navicular question

[xfortminor]

A couple months ago, I purchased a 12 year old TB mare from my old English teacher. She was lame at the time, but only a bit gimpy and the owner convinced me it was a stone bruise. I had my vet look at her, and it was, indeed, a stone bruise. Now a few months (and probably a little over $1000 of xrays, joint supplements and everything later) we've come to find out she has navicular. I purchased the horse for $1200, quite a jump down from the original $3500 the woman was originally asking for. But since she's cost us so much money (and dumped my mother..) already, no one in my family seems apt to keep her around. My farrier suggested putting on bar shoes, and I have the money to pay for it. My question is, how many of you have horses with navicular that can be ridden? I would only do flatwork with the mare unless permitted to do more. Do bar shoes only help keep them comfortable, or do they actually, truly help with pain and enable them to be ridden again? I love this mare to death and would seriously, seriously hate to see her go (she would go back to the old owner, who would give her a few weeks off and then quickly put her back to work in a lesson program).

Any other information on navicular is highly appreciated. Thanks. <3

EDIT: Fixed some spelling errors. :}