Performance After Kissing Spine Standing Op? Before/After images

Chloe_GHE

Chloe_GHE

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My horse has just come back from the standing kissing spine operation. I've documented the full process with radiographs, before and after images, and a video of the op on my blog here for anyone looking for more info on the condition > http://www.gifthorseeventing.co.uk/2016/07/4594.html


I would like to hear from those who have had KS op done (particularly the standing bone removal option) to find out more about the level of performance their horse has managed to return to.

To give you some background Dustry was eventing at 80cms, dressage at Prelim (area festivals/winter champs etc). He has a few other issues that I need to take into account too when planning his return to ridden work but that is 10 months away.

What level was your horse at pre-op and what has it returned to?
Did you notice any changes/things you have to consider when competing post op?

I know anatomically he will be improved so logically he should be able to achieve the same if not more than before but then there is also the psychological impact to take into a/c eg pain memory etc

Any accounts of the return to comp would be much appreciated, and what you encountered would be great

Merci x
 
We didn't have the op - but had contributory issues so can relate from that perspective.

C came to me as a weak and very poor 4YO in the October of 2012. She blew her left fore DDFT in the January 2013 she was 5 in the field - and had a trip to Leahurst where we bone scanned and threw up impinging processes. The opted to leave it at the time as it didn't seem to affect her and address through physio.

She came back into work - but never felt quite right, which we put down to age, being poor and just needing to develop. Fast forward to 2015 (the year she was 7) and she was diagnosed with ongoing chronic bilateral PSD in the hinds - Vets suggested it'd been on going for a long time and she had the op in Oct 2014.

Started rehab Jan 2015 and she's been sound ever since except for us needing to inject SIJ March '15.

My physio felt confident that we could 'fix' impinging processes in the mid thoracic spine (off the top of my head T13-T18) using a lot of activity to strengthen the core and encourage the opening of processes without the need to surgically treat - and it seems to have worked!

She jumped round 80/90cm BSJA tracks as a 4YO clear and was capable of a babyish prelim test. She doesn't jump now (my choice, not her limitation) and we are competing Nov level dressage fairly successfully (UA - but she's capable of BD). Starting to school some of the elementary movements at home now.
 
Are you already on the facebook group? - if so you'll get plenty of input from various people there.

(Can't comment myself as my horse wasn't operated on but is eventing happily again without!)
 
No experience but was a great blog to read, very interesting and great photos to follow up :)
Might be worth putting Manuka honey on wounds and leaving uncovered, I'm a total convert to honey after seeing the results on Billy's wound :)
 
One of mine had the op December.
He's an advanced event horse but had. Not competed for a while before I bought him.
The rehab ( three sessions a day of in hand / lunging with pole work was straight forward we used no gadgets except the occasional session in a bungee
We gave him the supplement myoplast his muscle develpment was amazing to see .
He was going very well and the last time I rode him he felt great really pinging .
Sadly he broke a rib in the field so we are back at square one again dealing with that.
 
There is a lady on another forum I use whose horse had the op and is now back competing at Novice (if not intermediate actually, I can't remember) which is the same level as it was competing at beforehand, with lot's of success.

I will try and find it and forward the post to you.
 
Thank you. I am keeping the wound under a fly rug until all healed the flies are too bad in his field to give them the chance to get on the new skin.
Do you think the honey helped with hair regrowth?
 
Goldenstar said:
One of mine had the op December.
He's an advanced event horse but had. Not competed for a while before I bought him.
The rehab ( three sessions a day of in hand / lunging with pole work was straight forward we used no gadgets except the occasional session in a bungee
We gave him the supplement myoplast his muscle develpment was amazing to see .
He was going very well and the last time I rode him he felt great really pinging .
Sadly he broke a rib in the field so we are back at square one again dealing with that.
Click to expand...

That's very encouraging to hear. Have bought an equiami for when he starts lunging again, bit for now he's just chilling in the paddock. Have added extra protein to his feed to help him build up the muscle he lost in hospital
 
Girlracer said:
There is a lady on another forum I use whose horse had the op and is now back competing at Novice (if not intermediate actually, I can't remember) which is the same level as it was competing at beforehand, with lot's of success.

I will try and find it and forward the post to you.
Click to expand...

Brill that sounds fab! I love a good news story to keep me going whilst he has 10months off
 
Chloe_GHE said:
That's very encouraging to hear. Have bought an equiami for when he starts lunging again, bit for now he's just chilling in the paddock. Have added extra protein to his feed to help him build up the muscle he lost in hospital
Click to expand...

Have a look at L-Lysine, it's a supplement which helps build muscle and it won't break the bank either! By the way I actually love the ski-rug!
 
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