Kissing Spine

[Tingo]

Hi, my lovely boy is having kissing spine surgery next week. He’s been pretty good in behaviour, buck into canter (which has been done infrequently) and obvious pain when turning tight in hand ground work but out hacking, general Walk/trot has been really good. Just wondering what to expect from him during rehab. Completely happy with requirement of box rest, very gradual Muscle build up etc but wondering what to expect from him behaviour wise? What are people’s experience and when he gets back to ride. What should we expect at first?

 

[sbloom]

I have an issue with many rehab programmes, sorry! I would look seriously into proper postural rehab. This didn't just happen - some horses are born more prone to it (genetic, birth trauma) but mostly it's because of the way they've been moving, which is entirely changeable. If we don't change the way they move then they will stress another part of the body. And to add to it there are people selling themselves as KS specialists with books, clinics etc but their work causes other issues.

So, where to start? I would suggest having a look at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1057026028680817. The best things we can learn are what correct posture and movement look like, and then observation and handling skills with our horse - feel, observation, timing etc. If we inject, rest and then fitten I think it's not doing the job we owe our horses.

If you get it right then you'll get on later than the vet might say (and not saying to cut the vet out, not at all, but use them for their lameness diagnosis, for checking in on how he's progressing) then you'll face no issues, because you'll have changed the way he moves and prepared him to carry a rider properly. You shouldn't be worrying much about what might happen when you get on because of all the stages you've worked through, and how he looks and moves.

Some good stuff here https://www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/training-hub-courses and https://encompassequinesolutions.com/movement-myths/, plus this group should be interesting (run by a customer of mine who's a former vet and now rider biomechanics specialist) https://www.facebook.com/groups/24413345648308807. Many of the groups show horses working in tension, exercises that just tire horses out. It's a minefield as we're only just starting to learn truly about how these things happen and how we can prevent them happening again, so there's lots of disagreement, as with all things equestrian!

I would also really be clear about how much box rest is absolutely necessary, posture suffers with rest so you'll just have even more work to do.

 

[Tingo]

I have an issue with many rehab programmes, sorry! I would look seriously into proper postural rehab. This didn't just happen - some horses are born more prone to it (genetic, birth trauma) but mostly it's because of the way they've been moving, which is entirely changeable. If we don't change the way they move then they will stress another part of the body. And to add to it there are people selling themselves as KS specialists with books, clinics etc but their work causes other issues.

So, where to start? I would suggest having a look at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1057026028680817. The best things we can learn are what correct posture and movement look like, and then observation and handling skills with our horse - feel, observation, timing etc. If we inject, rest and then fitten I think it's not doing the job we owe our horses.

If you get it right then you'll get on later than the vet might say (and not saying to cut the vet out, not at all, but use them for their lameness diagnosis, for checking in on how he's progressing) then you'll face no issues, because you'll have changed the way he moves and prepared him to carry a rider properly. You shouldn't be worrying much about what might happen when you get on because of all the stages you've worked through, and how he looks and moves.

Some good stuff here https://www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/training-hub-courses and https://encompassequinesolutions.com/movement-myths/, plus this group should be interesting (run by a customer of mine who's a former vet and now rider biomechanics specialist) https://www.facebook.com/groups/24413345648308807. Many of the groups show horses working in tension, exercises that just tire horses out. It's a minefield as we're only just starting to learn truly about how these things happen and how we can prevent them happening again, so there's lots of disagreement, as with all things equestrian!

I would also really be clear about how much box rest is absolutely necessary, posture suffers with rest so you'll just have even more work to do.

Thank you for this really helpful and reassuring too. He has 2 weeks box rest and then Small paddock before the. Larger space. For the reasons you state. Just needs to be in first so wounds heal first but vet keen to limit this period so he does use his muscles asap. Will look at the links and focus on position and strength.

 

[sbloom]

Fab, just bear in mind that racehorses are strong (and fit of course) but are moving in dysfunction almost by definition, so strength, true strength to carry a rider, can only come with correct posture/bearing/movement patterns. "Compensatory movement patterns" is the correct term for the dysfunction and may yield results searching on FB/Google.

 

[rextherobber]

If he's not being very reactive, why not try injections and inhand rehab before surgery? Not having a dig, genuinely curious

 

[Tingo]

If he's not being very reactive, why not try injections and inhand rehab before surgery? Not having a dig, genuinely curious

Don’t mind the question. We did consider it but vet felt there’s too much damage there the injections would most likely be ineffective and we’d end up at surgery. Speaking to a few friends also heard varying successes. Couple of trainers I know have successfully rehabbed after surgery.

He hasn’t been very reactive but has been reactive. Small bucks were getting to bigger bucks and more anxious, more ‘arguments’ fling in hand work, so we eased off rather than trying to push him through as it felt like a pain issue rather than behavioural. By doing that he’s been good on hacks and some light schooling with little reactivity although definitely a little grumpy on the ground at times! But he’s is a middle aged man with a sore back so he’s allowed to be.

 

[HopOnTrot]

My mare had KS surgery last year, we initially tried Meso therapy which worked brilliantly for 6+5 months, re-X-ray slowed further changes and her behaviour (spooking and bucking in lessons) had returned. 3 days before the insurance expired she had 4x DLS under standing sedation.

We scrapped the vets rehab plan (no 20 year old needs that much lunging!) and we have rehabbed slowly with lots of physio help. I’m in no rush to get on but hoping to ride again later this month (hocks also being treated for arthritis this week).

 

[Tingo]

My mare had KS surgery last year, we initially tried Meso therapy which worked brilliantly for 6+5 months, re-X-ray slowed further changes and her behaviour (spooking and bucking in lessons) had returned. 3 days before the insurance expired she had 4x DLS under standing sedation.

We scrapped the vets rehab plan (no 20 year old needs that much lunging!) and we have rehabbed slowly with lots of physio help. I’m in no rush to get on but hoping to ride again later this month (hocks also being treated for arthritis this week).

Sorry to hear you’e gone through this. My insurance is questionable so I’ve had to go ahead and hope they will pay.

Interesting to hear your approach, will have out plan tomorrow when he comes home. Agree in lunging though, our boy is about to turn 17. Useful to see confirmation and let off a little steam but I’m not sure he’ll love going around in circles too much! We’ll mix it up. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

 

[sbloom]

This popped up on my feed just now

https://www.facebook.com/denaliequine/posts/pfbid0F4F6KsqLhjJ4cq1SJrjuxr2Upvu1yUHKbBfgu8vGym1xpGLSsvjT47ZW5hHdmYmol

, best to be forwarned.