Kissing Spines

M

moneypit1

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 January 2007
Messages
2,246
Location
North Devon
Visit site
Ok, need some info. Someone I know bought a horse 3 mths ago after a 5 stage vetting (which it passed). First two months were fine, horse hacking out and being schooled. Then, out of the blue bucked rider off. Had back lady out and she said all ok. Person too scared to get back on so got experienced friend to ride the horse a week or so later. The horse bucked and bucked until the rider was unseated (immediately she mounted). My question is, would kissing spines be detected from a vetting or by a horse chiro? I always thought it took x-rays to diagnose. The horse moves beautifully on the lunge, is fine being tacked up etc. I think it is pain related. Any views or experiences shared more than welcome!
 
Kissing Spine, should be picked up on a 5 stage vetting, but have known it too be missed as some horses can be totally sound and not bothered by KS as they have a high pain threshold but as time goes on and muscle changes it can then be a problem. It could be an ill fitting saddle that hurts when weight is put on it, it could be that the horse has put a sacriollac out or something else.

I would suggest that you get your vet out and get him to go over the horse with a fine toothcomb. A lot of vets these days work hand in hand with an approved phsio and Chiropractitioner.

We had a horse with KS on my yard and it was picked up by me and the vet came and confirmed it, the horse had the operation and was back being ridden within 6 months and was a totally different horse, he reacted badly like your friends horse but only when he was on uneven ground or on a very tight circle.

We are very lucky at our vets as we have a lameness specialist who we go to with problems like this.

Good luck.
 
My horse has kissing spine. There were times when she would have passed a 5 stage vetting so no, it can't necessarily be even suspected during a vetting. Ditto chiro. The only way to diagnose for certain is with xray, but there would need to be some reason to suspect a problem first.
 
My horse has very close vertebrae which aren't kissing, but when he was lame he also became very sore in his back as he has more limited movement than he should have. The vet didn't notice it; the chiro picked up on where the soreness was, but it then took x-rays to actually see what was the problem. I don't think the vets would actually have found what was wrong without her guidance. However as you have a suspicion that this is the problem, you might as well
get the back x-rayed.
 
No it cannot necessarily be detected by a vetting - my last horse was vetted (and passed) shortly before I bought him and his story was very, very similar to your friends horse. He was ok to ride for a few months, maybe a bit weird about being tacked up, but he was from a dealing yard and very nervy anyway. It took me months to persuade the vet to xray his back, the physio didnt spot it either as he also had suspensory problems so that was where her diagnosis ended.
 
Mine was the same. 5 stage vetting 4 months down the line he started throwing himself over jumps, napping not wanting to go forwards etc etc
I think unlikely to be picked up on a vetting unless the problem is already well established.
My horse was vetted by one of the Willersley vets and they are reknowned for the pioneering work on Kissing Spines.
If they didn't pick up on it unlikely anyone else would.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top