Kissing spine help

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melissa1971

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Please could you give me any experience you have on kissing spine, Had physio out yesterday and she thinks my boy has kissing spine just waiting for appointment to have him x rayed so im full of questions as this is not something I personally have come accross before.

What were the symtoms of your horse that lead you to think they had kissing spine?

If they need the op how expensive is it and do they make a full recovery?
If I decided to not go with the op could he happily live as a companion or would he be in pain?

im sure ill be back with more questions but if you could please tell me your experiences that would be great thanks.
 
My boy had KS and had the op, I think the op cost around £4000 and to all intents the op was a success. However he has remained a very unpredictable horse to ride but has definitly improved and to be honest all the great plans I had for him have dissolved I just love him for who he is.
He has to have continuous on and off physio but through finding a physio wonder woman his back has really improved. He is a twit and an over-reactor but I think that is down to brain more than pain these days. His case has not been straight forward at all. However when he was originally diagnosed I was in contact with a number of people on here who had been through the same and some of the cases had great success so it really depends on the horse.
 
My boy had the Op just over 7 weeks ago, so I can sympathise with you, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of info out there. Spirit had 5 dorsal processes removed and the op cost £3700 but in total I've spent about £5000 so far. Having said that I think the cost depends on how many processes are removed as this affects the length of operation and time spent in hospital recovering. My horses decline was so slow that I didn't even notice it at first, but in the end he started to bunny hop in canter and then couldn't canter at all, he was worse under saddle and if led on a very tight circle couldn't cross his back legs. It's been a tough few weeks and I started to lunge him this week and the differnce is apparent already. They say that kissing spines gives constant low grade pain but I imagine that this depends on the severity of the kissing spines and Spirits were so bad that I was told he should not be ridden again which left me with the choice of PTS or the op. I have started a blog about the operation and rehab, partly to give myself something to do and partly to try to help other people in the same position. http://kissingspines.blogspot.com/ I hope everything goes well for you, let us know how the xray's go.
 
My horse was diagnosed with kissing spines yesterday the poor thing, she's only 7 :(
But Im in the same boat! I know little about it and the treatments, I noticed there was a problem when she refused constantly when jumping and began rearing, but this progressed to rearing so badly she would nearly come back on me and being unable to canter, its very sad!

Hope your horse turns out ok x
 
My horse had xray as she was rearing and didn't like me getting her, she's only 4 and has had a cortisone injection and lots of physio she is getting better but I doubt she will ever be able to compete, I have started trying her wearing a back on track magnetic rug and it seems to loosen her up so she works more freely.
 
Hi

Thought I would just post this, as am 5yrs on from KS surgery with a horse similar to squirtly's and who had behaviour so awful it was PTS unless operating.

Despite my having regular panic attacks about whether I am imagining lameness or not (the latest being convinced he has a spavin with the vet booked to do lameness tests and now he is suddenly sound after scaring me witless over the last 2 weeks!!!! I swear he does it on purpose!) Ryan has done remarkably well, is fit, healthy, pain free and absolutely loving life - I have no regrets about my decision to help him by operating, however it is a rollercoaster ride that you have to be prepared to take on with lots of highs and lows.

Make sure you find an experienced surgeon who performs this op regularly like Svend Kold at Willersley and make sure you ask every question you can think of. I wouldn't agree with operating on every horse as I think if there are other issues and they are older it may not be the right thing but Ryan was 7 and still had plenty in his life to make it worthwhile.

May I wish you the best of luck, it is hard to make a decision and know if it is the right one but if you do a good job with the rehab, take your time but don't waste it, you have a good chance of getting back a rideable horse. Ryan is now competing novice dressage (not brilliantly I might add!) and hacking out alone which was unheard of pre op. If I can do it with my lack of experience and expertise so can anyone as long as you get some good help from qualified sympathic people. Fingers crossed for you.
 
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