Kissing Spines

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MegaBeast

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Those who've had horses with KS what symptoms did they exhibit, and for how long before you had them investigated? And were the symptoms intermittent?

Thanks
 
Hello, Bought a horse who might have 'kissing spines'. Can anybody advise. Have bought a horse from a dealer who said that the horse was 110% and that it would not and rear, only to find out the absolute worst scenio. It bronks and completely rears vertically. The horse was vetted and the vet said that the horse had a back problem, and warned me that it might rear. After the horrendous incident of the horse bronking acoss a field with me and rearing with an even more experienced rider, i asked to return the horse to the dealer. I had told the dealer that i had lost my confidence and needed a horse to help restore my trust. How ironic that it did both of my worst fear. The dealer will not allow me to return the horse and return my money. I have fought for my rights for 9 months, and my hearing in the small claims court was going to be in 2 weeks time. The dealer is now claiming poverty and has asked the court for a 'trial before the hearin g'. I spoke to a previous owner about the horse, and they confirmed that the horse is 'Tizzy' and unable to cope in certian situtations, and that she could not get on with the horse, and only had it two months. The person who was more experienced than me actually said that there was certianly no way she would describe the horse as a 'novice ride' or a 'ride suitable for novices!!. Can anybody give me advise if they have been through the same situation. I have a witness to what was said before we purchased the horse, and two to the incident. I would really appreicate some advise:) Thanks Moonfrost.
 
Started to get a bit nappy,unwilling to go forward into the bit.When you watched him working he couldn't track up.Unsafe to jump as he would get to break neck speed to throw himself over a small crosspole. He just wasn't the horse I bought.
A trip to Willersley and they diagnosed 3 processes impinging within the 1hr.He was operated on and he came back into work really well.
ets: Gave him the benfit of the doubt in the beginning as I thought it was just me.Discussed it with my instructor, as she had taken to schooling him for me and we decided that it needed looking at.So maybe a couple of months before I took him to the vets.
 
I bred my horse and when I came to back him he was extremely 'hot' to get on, initially I was told by all and sundry he was just a brat. Having managed to back him he refused to go forward happily and would nap quite badly, this culminated once as him lifting his head and napping so badly he smacked me directly in the head and then he took to broncing violently until I came of and this resulted in me fracturing my spine! All this happened over about three months. A professional told me to shoot him but that was not going to happen.
He went to Bell Equine for scintigraphy, x-rays and nerve blocks and when I saw the x-rays I was horrified, I'm amazed he ever let me get on him at all. The four vertebrae were rubbing together so much there were tiny pieces of bone that had been rubbed off.
He had the op to remove the top of two of his vertebrae which were situated right under the saddle.
I can't say the whole experience has been a positive one as he had masses of psycholgical problems and it has been a work in progress. I lost my nerve in a big way but little by little all has started to improve and he now works in a beautiful outline and as opposed to not wanting to go forward he now won't stop cantering and is clearly enjoying himself.
When I look at photos of him as a 3-4 year old its obvious he had very little muscle tone in his back end where as now he is a powerhouse.
I've heard various experiences on here, some have not had the op and improved, some have had the op and never improved, some have had the op and gone onto full recovery. I classify my story as in the last group but its taken a very long time and a lot of patience and understanding.
 
Mine was just not improving his technique sj even after serious amounts of gridwork - wasn't basculing over the fences. That was the only sign for months, then he started having odd days of being in a complete strop, fidgeting, lifting up his back legs when you touched him, then he'd be fine again for a few weeks...it was only when he had these flare ups about 4 times that we thought about getting vet out. he had always had regular physio but this didnt seem to be keeping his back happy alone. Vet suspected KS straight away - xrays confirmed every vertebrae from withers to sacrum had some degree of boney change, with all lumbar vertebrae impinging. Poor sod never once bucked me off, bless him. Didnt have the op as wouldn't have known where to start, horse really not a candidate for box rest (literally canters around stable boxwalking) also horse has likely had problem for a long time therefore unlikely even if pain removed that he would ever jump to the level he was bought for again. Looking at him now, he drags both hind toes and places his hind feet almost on one track under himself (like a model walks!), he has started tripping, and now kicks out frequently...we are trying to claim loss of use but it is proving very difficult.
The sad thing is that when i had him vetted the vet queried his back as the muscles were a bit tight, but it was put down to the fact that he'd had winter off then been bought back into work quickly to sell him. So he has had this problem for over 2 years, but only in the last 8 months has shown obvious signs of discomfort.
 
Mine started bucking when asked for canter and never really worked softly through his back although he could still pull off a good dressage test when he occasionally relaxed. Originally thought it was just behaviour problems as it was intermittent until it got progressively worse and became upset when the saddle went on, yet would still hack out fine. It was only when schooling him the problems would arise, he would nap and buck.

He had 4 processes removed by Sven in July and has fully recovered to become a much more forward horse with fantastic paces. I would say he is still a handful now though as he can move, buck and twist much better than before. He was a little fearful at first with the schooling and remembered the problems but is gradually getting over them with every session he has.

Hoping to get competing again this spring once I can get some hard work into him.
 
my mare was safe to ride, but was just struggling with a contact....then in the last dressage test her free walk was awful she could step through...so got back checked/new saddle/teeth....still no better....by this stage id rested her...she lost weight through stress and then her canter fell apart was horrible couldnt collect etc. and she didnt want to go forward... so got her back xrayed and boom 7 processes touching....injections didnt work (wasted my time)

operated and she is fantastic!
smile.gif
now just need this snow to go!

I would say xray back...it doesnt cost much and the vets can bring the machines to the yard!
 
Napping, wouldnt do a full circle without stopping to nap, jumping hollow, shortened stride in trot, inability to sit to the canter properly . Poor muscle and a back bone that sticks out.

Please be carefull tho because the Kissing spine prognosis is being given here there and everywhere these days- as much as 80% of horses will show kissing spineon at least 3/4 vertebrate on their xrays but a much fewer number will actually have true kssing spine which is the cause of all symptoms- when actually its something else that is causing all the symptoms.

Check teeth, check foot balance, saddles and have a good physio check over *with good people that have a good rep* before going down the KS route.
 
Thanks all.

O_B I don;t really think KS is the problem, but she has a few of the "classic" symptoms (intermittently) so wanted to know what other peoples experiences have been. Will be exploring other avenues first.
 
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