kissing spine's

[1964]

Hi every one im new to this.
I've been reading up on the kissing spines as the vet thinks my horse may have this, he has put him on bute for 2 weeks first which finishes on wednesday, he is then coming to visit him 3 days after that to see how he is.
The thing is some people seem to still be able to ride there horse's mine i cant even tack up. But what i wanted to know did any one notice any behavoural changes in there horse with KS. ive had problems geting close to my horse, and im beginning to get really worried about it.
If he ends up with KS i will go for the operation for him as he is to young to just retire, but im really worried about the after care as to wether i could cope with it, but then again i do have good support at the riding stables where i keep my horse on livery.
Would be greatful to hear form any one who's horse had any behavoural problems with this KS or is it just mine may be just being touchy.
My horse by the way is Oz who is 8yrs old and an ex race horse, ive had him since june last year and was going really well untill 2wks ago. look forward to hearing from any one

 

[louise1967]

My horse had kissing spine. When I bought her she was cold backed and she got pregressively worse. To the point where a rug was a chore to put on, tacking up was a nightmare, mounting she would nearly collapse, but after a 10 min warm up she seemed to be ok. I eventually callled the vet, who told me it was bad news straight away and wanted her to have an xray. Anyway x-ray confirmed that she had KS and her spine was touching in 2 places, I was offered to send her to a back clinic in Glos, where they put her on a strict fitness programme to push her spine back up and out, she was away for a month and came back perfect, I done the Badminton ride the 1st weekend back. The only thing was for the rest of her riding days I would have to stick to a strict fitness programme including lunging twice a week in draw reins, riding in an outline always and never having more that one or two days off at a time. That was the only down side.

 

[1964]

Thanks for the reply, i cant even get any tack on him.
I wasn't aware that this can be fixed with work, thought it was only fixed with the operation and the after care for that seems really hard going.
I find it all very worrying

 

[louise1967]

I had to give my horse to rest home, because of personal circumstances and couldn't keep up the strict fitness regime. Very sad I did as she could have gone on for years, but it became very difficult to follow it.
I could tack her up, but she would bite, kick and nearly collapse when I would mount and I was only 8 1/2 stone. But riding wasnt too bad, yet even rugging up was difficult or even running your hand along her back bone.
Get an x-ray at least then you will know. Then decide which road to go down.

 

[Caritas]

I had my horse operated on and have never looked back. I was advised by vet to work him in the pessoa once a week but i now never lunge him and we are competing dressage and training at an advanced level. See Sig...

 

[1964]

thanks for your reply's, have the vet coming out again at the end of the week and im going to ask for the x-rays as he is no better if anything he is worse even though he is on bute.
But will keep you posted on what happens thanks every one

 

[1964]

thanks for your reply and so glad that all is going well with your horse.
if it comes to that he needs the operation then he will have it, as he is so young and i love him but just worried about the after care but with the help of my friend who owns the yard where i keep him, and she has got a good bond with him i think we will manage

 

[BethH]

Behavioural issues is a key factor with KS. Mine had severe behavioural issues especially rearing and broncing which came out of nowhere and then also deteriorated to a lot of in hand issues, i.e., rearing being led to the field etc. I have put long long posts on here explaining the whole thing lif you are able to look up my posts last june/july. My ned went through op 1 yr ago. Behavioural problems have pretty much disappeared and he is being worked 5 days a week and is back to being my sweet little ned with the odd bad day. If you go down this route, make sure you have the time to do the rehab as I planned my op 6 mths in advance so would have summer evenings etc to help and could get time off work etc. The rehab is as important as op and is your best chance of your horse making a good recovery. Good luck.

 

[1964]

BethH thasnks so much for your reply its so good to her what other people have gone through. Have the vet coming out agin friday so will know more with whats going to happen next, x-rays hopefully
Many thanks to every one

 

[debradley]

Hi don't know if you're still watching this post but my mare was diagnosed last week with KS and goes in for her op on monday. How did your diagnosis go?