Kissing Spines.. is there anything else I can do?

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ChestnutHunter

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My horse was diagnosed with kissing spines a few months ago after unsuccessful physio following a shocking change in her behavior! So far shes had cortizone injections which don't really seem to have done much in her favor, but the vet reccomends she has shockwave treatment. She had her first session on thursday and is to have one a week on the next 2 thursdays. She has been on field rest since January, but I'm stuck in a routine of going up to check on her and saying hello, and feel like I could be doing alot more to make her more comfortable! :(
 
Sorry to hear about your mare.

What has the vet said regarding working your mare? As far as i am aware with KS it is of vital importance that the back muscles are kept strong so i am surprised that she has been out of work for so long.
 
The shockwave treatment did wonders for my mums tb mare along with being armed in a Pessoa to strengthen and muscle up the back muscles. Every other vertebrae in her spine is kissing. She has her back checked every three months and has been fine ever since.
 
Poor you, it is a shame the physio didn't work.

Long reining could help as well as the Pessoa.

Isn't there surgery that can be done? Would you consider it? Has the vet suggested it?
 
The vets have told me not to work her and to keep her on field rest.
There are 4 vertebrae touching and one of them is quite badly worn away, almost like an upside down L shape that is sticking into the other, the other 3 are just touching.
However I think that if the treatment is successful over the next few weeks he wants me to start working her again, probably on the pessoa!

Yes have considered surgery, but sadly if this treatment does not work we do not think we will be able to afford it. Horse is insured for £5000, but because we have been trying to treat it for so long we have used over half of the amount they will pay out, and this treatment hasn't finished yet...The surgery with the physio afterwards will be too expensive we suspect which is why I have my fingers crossed for the next few weeks!
 
highly recommend you opting for suregery, they dont actually need much physio afterwards. One lady tried to con me saying she needed 3 sessions a week for over a month....not the case my physio did 3 sessions over 2 months and she was fine!

Defo look into surgery sounds like your vets are wasting the insurance money in short term solutions!
 
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