Kissing Spine and stabling...

[Tootroot]

Hello,
I posted something back in Jan asking people opinions on the kissing spine op.
My boy had 3 vertebrae removed, and has recovered perfectly. Really forward going and not so nappy.

BUT...He has moved yard recently, working well under saddle (now jumping, yipeee!) but being a flightly little thing to handle (usually a dope on a rope) and starting to be silly in his field. He was rather spooky in the outdoor school working in the pessoa a week and a half ago and tweaked his back (buck and a twist did it!). He has been off work for a week now, and im getting more and more concerned about him continuing to do this. He has been on equipalazone for a week after a visit from the vet who struggled to find the underlying cause of why he was so uncomfortable. Colic or Tying up was assumed, but bloods came back fine.
The thing that worried me was turning him out and him bombing about in his small paddock. He has never done this before and is usually really chilled. During the winter months, would it harm him if i was to stable him 24/7 with exercise twice daily? Lunge in the morning and ridden in the evening?

I'm not a great believer in stabling a horse 24/7, but since my recent move i have a 50 min comute to work which means i will be turning out in the dark, and bringing in in the dark. Looking into finding someone to do this for me so i don't have to deprive the poor sod. He's generally a very chilled boy in the stable, coped with the box rest perfectly. I just dont know if i can keep risking him pratting about anymore...or will he settle?

Views please?
Thanks guys

 

[BethH]

Hi there just wanted to pm you quickly as my boy is now 7yrs post KS op and doing a bit of everything still fit and sound.

The memory of low level niggling pain from KS can stay in there heads and my horse I think will always be a little stupid at times. I think it is them being used to not being 100% so they train themselves that they shoud flee at the slightest worry. I suspect that your boy is a little sore and he is in a circle of being a little sore so is panicking which makes him sore if you get what I mean. You may find he has just tweaked a muscle and that because he can be a little over sensitive it is making him a bit worried, a little bit sore can cause a lot of tension. Have you had a good chiro/body worker go over him, my boy is done regularly and vets are happy for this to be done, a good chiro won't throw him around the place if you explain, but they can get into the muscles and help ease it, also if you know anyone with an equissage that helps my boy loads too.

Fingers crossed, but I am sure it is nothing major, my boy was such a plonker he ripped his stitches apart, he is fine and a good massage always helps him.