Breeding from a mare with kissing spine

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Roskilly

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I have a friend who has been offered a mare to breed from who has recently been diagnosed with kissing spine. Just wondering if anybody has any experience with kissing spine, would you breed from a mare with it and is it heredity (spl).
 
Has the mare had an injury which has bought on a kissing spine or has she always been a little troubled with her back and has now had kissing spine confirmed.

Either way I have never heard of a foal being born with this condition but conformation is certainly passed on and if you do consider breeding I would suggest a TB with proven progeny as then you narrow down the cocktail of possiblilites if you use a partbred stallion. My advise is a stallion who is graded as well as an older one so you can see some older horses by your choice.
 
I believe that recent research has suggested that kissing spines could be hereditary, but as with a lot of things, nothing has been proven either way.

One important thing to consider is whether being in foal and giving birth would cause further damage and pain to the mare. This obviously depends on the location of the damage and other factors.

My mare's daughter suffered some spinal damage and unfortunately delivered a stillborn filly more than six weeks early and the decision has been made not to put her in foal again. The damage was extensive however, and I know a beautiful healthy foal born to a mare with kissing spines, so I think each individual case carries different pros/cons.

To be honest, I probably wouldn't breed from a mare with kissing spines, but that's just me. A vet would be able to give you more of an idea of any problems that the mare may face.

Sorry for the essay!
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Thanks for the advise. I believe the mare is 4yo, ID/TB who was diagnosed with a kissing spine after being broken. She would want to breed her to ID stallions.

My opinion in that there are plenty of other mare out there with out problems but any other opinion will be gratefully recieved.
 
I have been offered broodmares on loan in the past with kissing spines and always turned them down as for me both risks are too great. Both the risk of the mare carrying the weight of the foal, and the risk of her passing on the condition. There are plenty of good mares out there, a 4yo with kissing spines does not sound like a good candidate to breed from.
 
The mare sounds like a heavier type and like others have said the risk to the mare and unborn foal during the later stages of pregnancy will be great and if the owner also wants to add to this with an RID stallion then I would most certainly say no thank you.

The mare in question - has anyone looked into the background of her breeding. Has anyone else had similar problems with other progeny. If not and the owner feels the mare is worthy of breeding from, with good blood lines then kissing spines can be operated on - and as long as its clear she is looking for a healthy and happy mare then hopefully a veterinary expert would be able to advise.
 
ive just had a gelding with kissing spines PTS after spending 2 yrs trying to make him comfortable. he had quite a moderate case (not the worst the vets had seen but quite bad) and wen i first got him he was in agony just out in the field ie wouldnt graze wouldnt roll etc. i found that the fitter i got him and the more ground work i did with him to get him using himself correctly the better he got but if he had a few weeks without being worked he would get sore again he was never right and would get very grouchy and spooky and daft if his back was a bit sore.

i would say that a mare with kissing spines wouldnt cope with carrying the extra weight in late pregnancy especially as im guessing she would not be worked to maintain her back muscles.
 
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