Can I have some thoughts please 6 yr old tb post k/s op

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cellie

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My horse has had kissing spine surgery and is so much happier in himself and back appears pain free . When he went in for bone scan I rode before and after back blocks . Before back block he was really nodding in trot after block sound on left rein and occasional nod on right . If I sat to wrong diagonal sound . After rehab , we are 10 weeks in , he is sound on lunge on hard and soft surface . Hacking he was sound but is now head bobbing if I rise on right diagonal mostly sound if I rise on left . Copes fine if I do sitting trot but obv don't particularly want to do much post surgery . My friend has watched and there's no visible signs of lameness just head bobbing . I have plan I'm getting back shoes on tomorrow calling out mc timoni and will try lunging before I ride in school this appeared to help . I am thinking his back is probably still weak . The other thing I noticed is when I tried to ride smaller circle in school bobbing stopped !! Is this because he really engaged his back end ? . I have light hands he's in French link snaffle he very soft mouthed and works in lovely shape just chucks his head up and down . I have had vet out pre ridden and he's really pleased with progress we both realise he is going to need building up as his top line was poor . I'm just unsure if this is psychological or foreleg lameness .. Vet said he was sound ...its fine line tiding a horse through a problem to bringing on severe lameness . Bone scans showed hot spots around knee but lameness workout showed sound . He's had his teeth done and new saddle pro fitted .if I don't make any progress with issue I could consider using pain relief to see if it is psychological !!
 
Hi, sorry to hear you are concerned. Which op did he have? (Lig snip or traditional?) And when you say you are 10 weeks in do you mean post op or after completing a rehab programme?
A horse can be sound but dysfunctional. When you say he is head bobbing - I see you are associating this with a possible forelimb lameness but he could be head tossing as a result of muscular soreness/pain (obviously I am just throwing ideas around as have not seen him). Have you rehabbed him with a physio on board? It concerns me that you say he is very weak. I'd be tempted to say get off him and rehab him from the ground till he is much stronger then re evaluate his movement. This would give him more time to forget any pain associations with ridden too.
Having said all that the other consideration is that he is slightly lame somewhere - sometimes solving one problem sometimes reveals another as they have compensating all along.
 
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Thanks for reply . Had back shoes on yesterday and I can already see and feel change in his movement in field and walking in tonight . It is more of head tossing but up and down . Maybe sore back feet have caused some tension in his back but he was so grumpy I didn't want to put farrier at risk . Op for ligament snip was October he had 8 weeks walking and lunging and over poles some days . Didn't ride until 10th week post op . His top line has improved he's more babyish weak still learning I think I've over exaggerated as my vet wouldn't say crack on if it was that bad . I'll lunge now shoes are on and happy to go back few steps . If there's no improvement vet will come out . Wish they could talk �� It doesn't appear to be regular front limb lameness .
 
Glad he seems to be happier. From your description it does sound as though he could be sore somewhere and you are quite right the hind feet could have been causing a secondary back issue. I would strongly recommend getting a qualified vet Physio out to him (Acpat or Navp) and give him a good check over. Additionally they should be able to show you some brilliant core strengthening exercises for him. There are some very simple ones that can be done in the stable that are really effective especially for a KS horse. I would also recommend you long rein him rather than lunge - I think some Vet's recommendation of a strict lunging programme post op can be too harsh on lots of horse's and long reining is far better (imo). There are some great exercises you can do on the long reins which would benefit him greatly by the sounds of it.
I am currently rehabbing a post op (traditional) 5 year old. Happy to help in any way or recommend a physio near to you if I know someone.
 
Thank you I have physio recommended by my vet who gave me programme of stretching core strengthening exercises and pole work to help engage backend and back I'll restart that programme . Any other tips to build his back muscles would be great . I'll return to the ground again!!! And work from there . We always do carrot stretches he likes that and is very supple . We have track I can long rein round unfortunately no hills gentle incline is all we have In this neck of woods . Maybe some poles on long rein would help thanks again
 
It will take you time to build up the muscle. Most KS horses use themselves incorrectly and so his movement will have changed post op meaning new muscles are being used. Also a KS horse is used to having niggling pain and I think the mental issues are as difficult as the physical ones, if he is a bit sore he could have a little bit of anxiety causing tension, it can be a vicious circle. I agree get a decent bodyworker to have a good look, I use a combination of chiro & massage for my boy. I am also an advocate of long reining it is a far more balanced method than lunging which imho encourages one sidedness!

My horse was operated on for KS and spent 8yrs sound and happy afterwards. He has had a bad year but is back on the mend. The thing that has always allowed him to cope with everything is a slow but sure building of the muscle and when they do have a knock back, the muscle density helps them keep going. A decent overtrack on a walk is a really good start, I spend 3 or 4 months just in walk making sure he was moving correctly and then introduced the trot and canter slowly and in short bursts. Solid groundwork is key to long term success, it worked wonders for my very awkward horse and the groundwork builds a wonderful bond that tends to see you through the difficult moments. I guess in a nutshell, take your time but keep him working & moving.
 
The facebook group " Horses With Kissing Spine " is a great support for help, advice and problem solving if your not a member its worth joining.
Currently going through this myself but he has PSD issues and SI issues which are causing more issues than his KS according to bone scan and ultrasound on the PSD showed significant damage so will be operated on in a short while.
Probs with KS is there is so much more also linked in than just the spine :(
 
Helpful thanks I had Lou horse and probably feeling bit anxious bit of de ja vie
 
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