Kissing spine

[Nicnackpaddywack]

I’m in need or some advice. I’m looking for a happy hacker and I’ve been offered a horse that had successful surgery in January this year. Not wanting to compete or heavily school. Should I buy her? What’s everyone’s thoughts?
She’s ride 2/3 times a week at the moment?

 

[Bellaboo18]

I wouldn't!
6 months is no time at all to claim the surgery/rehab was successful. Did they also X-ray hocks etc? Kissing spine is normally secondary to something else.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

No I wouldn't buy a horse that has had surgery for kissing spine.

 

[vhf]

I'd want to hear the rehab programme she's followed/following (six months isn't long), see the vet reports, find out what other investigations had taken place and understand the symptoms that led to the original diagnosis. See her after regularly dong the amount of work I expected her to do with me, not rely on 'when she's fitter she'll be able to...'. If it's your first horse, there may be safer (emotionally and financially) options to consider. If you're going in with experience and eyes open... many do come back to a successful post KS diagnosis career.

 

[ihatework]

No I wouldn’t 6 months post surgery.
To be honest, the horse would barely be back under saddle at this stage with a correct rehab program.

If it were 18 months down the line and the horse would pass a vet I’d be more open to considering it.

 

[Goldenstar]

Yes I would consider it
But I enjoy schooling and development work and horses who have had KS surgery do need ongoing work
You also need to consider the ongoing cost of managing the horse and if you have the resources to cover it .

 

[HopOnTrot]

You won’t be able to just hack her, light work won’t keep her back strong and could have the opposite effect. My mare had KS surgery in October, back on in March, we do hack but we also have to do lots of other stuff around that to keep her back muscled and safe.

One session of water treadmill a week
One short hack using resistance bands
Longer hack, followed by 20 minutes of NEMS, and tail tucks. Carrot stretches 3-4 times a week. Any time off needs to basically start rehab again. Not to mentioned needing to medicate her hocks to make sure she’s stepping under properly.

I did it because she’s mine, I’ve owned her a long time and if it doesn’t work she will just retire here. I had nothing to lose. I wouldn’t take on a horse with it.