I have started him slowly back to work (walk/trot), and so far he is doing great. The vet said he is still supposed to be “quiet,” but today after our 40 minute work-out, Devon decided to check out the neighbor’s grass and cantered off when I had my back turned. Normally, he has been a fairly “lazy” horse, but obviously his feet seem to be feeling better. J I am excited to go back for his re-check exam next week. If the vet finds Devon doing as well as I think he is, my guess is that you will be inundated with new clients as the word gets out around Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine! Thanks so much, George!