Kissing spines- alternatives

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poiuytrewq

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My horse has presented with a very sore back. Ive had him 6 years and his back has always been slightly not great. I had it checked and treated every 6 months by a succession of qualified back ladies over the years dependant on what yard I was on and sometimes who had a brilliant recommendation etc.

I then started using a different lady, a friend who I trust and value her opinion. This particular horse she's not done before as he'd had a while off work and been on loan previous to this time off.
She came out to him and said he was too sore to continue- It was spinal pain not muscular (apologies if I get anything wrong here!) She said she'd be very unhappy to work on an animal in that amount of pain. I was shocked as he's been ok to groom and was back in very light work and id thought all was going ok.
I used to know when the 6 months between checks was coming up roughly as he'd start letting me know he was sore.
She (back lady) came back the following week to see if the work she'd done had helped at all and if it had would continue down his spine. It didn't so he's booked in for x rays tomorrow.
I wonder what if its not KS could be wrong here? Is there a simple easy explanation?
Probably clutching at straws?
 
Could be anything, and KS is the new navicular...... ie. anything with a sore back has KS!

But it could be poorly fitting saddle, you the rider, forelimb bilateral lameness, hock issues etc.

Did your vet do a through examination and lameness workup prior to referring for x-rays??
 
No TBH the vet's not even seen him yet. There is no where at my place we could trot him up other than the road outside and he looks perfectly sound to me. He's not tracking up quite but not lame as far as I can see or my friend who also looked.
I spoke to and explained on the phone and my back lady also spoke to the vet and we just decided easier to take him down there.- Especially as its only 10 minutes away and they have all the facilities.
 
Sorry missed the saddle bit. I'm pretty sure its ok. It was fitted for him admittedly a few years back but its a TG High wither adjustable and has been checked when he started being ridden again and had a reflock and new gullet bar fitted.
 
poiuytrewq said:
No TBH the vet's not even seen him yet. There is no where at my place we could trot him up other than the road outside and he looks perfectly sound to me. He's not tracking up quite but not lame as far as I can see or my friend who also looked.
I spoke to and explained on the phone and my back lady also spoke to the vet and we just decided easier to take him down there.- Especially as its only 10 minutes away and they have all the facilities.
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My horse suffered with a bad back for 18 months before being finally diagnosed (after I ditched the back lady and got the vet). Sound as a pound, until nerve blocked, then lame as a bugger. Fixed the feet - fixed the back.

Good luck with the workup tomorrow.
 
Oh really? Interesting Thank you.
I know whilst on loan he had an injury flare up of some sort to his fetlock (hind). Wonder if this could be anything to do with it?
Im actually quite impressed with this back lady due to the fact she told me she couldn't do anything more for him until cleared by the vet (and didn't charge- I did give her fuel money against her will)
Would I be able to speak to the treating vets whilst he was on loan? Not sure how confidentiality might come into play here?
 
I have a horse with KS and he trotted up fine for vet, and passed flexion tests etc. Vet said he looked perfect on the ground. His issues only arose when he was collected (even long lining) or if there was weight on his back.
 
I am beginning to wonder about KS. Apparently upto 70% of horses have some degree of KS, if this is so the majority dont have problems.It now seems that any back problem or lameness is put down to KS and then the vets get tunnel vision and look no further.
 
I have my mare back who we sold just over 4yrs ago now. She has kissing spines after having the back person out, her saddle changed and the back person who said she was still sore. Then the then owner had the Vet and she was sent straight to Horsepital. Xrays clearly show the spinal changes and closeness of the vertebrae. The person who I originally sold her to rode her incorrectly with her head up in the air and a hollow back thus causing the problem. Vet has said this. She then sold her on to a lovely lady but it was a bit too much for her and eerily we had got in touch with where she was liveried and the new owner got in touch. She has given her to me and she now lives out with my other mare which is better for her.

Been for a check up at Vets today after she had injections prior to me having her back, and they are pleased with her progress. Shes on danilon and Myoplast for muscle development and Ive been told to ride her as much as I can, long and low and plenty of hill work. We have to develop the muscles and get her strong in her back again. So far so good but only time will tell....surgery is a last resort but being as my Insurance doesnt cover her, her old owner is still paying her Insurance for now so she could go today for her check up, then I guess it will be retirement for her.
 
My mare had severe kissing spines and still passed flexion tests too by another back lady (I saw two and a vet). I don't know about 70% of horses having kissing spines but I was told by Leahurst (where she was diagnosed) that 70% of TBs have it these days as people keep breeding from them. Wish you luck with your boy
 
Kate88 said:
My mare had severe kissing spines and still passed flexion tests too by another back lady (I saw two and a vet). I don't know about 70% of horses having kissing spines but I was told by Leahurst (where she was diagnosed) that 70% of TBs have it these days as people keep breeding from them. Wish you luck with your boy
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Thank you, He is a TB and tends naturally to go quite hollow and carry his head high. ive really tried to bring it down but struggle with long and low with him. Im no dressage rider just a slightly rusty hacker! Makes it hard as I cant answer certain questions re collection etc....don't think he's ever collected! He just bounces like a giraffe :-/ shameful I feel bad!
 
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