Kissing Spine Rehabilitation - Water Treadmill?

Girlracer

Girlracer

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Hello everyone!

Sorry I have been a little quiet, life is rather hectic at the moment.

But I was really hoping you can forgive my relative lack of contribution of the last few months to help me with a query relating to Kissing Spine!

My wonderful horse was diagnosed with grade 3 ulcers, Kissing Spine and potential SI issues in July. He underwent treatment for the ulcers (has since rescoped clear following an extended course of Ulcergold), and on the 8th of August had a bone reshaping operation to put right the overlapping vertabra.

We are now coming to the stage where we can finally start thinking about rehabilitation, following a follow up vet check next Friday. Of course the majority of my rehab plan will be discussed and decided in conjunction with my vet and physio (who we are of course going to be seeing a lot of!). But I would love to hear others opinions and experiences of what I can do to give him the best chance.

Something I have been reading about is the Water treadmill, however I have seen both good and bad feedback on this, so I wondered what your thoughts were?

And what other complimentary treatment/exercise can I look into doing to help him recover 110%?

Thank you in advance and of course an obligatory picture of the man himself (on the right) last week. <3

img_2611.jpg
 
I've no experience of KS rehab so can't help you there unfortunately, but what a lovely picture and so glad the op went well and the ulcers are sorted x
 
Hi OP

My friend takes her horses to a water treadmill. Its never looked so well.Prior to that she started taking it swimming but because it had KS it was the worst thing she could do as he was arching his back so was forming a u shape in the water so the physio recommended water treadmill instead.
 
Who suggested taking a KS horse swimming?


GR there are a fair few people doing straightness training with KS/post op horses. There is a UK fb group that it might be worth asking on? I don't know much about the water treadmills I'm afraid but theoretically it would seem like a good idea if you have access to one you could get to regularly.
 
tatty_v said:
I've no experience of KS rehab so can't help you there unfortunately, but what a lovely picture and so glad the op went well and the ulcers are sorted x
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Thank you so much tatty_v, we are on the road to recovery and in the meantime Twig (on the left) is keeping me very busy!

hopscotch bandit said:
Hi OP

My friend takes her horses to a water treadmill. Its never looked so well.Prior to that she started taking it swimming but because it had KS it was the worst thing she could do as he was arching his back so was forming a u shape in the water so the physio recommended water treadmill instead.
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Thank you for that, yes I have decided to avoid swimming completely. I can see how it would benefit a horse with limb injuries but is totally the wrong concept for a KS horse. I will definitely look further into the treadmill.

ester said:
Who suggested taking a KS horse swimming?


GR there are a fair few people doing straightness training with KS/post op horses. There is a UK fb group that it might be worth asking on? I don't know much about the water treadmills I'm afraid but theoretically it would seem like a good idea if you have access to one you could get to regularly.
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Ah yes I have heard about this straightness training, this has reminded me to do some research - thank you! I have one about a 25 minute drive from me, I have left them a message today to get a bit more info.

Leo Walker said:
There is one near me that seems very popular. I'm thinking about taking mine when I get the transport finally sorted. Theres nothing wrong with him, but it does seem to be a really good way to exercise them. The one near me says it replaces the canter/gallop part of the fittening plan and liken it to pilates

https://equestrian.moulton.ac.uk/Equine-Therapy-Centre#Aqua-treadmill
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Thank you for that - really interesting. I started looking at them when a friend of mine had a horse with problems and she posted slow mo videos of the horse working on it - certianly looked like the right sort of thing. That being said I have seen some negative comments on how it encourages them to move.
 
Girlracer said:
Thank you for that - really interesting. I started looking at them when a friend of mine had a horse with problems and she posted slow mo videos of the horse working on it - certianly looked like the right sort of thing. That being said I have seen some negative comments on how it encourages them to move.
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Indeed, as horses utilise elastic recoil in order to save muscle energy adding the water for them to work against inhibits this recoil and therefore forces them to use muscles they wouldn't normally utilise, or to the same extent in relation to others.
 
gunnergundog said:
Indeed, as horses utilise elastic recoil in order to save muscle energy adding the water for them to work against inhibits this recoil and therefore forces them to use muscles they wouldn't normally utilise, or to the same extent in relation to others.
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Thank you, yes that is what I had read about elsewhere.
 
I've taken one with kissing spines to regular weekly session during rehab and now less often for maintenance. Really helped horse to loosen and straighten up. However it does depend on the person handling the horse whilst in it I have found. They need to be encouraged to stretch their neck out and down whilst walking, it they are allowed to come too far forwards on the treadmill so their head is up at the door then they are not working over their back correctly and on the one occassion this happened with a different member of staff I did notice they were tight when ridden the next day. Used correctly by good trained staff I have found it a real help
 
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