Kissing spines... please read... in need of an opinion!

[elliew92]

Heyaa Guys

we've recently acquired (on loan) a very well bred 6yr old warmblood broodmare. The owner imported her from Holland and payed an absolute fortune for her. Yet she has found that she has kissing spines. We have been told that it is from an injury as a foal and that it is not hereditary (this makes her an insurance write-off). However, I would have thought someone would have picked up on this injury?!? as she was ridden and competed successfully for 2 years. The owner has had a vetinary opinion and her vet has said that the operation would not work, however when we had her swabbed, our vet was very keen for her to have the operation. The owner is now selling her to us for a very cheap price! and we are considering having the operation done. We would just like to know: Roughly how much will the op cost?
roughly how long it will be before she can come back into work? and any past experiences on the topic. Just to clarify we want to give her a chance as she is only a 6yr old and after witnessing her jumping out of her feild (5ft6 fence) we are more than willing to pay for her op and also that we are buying her regardless of whether or not she can have the op. Sorry about the essay! Thanks guys! xx

 

[spaniel]

Have you actually seen the scans and discused them at length with your own vet?

To be honest from an outsiders point of view it sounds as though the owner just wants to make a bit of cash and pass the potentially huge bill and problem onto someone else.

Personally Id politely decline their offer to sell to you.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I'd echo spaniel. This sounds a very expensive gamble hun. What do you mean when you say you had her swabbed? Don't understand where that fits in?

It's a bit odd in my mind that 2 vets can be at total odds over treatment. I've never (thank god) had a horse with kissing spines but I'm pretty certain I've read both good and bad outcomes from the operation. To re-phrase that, you could pay a vast amount of money for the surgery and end up with a horse that still can't be ridden. Or worse. Take care, there honestly is no such thing as a free lunch in this world x

 

[HollyP]

Hi

Talk to Svend Kold at willesley vets, he is the best, lovely man too! the operation wasnt as pricey as id thought, cost just under 3k and then obviously you have to add on xrays, vets fees if there are complications (my mare kindly got an infection or an allergic reaction to the antibiotics) .... if it is operable it is well worth doing it especially if you have the money, but make sure you have the time to stick to the rehab....!

any more info please email me....your horse is only 6 if you can operate i would!! my mare is 16 and people told me not to bother but what do they know!

 

[Caritas]

My horse has had an operation by Svend Kold also but obviously different cases require different treatment. Depends how many processes need doing as to how expensive it is. My horse was operated on 10 years ago so prices and rehab maybe slightly different now. Speak to your vet on cost and rehab, any questions do pm me, good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[Birker2020]

I'm sorry but I can't for the life of me understand why you want to buy a mare with kissing spine! Because she cost a fortune from abroad (alledgedly), or because you saw her jumped out of a field?? Most horses of a decent height (presuming she is over 16hh) would jump that height. Add a rider, saddle and bridle and an up to height 5ft 6" course of show jumps and the outcome would/could be totally different. My horse was put down for wobblers at the age of ten. It wasn't treatable and in his worse state he was extremely ataxic and almost falling over. In his best state he was jumping discovery height clear. He jumped a clear round at an unaffiliated show a month before he died (before being diagnosed I hasten to add). Some horses are extremely stoic and will put up with anything. I think you are mad to contemplate buying this mare, but that is my opinion, and I would have done anything humanly possible to save Rommy, but that was different, because I'd had him over 2.5 years at that stage. Mild KS can be treated without an op, but as my knowledge of this is very limited I woudl ask a vet for more info. If you wish to buy a WB that would cost a bomb over here I know of a dealer who got me my present Dutch WB, and he will take you over to meet his contact in Holland and you can try lots of horses in a day and then buy one for about a third to half the price you would pay over here. x

 

[BethH]

Hi, my horse had this op carried out 3yrs ago by Svend Kold at Willesley and is doing well, we rebacked him after the op as a 6yr old and i have been told by my instructor that he has the ability to get to med adv in dressage (with a decent rider - probably not me I hasten to add!) he has also been given the all clear to jump, for me this is amazing considering he is not really built to be a dressage horse and that he was nearly PTS with behavioural issues.

I did however carry out his rehab slowly and thoroughly and was happy to take my time to get his back really strong before I asked too much of him, he is part of the family and I arranged for the operation so that he could live pain free and the chance of riding him was a secondary consideration, however I am delighted to say he copes very well being ridden 5 days a week!

This op is not an easy solution and the rehab is hardwork but if you are prepared to put the effort in, can be immensely rewarding. If you are serious about owning the mare and choosing to have this op, that is your choice and no one elses to make, I would suggest you accept that there are some risks of the op not being successful enough to achieve what you are hoping for and if you can accept that, then get back x-rays referred to Svend for his opinion. He will be honest and tell you whether he believes it is worthwhile to proceed. Hope that makes sense!

May I wish you the best of luck with your decision and regardless of whether you go ahead, I hope you get to enjoy your horse.