Kissing Spine... would you buy a horse with it? (post op)

kezz86 said:
Totally 100% I think this is where the owners are and the horse seems to be doing great post op... however I think I now need to weigh out pros and cons and if its worth the gamble.

So I totally understand if they don't want to budge on price its their horse and their choice but I need to figure out if its worth the gamble from where I am sadly it's not looking good... Trying to keep an open mind and educate myself as much as possible by getting others personal experiences, before I speak to the vets.
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I very much doubt that they will find anyone who is willing to pay more than a few pence for this horse - and anyone who does is, sadly, likely to regret it.

If you really like the horse, I would say you would like to loan it but be aware that it probably won't be the sound horse that you need right now.
 
Well I have a horse diagnosed with very mild KS. We took him to the vet because we thought he had been injured, he was sweating on his left shoulder after work. The vet work up 'missed' the fact that he had fractured a rib but they diagnosed mild KS.

He was treated with an anti-spasmodic infusion and pain relief. I then worked him for 4 months exactly as per vet instructions. Long and low, walk to canter insight seat, then trot when fully warmed up. Six months later x-rays showed a complete recovery. Before we knew of his injury and mild KS he jumped clear round after clear round.

My advice is first look at the x-rays.
 
Rollin said:
Well I have a horse diagnosed with very mild KS. We took him to the vet because we thought he had been injured, he was sweating on his left shoulder after work. The vet work up 'missed' the fact that he had fractured a rib but they diagnosed mild KS.

He was treated with an anti-spasmodic infusion and pain relief. I then worked him for 4 months exactly as per vet instructions. Long and low, walk to canter insight seat, then trot when fully warmed up. Six months later x-rays showed a complete recovery. Before we knew of his injury and mild KS he jumped clear round after clear round.

My advice is first look at the x-rays.
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This boy is post op... I'm concerned that the op can do more long term damage than if he had mild KS that could have been helped with correct work etc. I've read a few reports that the ligament snip can cause problems later on..

I'm so sad for this gorgeous horse
 
Walk away. There are plenty of great horses out there for less than £5.5k that haven't had to have surgery.
I know a few that have had the ligament snip, they came back into work for a short while, but all three of them are now retired as broodmares at a young age.
 
Nasicus said:
Walk away. There are plenty of great horses out there for less than £5.5k that haven't had to have surgery.
I know a few that have had the ligament snip, they came back into work for a short while, but all three of them are now retired as broodmares at a young age.
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I'm not convinced by the affects the ligament snip may have long term on a horse. I know of several horses that have done ok for a couple of years then broken down and been retired/PTS. I would love to know if they have any data on horses current state say 5 years post op.....
 
whiteflower said:
I'm not convinced by the affects the ligament snip may have long term on a horse. I know of several horses that have done ok for a couple of years then broken down and been retired/PTS. I would love to know if they have any data on horses current state say 5 years post op.....
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They do, but it isn't yet published. One of the younger vets at the practice I use told me a year ago that she had just been to a conference about backs and that she now considered it completely unethical that local hospitals are still doing the operation. Instability of the spine is causing problems a short way down the line.

Mine was done but he smashed his head before he had fully completed the recovery. A friend's was done and it has not returned the horse to work. I know of a third that began to have fits immediately following the operation and was put down. I would not touch a horse who's had it done if the owner paid me to take it and, of course, I'd never have another done myself.
 
ycbm said:
They do, but it isn't yet published. One of the younger vets at the practice I use told me a year ago that she had just been to a conference about backs and that she now considered it completely unethical that local hospitals are still doing the operation. Instability of the spine is causing problems a short way down the line.

Mine was done but he smashed his head before he had fully completed the recovery. A friend's was done and it has not returned the horse to work. I know of a third that began to have fits immediately following the operation and was put down. I would not touch a horse who's had it done if the owner paid me to take it and, of course, I'd never have another done myself.
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This would be so useful to see long term research!!!

Anyway I now have post op scans and am going to discuss with my vet tomorrow.

Having read everyone’s replies though I think I know what I have to do... 😢

Thank you everyone for your honest replies and sharing your KS stories sadly it seems general consensus is I’d be mad to take him on...

I will let you all know what vet says and my final out come though I think you maybe able to guess!
 
kezz86 said:
This would be so useful to see long term research!!!

Anyway I now have post op scans and am going to discuss with my vet tomorrow.

Having read everyone’s replies though I think I know what I have to do... ��

Thank you everyone for your honest replies and sharing your KS stories sadly it seems general consensus is I’d be mad to take him on...

I will let you all know what vet says and my final out come though I think you maybe able to guess!
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Perhaps your case will be stronger, once you have some knowledge of the scans, that you can persuade the owners to loan him to you....it comes across that you want him :-)
 
Summit said:
Perhaps your case will be stronger, once you have some knowledge of the scans, that you can persuade the owners to loan him to you....it comes across that you want him :-)
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Thanks Summit, my vet has with out a doubt told me to walk away.. not ifs or buts or even discussing it! Literally looked at scans and said "don't touch" :'(

Massively disappointed but I wanted to give him a chance a he seems like such a sweet boy.
 
Having personally had a mare with KS it was successfully operated on at 8yrs old. She had secondary symptoms which were more severe or as bad as the KS. Ulcers, arthritis in her hocks, muscle damage, she was put to sleep at 9. The vet said nearly ever single horse with KS will have or experience secondary issues as they over compensate on other joints to avoid the pain.

I'd be to worried about the secondary issues that may spring upon you. Specially being so young, a friend had a mare since 6 months old very well bred. It was diagnosed with KS at 3yrs old (not having done a days work ever) and then arthritis in her hocks 6 months later. She was PTS at 4 as it was so severe and it was bred into her the vet thinks. If this gelding is 6, hes either been hammered at a young age or its bred into him. What else could be bred into him, if so? Who knows.

If you could get a clear MRI it would make me feel a bit more comfortable about it.
 
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