Fiorano
Well-Known Member
Hi. My horse has just had a kissing spine operation. I would like to to hear from anyone who has had a horse go through this operation. Thanks.
Kissing Spine!
- Thread starter Fiorano
- Start date
debradley
Well-Known Member
Hi Honey had her's down June last year at Willesley. Where was yours done. She's doing really well she looks and moves like she did when she was 5. It's lovely to see. Hope your rehab goes well. There's lots of us on here. Bethh is the font of all knowledge on this subject and a really helpful friend if you have any questions. But if you have any questions just ask.
Fiorano
Well-Known Member
Thanks! I think I'm just feeling a little anxious about his recovery. The operation went really well according to the vet. He had the op in Gloucester. He has been a little unfortunate as he's been on box rest for a navicular type problem for 12 months and now this! Anyway enough worrying lets deal with what we've got!! Did you use a physio during Honey's rehab? How long until you turned her out? Sooooo many questions!
seabiscuit
Well-Known Member
Did Svend do him?
My horse had lots of H wave therapy and ultrasound straight after his operation, as that helps the healing, and keeps the circulation going in the surrounding muscles. Turned him out in a small patch of grass 3 months post op. He is doing great now, and has won lots of dressage comps at Novice level and jumped a few clear rounds SJ.
My horse had lots of H wave therapy and ultrasound straight after his operation, as that helps the healing, and keeps the circulation going in the surrounding muscles. Turned him out in a small patch of grass 3 months post op. He is doing great now, and has won lots of dressage comps at Novice level and jumped a few clear rounds SJ.
Dressagebabe
Well-Known Member
Hi
My horse was diagnosed with kissing spine 6 yrs ago but I decided not to go the surgery route, It wasn't too bad, only 3 vertebrae under the saddle area so I did loads of muscle building work and always ride him long and low which eleviates it for him. I have known lots of horses that have had the surgery and the majority have come through it really well so good luck.
Incidently, Svend always tells you to do lots of Pessoa work - is this still his advice once they are at the stage of working again??
My horse was diagnosed with kissing spine 6 yrs ago but I decided not to go the surgery route, It wasn't too bad, only 3 vertebrae under the saddle area so I did loads of muscle building work and always ride him long and low which eleviates it for him. I have known lots of horses that have had the surgery and the majority have come through it really well so good luck.
Incidently, Svend always tells you to do lots of Pessoa work - is this still his advice once they are at the stage of working again??
debradley
Well-Known Member
Hi there again. It's a bit daunting isn't it, but you'll be fine. Yeah I had the physio start on Honey at week 7 and don't regret it for a mo. Svend didn't like it at all (me having the physio early), but I'm not a top horsie person and wanted a professional to help me and guide me thru a good recovery programme incorporating Willesley's regime (helped that my insurance covered it). When I took her back to Willesley for her 12 week check up, Svend agreed that she was one of the most supply horses he'd seen after one of these ops. I only managed 4.5 week of box rest, but put Honey out into a 15 x 20 m turnout with sedative after that and she was much better. Did her mental state the world of good as she was able to be with our other pony, and she seemed to realise her limitations, she just knew she wasn't able to buck or be stupid.
Don't be frightened to ask lots of questions there's lots of people on here to help. It's not as much of a roller coaster as you think, your hardest part was making the decision to have the op.
Don't be frightened to ask lots of questions there's lots of people on here to help. It's not as much of a roller coaster as you think, your hardest part was making the decision to have the op.
1964
Well-Known Member
hi, just got my horse back from having the op aswell, he had his on the 17th of this month.
so im just in the same position as you but ive had loads of advice from debradley, she has been fantastic if you need any advice she will help and also beth.
only got my boy back on wednesday and i have to walk him out in a chiffeny already he is feeling so well in himself and has got a sparkle back in his eye, cant see me making the 6 weeks box rest so ive asked my vet to bring some sedolin when he comes to take out his stitches on thursday.
im jsut going to try and take each day as it comes and hopefully listen to my horse and how he is feeling and he will tell me his limits.
wish you all the best with your horse keeps us updated on how your geting on pm if you want
so im just in the same position as you but ive had loads of advice from debradley, she has been fantastic if you need any advice she will help and also beth.
only got my boy back on wednesday and i have to walk him out in a chiffeny already he is feeling so well in himself and has got a sparkle back in his eye, cant see me making the 6 weeks box rest so ive asked my vet to bring some sedolin when he comes to take out his stitches on thursday.
im jsut going to try and take each day as it comes and hopefully listen to my horse and how he is feeling and he will tell me his limits.
wish you all the best with your horse keeps us updated on how your geting on pm if you want
squirtlysmum
Well-Known Member
Blimey lots of neds have had this op, mine too just over a year ago, I would be riding him again but he had 'an occurance' in November so he's having the winter off for his new injury to heal completely but I've heard of so many that are going great guns since the op so just remember you are not alone and this forum is a great place for knowledge from other people.
Caritas
Well-Known Member
Best of luck, you will be fine as long as you stick to the fittening program. That is my horse in the picture a year after he had 2 spinal processes removed, he is fab, no problems!! Any concerns do pm me, best wishes xx
Fiorano
Well-Known Member
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has replied with such support and good advice! It's amazing to hear all about the good recoverys so fingers crossed! He only had the op two and half weeks ago and my vet said he should be walked out for about 10 mins a day just to stretch his legs and work those muscles. Well he is obviously feeling VERY well in himself as he has started to 'jog' along beside me - a little worrying with those staples still in, so he is now confined to walking up and down the stable block a few times keeping all four feet nearer the floor! Thanks again everyone I'm sure I'll be driving you mad asking silly questions as his recovery continues.
PS Your boy looks fab Caritas!
PS Your boy looks fab Caritas!
BethH
Well-Known Member
Please PM me if you need any help or advice, everyone on here has done an amazing job with their neds and will want to see you come through this successfully. Hopefully, you'll be back on your horse asap and I am happy to answer any questions you have and I am sure the others on here feel the same.
Mine had op 18mths ago and is doing well, the rehab is the key. Mine had 5 wks box rest then 7 weeks in a 15metre square pen in the field again like the others, he knew his limitations and coped better being out, he even spent some of it out 24/7! I walked in hand from day after op, my horse is quite a nervy, spooky type so if yours is at all the same, keep him moving but make sure you are safe, I ended up just walking round the yard as he was more than a bit of a handful to walk out and nearly flattened a dog and owner the first time I walked him off the yard, so I decided not to repeat the experience!! After 6 wks started long reining and after 14wks (would have been 12, but he split his stitches having a tantrum one day in his stable!) got back on. We in effect re-backed him and took things really slowly making sure he learnt to use his back legs properly and that he went forward calmly without rushing or panicking, he is now ridden 5-6 times a week and is coping well, he has also started doing a few small jumps. 12 months after op he went out to his first ever show and managed to do pre-lim dressage calmly which we were thrilled about. He has (touch wood) remained sound and is much happier so I have no regrets at all. I feel this is quite an achievement for a horse that was about to be PTS as his behaviour was so bad, he was almost impossible to handle and I think it is a very difficult decision to make to have surgery so well done to you. Just let your horse tell you how much he can cope with and don't push it. In my experience, Kissing Spines horses are able to talk very loudly to their owners and we have all become well practised at listening very carefully!
Best of luck to you, it sounds as though you are already doing well so have my fingers crossed for you that it continues.
Mine had op 18mths ago and is doing well, the rehab is the key. Mine had 5 wks box rest then 7 weeks in a 15metre square pen in the field again like the others, he knew his limitations and coped better being out, he even spent some of it out 24/7! I walked in hand from day after op, my horse is quite a nervy, spooky type so if yours is at all the same, keep him moving but make sure you are safe, I ended up just walking round the yard as he was more than a bit of a handful to walk out and nearly flattened a dog and owner the first time I walked him off the yard, so I decided not to repeat the experience!! After 6 wks started long reining and after 14wks (would have been 12, but he split his stitches having a tantrum one day in his stable!) got back on. We in effect re-backed him and took things really slowly making sure he learnt to use his back legs properly and that he went forward calmly without rushing or panicking, he is now ridden 5-6 times a week and is coping well, he has also started doing a few small jumps. 12 months after op he went out to his first ever show and managed to do pre-lim dressage calmly which we were thrilled about. He has (touch wood) remained sound and is much happier so I have no regrets at all. I feel this is quite an achievement for a horse that was about to be PTS as his behaviour was so bad, he was almost impossible to handle and I think it is a very difficult decision to make to have surgery so well done to you. Just let your horse tell you how much he can cope with and don't push it. In my experience, Kissing Spines horses are able to talk very loudly to their owners and we have all become well practised at listening very carefully!
Best of luck to you, it sounds as though you are already doing well so have my fingers crossed for you that it continues.
Grumbledor
Well-Known Member
Mine had the op nearly 2 years ago now. He's doing great
Fiorano
Well-Known Member
Well, my boy had the staples out of his back today, all 30 of them! He had to be sedated of course, but my vet was really pleased with the wounds and touch wood, there is no oozing anywhere. He is now off the bute and antibiotics so Im hoping he will continue to make progress. I'm going to contact a physio and over the next few weeks start the build up process. Many thanks to everyone who posted and for all the support given - I'm even starting to see a little chink of light at the end of the tunnel!