spinal arthritis - info/experiences please

[cob&onion]

Has anyone any experience of this? i have posted about it in the past but there seems to be limited info about it? just a bit of a bump up for newer members or those who didn't see my last posts a while back

Basically TB mare, 6 yr old was diagnosed with spinal arthritis in June via x ray, there where significant bony changes going on and although the spine wasnt overlapping/kissing they where very close together.
I made the decision to turn her away, (prior to the xray she had 2 months off) symptoms where a tight/very sore area where the back of the saddle sits on one side - vet says this muscle was a secondary symptom to the arthritis. Not wanting to go into a contact/work correctly over her back - very resistant. Other than that she was happy to hack out, jump with alot of enthusiasm, and do everything other than work in an outline. She also used to get very stiff if she wasn't kept in work - in the hocks (prob bone spavins?) but this wasn't really an issue so long as she was kept in work it would disappear.
So she has been out of work 9 months now and has been turned out 24/7. She has coped well and is noticeably moving better too, not stiff, so living out is probably a better choice for her.
I no longer get a reaction when i touch her back and she seems a whole lot better.
I spoke to my vet and she wants me to bring her back into work (after a through check of course) and suggests she should be fine so long as i don't push her schooling wise. So with this in mind am thinking after christmas (weather dependent). Vet would like to try injections.
Now after reading through a few posts here a few suggestions have been made as to keep these horses in work and its vital that they work through from behind correctly to strengthen and support the spine?
So basically am after peoples opinions/advice who have had experience/knowledge on the subject. Also it will be vital that she has a saddle that is well fitting considering her history, so info about saddles for horses with these types of problems would be good too.
Thanks for taking the time to read

 

[cob&onion]

anyone?

 

[Tegan]

Hi

I don't know whether it is the same thing but my cob has Articular Facet Arthropathy which is osteoarthritis of the vertebrae. He was diagnosed by a bone scan at Liphook and it effects three vertebrae just behind his withers.

He had had quite a bit of time off before being diagnosed but once diagnosed he had Tildren and then 3 months field rest followed by 2 months long reining and then 2 months hacking before gradually being brought back into full work. He also had physio, Synequin and a magnetic rug.

It has been 3 years since he was diagnosed and he is in full work including affiliated dressage (Novice but hope to move upto Elementary at some point) and still jumps up to 3ft. He is 15 now and still on the Synequin. He lives out in the summer but comes in at night in the winter as he doesn't like being out in bad weather. It is very important that he is kept in work so he is ridden 6 days a week (there are two of us sharing him which makes this managable).

We feel very lucky as the specialist at Liphook said that some horses cannot tolerate a saddle whilst others can go back to full work. We were also lucky that he is insured for vets fees as the investigations and treatment have come to about £4.5k (NFU have been excellent.) Interestingly the first diagnosis we had was hock spavin (from xrays) but once he went to Liphook it was found that the changes in his hocks were normal for a horse of his age and type.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions please let me know.

Tegan

 

[Wagtail]

My horse has just been operated on for kissing spines. Five were removed under standing sedation. He has been on box rest for two weeks and seems very comfortable. The injections had no effect on him but I think it was because his condition was so severe. We have another horse with very mild kissing spines here too. His were only just touching in a couple of places. He had two lots of injections (his last ones were two years ago) and with correct schooling and lunging long and low, he has remained in full work and his back is no longer sore.

 

[loopylucifer]

I think you are talking about the spinal processes rather than spinal arthritis?
if spinal processes haven't had another one that has arthritis of the processes as such but did have one with changes to the processces and they were degenerating the prognosis was poor for him and he was PTS.

If you are talking about Fact joint arthritis then I have had two with it one has done very well had lots of physio joint medication and tildren and is back in full work and doing well.
The other had joint meds but never really significantly improved and has since done both hind suspensorys so is sitting in the field as a pet!

 

[Cluny]

I very sadly had my ten year WB PTS a few weeks ago due to arthritis in his C5 and C6 (neck). There was calcification and bony growths and impingement on the spinal cord which resulted in high grade Wobblers. We believe that he had arthritis in his neck for a while, but that it had degenerated quickly over his last few months.

I truly hope that you don't have to go through this with your horse, it's horrible to see.