Dressage saddles good for kissing spines?

[nicola2019]

Dressage saddles good for a horse with a kissing spine?

 

[GrassChop]

I can't imagine it would make any difference but someone more knowledgeable may be able to answer.

 

[Jambarissa]

I dont think the weight bearing area is much different.

Do you know where the problem is?

I've known people use the total contact saddle with KS horses under physio care with success. In theory they look like they'd cause KS but this does not appear to be the case, think it's actually mainly genetic?

If you look at one try to do so with an open mind, also worth looking at the Facebook tcs endurance page. It's not for everyone but does really suit some better than a traditional saddle.

 

[Red-1]

I would say it is more important that the saddle fit properly and the horse is ridden so as not to be dropped and inverted, than the differential between dressage and jump saddles.

 

[ycbm]

think it's actually mainly genetic?

There is a genetic component in some horses but I'm pretty sure the concensus now is that the problem is largely postural.

 

[sbloom]

One that fits your horse and lets them move, find a fitter who truly understands posture, movement patterns and where to sit the rider to best help the horse. Every horse, KS or no, is different. There is no particular combo of channel width (wide enough for the spinal processes), panel type, pad etc that will work in every case, just always look to the correct postural in hand rehab before getting a saddle, and then a saddle that lets the horse push up in front.

We need to stabilise the horse in so many ways, including to help with these issues, so rider stability is also super important. You need to be over the horse's centre of gravity as much as possible, as well as over your own feet, crucial with dressage saddles (and no to big blocks unless you're not touching them, then they're pointless anyway!) but still you should be closer to your feet in a jump or GP than most saddles facilitate.

 

[ycbm]

Dressage saddles good for a horse with a kissing spine?

What question are you asking?

Are dressage saddles good for kissing spines?

Or

What dressage saddles are good for kissing spines?

 

[sbloom]

There is a genetic component in some horses but I'm pretty sure the concensus now is that the problem is largely postural.

Even if it is genetic the best rehabbers etc feel that the right training including on the ground will lessen the chance of those horses developing the issue. It's a predisposition only of course.

 

[Leah3horses]

Really, no saddle exists that is ' good' for kissing spines... it's a contradiction in terms. It also very much depends upon the individual horse affected, how many vertebrae, which ones, how long, how severe, has been operated on or not, has gone through the correct KS rehab... without these details and extensive veterinary input , or knowing that the horse should even be ridden, it's not possible to answer the question. Also, KS needs an holistic approach as KS very rarely is an isolated issue, ...there is usually limb/ shoulder/ pelvis/ neck/ hoof/ referred pain involvement too.

 

[sbloom]

Really, no saddle exists that is ' good' for kissing spines... it's a contradiction in terms. It also very much depends upon the individual horse affected, how many vertebrae, which ones, how long, how severe, has been operated on or not, has gone through the correct KS rehab... without these details and extensive veterinary input , or knowing that the horse should even be ridden, it's not possible to answer the question. Also, KS needs an holistic approach as KS very rarely is an isolated issue, ...there is usually limb/ shoulder/ pelvis/ neck/ hoof/ referred pain involvement too.

100%, almost always the result of a pattern of movement that has caused other issues, if not a direct primary-secondary situation. No quick fix.