Kissing spine question

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swade

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Hello,

I am new to the forum and i see questions have been asked about kissing spine but have a question of my own!:)
My friends horse has been diagnosed with Kissing spine-the horses spine is not fused but the vertabrae are close together (15,16,17 rib). She has been told to carry on with riding activities but advised not to jump him.
Can anyone tell me is this a degenerative problem that will gradully get worse over time? or is it likely the horse can carry on until old age?
Thank you
 
I have a young horse with the same problem. His prognosis is poor as he also has an old fracture on his neck and has arthritis.

There is one vet practice in Gloucestershire who have operated on many horses with this problem. If you google you will find the vet and practice I think his name is Kuhn? Ring them and ask. I found them very helpful.
 
In all honesty, the chances are that this will degenerate over time. However you can help to delay any degeneration by allowing the horse to do as much work as possible in a long and low position, really stretching the top line and allowing the spine to "open", but maintaining a light contact, riding forwards into the contact and not allowing the horse to run onto his forehand. Allowing the horse to work in a hollow outline won't do the kissing spines any favours whatsoever.

Take a look at the books by Gerd Heuschmann - they're not about kissing spines, but they do explain a lot about biomechanics, and should help you understand more about how best to help the horse's back.

Also, make sure the saddle fits really well, and get it checked and refitted regularly.

Finally, don't feed from a high haynet. Feed from the ground (in a horses' natural eating position) as much as possible. A high haynet encourages the hollow back which you really don't want for this horse.

None of this can cure a horse of kissing spines, but it'll help to make the horse more comfortable and will hopefully prolong the horse's working life.

Faro
 
I think the vet practice referred to in the earlier post is Willesley Vets, and the vet in question is Svend Kold, in case you wanted to contact them.
 
I agree with the other posters about working long and low and about feeding everything on the floor. As much time as possible in the field is good too. It does tend to be degenerative.
We were able to carry on as normal with one of ours on half a bute a day, but eventually it did get too bad to ride him. I am surprised about the jumping advice - when their backs are rounded there is normally no pain - it is when their heads come up that it is painful and trot to canter transitions are normally difficult.
 
My horse is having the KS op in september. Her problem is congenital and yes she has got worse. I have been to see two horses that have had the op and both are fine and being ridden again.

I did think very hard about putting my mare throught the op but as she is only 10, she has hopefully another 10 years left in her so, this year has been written off and after the op she will have the winter in the field ready to start rehab in the spring.
 
One of my horses had the kissing spine op yesterday, it was a difficult decision to decide wheher to operate or not, only time will tell the level of success.

He was so bad he was unrideable, he was in agony and even walking was difficult. He had the op a week after diagnosis.
 
Willow1 said:
I think the vet practice referred to in the earlier post is Willesley Vets, and the vet in question is Svend Kold, in case you wanted to contact them.
Click to expand...

My horse had the operation about 7 years ago.
Bushy equine vets in Breadstone did it.
Now called B and w equine group. (They merged with Willesly).

The operation was successful and she returned to normal work after her recovery period
 
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