Kissing Spine Experiences

[annee.conway]

Hi
My 9yo ISH mare has just been diagnosed with kissing spines affecting 9 processes.
The vet did say operating is an option but I was wondering other peoples experiences with ks and whether or not it is worth putting her through it all

 

[st5050]

Hi there,
There is a really good facebook group 'horses with kissing spines' - join it. I've never posted I just read the posts and take what I need from it....some people on there are very PRO OP and it can get a bit intense at times but it's a really good group and the majority of people are very knowledge. You'll find detailed experiences of all forms of the operations and the successful and sometimes unsuccessful rehab stories.

I've avoided the OP with mine so far (3 SP close but not touching) unrideable in Nov. steroid in Jan. Long slow rehab (basically rebacked him jan-april) going well under saddle now but it's he's high maintenance....equi ami twice a week , long reining and specific schooling exercises.....he is 7.

How is your mare ATM?

It's a tough journey....and I've been fraught at times that I'm doing the wrong thing by not having the OP.....if you follow the rehab to the letter I think they have a good chance but it is invasive particularly the version where they remove the bone....

Hope my tale helps a little.....

 

[catembi]

A month ago, mine had 3 processes removed & a ligament snip. He is now out in a small pen & being walked in hand twice a day. He is moving a lot better.

Second the KS group.

T x

 

[Primitive Pony]

My horse has KS, diagnosed over two years ago now, hasn't had an operation and is pretty much fine now - back to competing now. Steroids initially for pain relief and then have been able to work him through it and back to full strength with remedial saddlery, regular physio and appropriate rehab exercises. In my horse's case, it's believed that poor saddle fit was the cause of the problem (before I owned him - I wasn't involved when he was diagnosed so never had to question the idea of an operation or not, but definitely wouldn't now).

As such, the problem is potentially resolvable, at least up to a point, with appropriate management - this is really useful reading, I think: http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/04/help-horse-kissing-spine-goodbye/

 

[annee.conway]

Thank you all for all the positive responses. It has given me more hope for my Bella

 

[BethH]

Loved the horsetalk article. My horse had the op 9/10yrs ago and I found myself rehabbing very much like the article, my vet believes my horse had genetic KS as he wasn't right from being a just backed 4yr old. From the ridden point of view may I also direct you to the TTT (training teachers of tomorrow) website, all of my instructors have all been trained this way and all of the exercises in the article are part and parcel of learning to ride & sit on your horse correctly, if we respect them and ride them sympathetically and are self critical then that helps to establish a decent partnership.

I truly believe learning to long rein well and learning to sit on your horse with a decent posture goes a long way to helping their longevity and it is such a joy to ride a horse that is sensitive, supple and able to use itself correctly. If they are taught to follow the bit and can be put in any outline high or low it really is like pilates on horseback and I love the feeling of sitting on a cloud whilst they completely self carry. I am sure that's why despite his KS op as a 6yr old & a couple of setbacks over the last year, my horse is still continuing age 16 to be a wonderful, light ride and he is quickly re-establishing decent muscle and is looking very fit and healthy. Despite the KS, if you do your training and rehab slowly & sympathetically making sure you build good quality & supple muscle I am sure your horse will come through this.

 

[janengretel]

I do feel for you - it is such a blow to hear news like that. My experience has been pretty positive so far with my 13yo mare though I did completely abandon all expectations and ambitions for her once I had come to terms with it. I think that has helped with the patience necessary for successful rehab. Hers is inoperable because too many spines touching and mostly the condition shows no cartilage between processes, rather than overhanging/impinging processes. She was also never unsafe to ride, just stressy when put under pressure. I turned her out for a year and treated her like a pet (sorry I can well believe that is unthinkable). When I finally got her back into work I had her back injected in 5 processes. She was just unbelievably happy to be back in the human gang so was very cheerful about everything. She has got a different job now; I don t compete her because I don t think she can cope mentally with the extra demands. She does everything else; teaches my daughter to ride, does a bit of vaulting work, (because her canter on the lunge is so good after so much of it) hunts, takes friends out. She is very much appreciated, she just is nt quite what I thought she was going to be. Try not to get too fixed in your thinking about the outcome and GOOD LUCK.