Kissing Spines Operations

[harrietadams]

Having had a diagnosis of kissing spines in my event horse earlier this year, we have adminstered 2 lots of injections which have made a massive difference and enabled us to really work him and build up a lot of muscle over his back.

However, we feel due to the horrific images on the xrays, that he needs to be operated on before next year.

I was wondering if anybody had any experience of this - ie. where you had them operated on, recovery time, success, etc.

Thank you!

 

[Wagtail]

My horse had the op to remove five spinous processes at Rossdales. However, in his case, the injections made no difference to him. The op went without a hitch and the rehab was very easy. Sadly, however, my horse has returned to his old explosive reactions to being girthed and is therefore unridable. Obviously the problem was not really his back despite it being so bad. If your boy improved with the injections, then I think you have a very good chance of a complete recovery. My boy obviously has other issues going on.

 

[Lozza12]

My mare had three vertebrae operated on a Rossdales, they were badly impinged and she was un-rideable. Unfortunately she is still un-rideable. The operation went well and physically she healed up with no problems. She still reacts as if in pain when that area is manipulated so she either has something else going on (which the vets have said they may not be able to see as they can only x-ray/scan so deep) or it is psychological. It is possible that with this horse there has always been something additional going on and I would agree with Wagtail that if your horse improved on the injections then it is likely the operation will have a more positive outcome for you. The only thing I will say is that since the operation she has started head shaking and at times this can be so severe she can't be turned out - but obviously I can't say the operation caused this as it may just be coincidental.

 

[cavana13]

Hi I think each case is very different, and depending on the horse. My horse had the kissing spine op beginning of march this year, and I am back on board, and I can see a difference, my instructor cannot believe that my mare only had the op few months back, it is an emotional roller coaster due too "are you doing the right thing" I am glad I did and my mare is 17 years, she is not perfect because she also has artiritis in her hocks but she took the op all in her stride. My was in leahurst and they where brill with her and all the training staff.

I hope it helps

 

[BethH]

Hi my horse had the op 6 yrs ago a couple of months before his 7th birthday, he was back being ridden after 14wks and is still doing very well. Being a sensitive soul, he became incredibly dangerous in every respect, on the ground, being ridden, even just walking him to turnout in his field, if a bird flew out the tree his front legs would be above my head in a milli-second!

I found the palliative route didnt work for him at all despite my best efforts and it was a choice of operate or PTS. It was an agonizing decision and is a rollercoater of emotion as you will have many good days but when you have a bad day and you will, it seems like the end of the world. However I truly believe if your horse is a good candidate i.e., is young, has no other issues and is reasonalby fit before surgery and you can commit to a proper rehab by taking your time and ensuring the basics are done properly, then IMHO, the operation is the only real cure, the palliative route will keep them ticking over but the back does continue to deteriorate so in a few years time it is possible you will have revisit the option of an operation to resolve the problem in any case. There are also now many ways of carrying out surgery including standing surgery and on this forum there was a discussion about new method of just cutting the ligaments to allow the bones to open up. Not sure how this works long term, but apparently there have been good results??????

I have no regrets about operating, there are many successful cases out there but some don't work out obviously. My horse will always have the memory of the pain which means he get scared easily and will never be a novice ride, but he now hacks alone (not his favourite thing but he does it!) which was unheard of pre op and he is very capable of a good novice dressage test. We have also starting him jumping and he is flying over small jumps 2ft 6 ish at the moment without batting an eyelid so i think that's not bad for a horse that couldn't even walk properly pre op. I went to Svend Kold at Willersley, her is brilliant and the care was superb, can happily recommend them as being very professional, I personally believe they are the best although obviously my experience was 6yrs ago, but my horse is still working 5 days a week!