What should I do?

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Irishlady

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My horse has been with me for almost two months now and his bucking into canter is out of control. I've had the saddler out to make adjustments, and the osteopath says there's a lot of tension in his back. He says he can't rule out kissing spine without an X-ray. He said with constant exercises and osteopath visits he will be less tense and stop bucking, but I am really concerned about the kissing spine issue. He passed a 5-stage vetting where the vet noticed slight spasms on his back/top line but said he'd expect a lot more bucking with kissing spine. I've just had a conversation with a woman who knew the previous owner, who has said that the previous owner was advised to get X-rays but she didn't. I want to get the xrays for peace of mind but don't know if I'm overreacting. He is a very sound horse that just bucks into canter (and sometimes in trot) and the osteopath reckons it's just tension in his back, which will be eased through engaging his hindquarters a lot more. He recommended Passoa-ing him 3/4 times a week. I am just worried sick that I'm missing something glaringly obvious here. When I first got him, he didn't buck at all, so it's difficult for me to tell. I'm quite concerned.
 
Why wouldn't you want to do X-rays ?
It will give you the answers you need.
Without them you and your physio can only speculate.
If the X-rays are clear you can carry on with physio exercises.
 
I would also be very concerned, it sounds as if the back was a potential issue in the previous home, it was flagged at the vetting and now he has changed home, routine, saddle, rider it has become a real issue, I would be very disappointed in the vet who said he "would expect more bucking if it was KS" rather than recommending xrays at that time, not all horses with KS buck and not all horses that buck have KS, so to dismiss it seems to be bordering on negligence to me.

I would get on with the xrays it will give you a starting point for treatment, some mild KS horses respond well to careful correct work and improve without the need for surgery, the sooner you know the sooner you can decide what to do.
 
Agree. Proper vet checks, x Rays and possibly a bone scan needed. You need to know what you're dealing with to be able to help fix it, otherwise you're just guessing and any work you put in could be a total waste of time and effort whilst your horse is in pain.

Odd comment from the vet too as ks has lots of symptoms not always severe reactions. Some horses don't need a lot of intervention and can do very well so it may not be as bad as you're thinking. Horses with kissing spine is a brilliant FB group.
 
As somebody who had a very promising 6 yr old diagnosed with a severe SSL injury that led to KS, it won't break the bank to get xrays and scan of the SSL. You do need both, to work out what came first. Chicken and egg thing. My mare never bucked, was competing successfully, but became very reactive and tucked up from the pain. For your own peace of mind i'd have investigations done. My vet was inclined to dismiss me as being over fussy until he saw the xrays.
 
Thank you so much for your words of advice. I have booked the Vet to come out and do an X-ray on Monday and I already feel better for doing so. You guys are right - it'll be better to know and then I can treat it.
 
Good luck, I hope you find a resolution. If nothing on the x rays get a second opinion on the saddle. Then get a more experienced rider on him to assess, I would think.
 
Sorry, can't add any advice other than what's already been said, but I was wondering how you were feeling after your horrible accident? Did the yard move go ok? Has his behaviour changed at all since then?
 
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