Kissing Spine Rehab after Injections

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llohcins

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www.thehorsediva.co.uk
My horse was sadly diagnosed last week with kissing spine - five touching processes that are reforming. I am currently opting for the injections on Thursday and trying to research as much as possible in regards to retraining / rehab. If you have gone through this how long did you keep your horse in after injections? Mine does not cope well at all with being in especially as he has Shivers and currently Stomach Ulcers too. I'm really worried about adding to the stress and he is on a busy yard so when everything gets turned out he gets distraught rearing in the stable etc. In addition does anyone have any examples of their first few weeks of rehab? I am looking to do mostly in hand work moving on to lunge work but I am not happy with the vets idea of sticking him in a pessoa for weeks. I have joined the FB Group and got myself a few books/ learning the straightness training but really want to get a plan onto paper so I have something to try and follow. Any help gratefully received. It's a steep learning curve!!
 
As he has shivers, is he ridden?


Sorry, just read your other posts. Do the vets feel treatment will help with the stress and panic attacks?
 
amymay said:
As he has shivers, is he ridden?


Sorry, just read your other posts. Do the vets feel treatment will help with the stress and panic attacks?
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Yes he is - doesn’t show at all in ridden work. Yes finally got to bottom of it he has ulcers/ kissing spine which have caused all the behavioural issues. Relieved to have an answer!
 
I would be getting a good physio involved and try to follow a rehab that they have done successfully before, do check they have been involved in a successful rehab and ideally get one your vet recommends, I know of one that does use a pessoa and has had great success with many horses but I suspect she has trained the owners really well in how to use it to achieve the desired effect and a lot of her clients are pro riders.
I would prefer to lunge on two reins so I can have the horse working into an even contact, much as I would under saddle, aiming to get them really coming through and stretching forward while being able to move onto straight lines, change direction, go through a line of poles and even go into long reining mode to mix it up, to find what gets them working best and to stop the drilling that can happen if doing endless circles for hours on end.
I have never rehabbed a KS horse but have rehabbed and reschooled plenty of others and my aim with how they go would be pretty much the same as for KS, I would probably get onto ridden work a bit sooner.
 
Sorry but I would not box rest at all. As he is only having the injections I would set up a Very small paddock for him so he can be led out with the others and move around and graze freely. However, you don't say if your vet has recommended stabling at all so this might not be necessary?? The only thing I would be worrying about is keeping the small injection wounds clean while they heal over. As for the re-hab, I would invest in a session with a good physio to work out a programme specifically for him. Hope all goes well.
 
I think mine stayed in for 24 hours after his SI was injected to ensure it stayed clean and was then turned out 24/7 as normal just coming in to work and I would think the spine injections would be much the same although if he goes away to be done they ay keep him for the first night anyway..
 
Thanks all. Vet have said he will be okay to go out they will just put a small bandage over to keep sites clean. Huge relief of stress for us all! I have also spoken with them re a physio (as well as some other local people) and am now in touch with someone to come and assess him and come up with a plan of action. Everything is cross for tomorrow - keep calm and carry on and all that!!
 
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