How Much Does Kissing Spine Surgery In Horses Cost?

A saddle shouldn’t be placed on the horse’s back for six weeks, however, to allow the small incision on the back to heal fully. This procedure can range in cost from about $800-1,200, generally.

Can a horse recover from kissing spine?

In some cases, kissing spines are secondary to other health issues. Affected horses may undergo medical or surgical treatment and physical therapy. Recovery is possible, but requires time and commitment.

What happens in kissing spine surgery?

The horse is sedated and after injecting local anesthetic small incisions are made through the skin over the affected processes under X-ray guidance. The front of each affected process is then removed. Following this the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures under the skin and skin staples.

How common is kissing spine in horses?

Veterinary literature has suggested that up to 34% of horses (which tend to be over-represented by thoroughbreds) may show signs of kissing spine on X-rays, but many do not exhibit any clinical signs as a result of them and may not have any disease.

Can a saddle cause kissing spine?

This condition is caused by multiple factors including conformation issues, genetic predispositions, poor posture, improper conditioning, and training under saddle at a very young age.

Are horses with kissing spine in pain?

In this condition the normal spaces between the spinous processes of the horse’s vertebral column are reduced. In some horses pain can arise from the bone-to-bone contact and disruption to the ligament between the processes.

Can kissing spine be prevented?

As kissing spines is a naturally occurring, progressive condition, prevention isn’t possible. There are, however, some things that can be done to help reduce the risk. Experts believe there’s likely to be a genetic component to kissing spines, so breeding from known sufferers should be considered very carefully.

How long is the recovery from kissing spine?

After any kissing spines surgery, Dr. Davis will put the horse on stall rest for two weeks until the sutures come out and the incision is healed. Then he’ll start the horse on a regimen of stretching for two weeks.

How do I know if my horse has kissing spine?

Diagnosis of kissing spine is by radiography or x-ray of the back focusing on the dorsal spinous processes. This definitively shows us if there are any areas of bone reaction (which shows up as whiter areas of bone) or bone that may be touching which could be causing pain.

Is kissing spine progressive?

Kissing spines or dorsal spinous process impingement may be sudden (provoked by a traumatic incident such as a fall) or insidious in onset, presenting as a progressive unwillingness to work or a deterioration in performance. In some cases the condition is a congenital defect but can present at any age.

Is kissing spine genetic?

Susceptibility to “kissing spines” in horses may be genetic.

Is kissing spine arthritis?

Kissing spines is also a form of osteoarthritis. The kissing spines are located at the top of the spine. In this condition, the spinal processes of two vertebrae touch each other. By touching the bone parts, a local irritation of the bone / cartilage occurs and new bone is created.

Can you breed from a mare with kissing spine?

As with type of work, if your mare has kissing spines due to injury, it is less likely to be passed onto her offspring. As with all things involved in breeding horses, a large amount of luck and good management is required.

What are 3 symptoms that a horse may exhibit when he she is having back pain?

Symptoms of Back Pain

• Poor performance/reduced performance which may progress to behavioral problems (rearing/bucking/stopping or running out at fences).
• Discomfort to grooming or pressure over the back.
• Resistance to saddling, increased “girthiness” or abnormal gait after being saddled.

How do you exercise a horse with a kissing spine?

Quite simply a small circle around a cone, barrel or block at the walk, with long reins and lots of inside bend. This stretches the outside of the body and helps the horse to let go of their lateral back tension. Don’t insist, encourage.

Can you ride a horse with a dipped back?

But Can You Ride A Swayback Horse? Swayback horses can usually be ridden. Before riding a swayback horse, however, it is a good idea to have your veterinarian out for an examination. They can rule out any back pain or underlying conditions that may make riding infeasible.

Can kissing cause back pain?

Baastrup syndrome (also referred to as kissing spines) is a cause of low back pain characterized by interspinous bursitis and other degenerative changes of the bones and soft tissues where adjacent spinous processes in the lumbar spine rub against each other.

What is a roach back horse?

Roach back, known also as kyphosis, occurs occasionally in young horses that grow rapidly. Typically, onset happens after weaning at six to nine months of age. The dorsal processes of the lumbar vertebrae are unusually tall, giving the animal a characteristic hump-backed appearance.

What is a hunter’s bump on a horse?

A ‘Hunter’s Bump’ is a protrusion of the tuber sacrale. This is the area of the hip that will appear elevated along the lower part of your horse’s back, just above the croup. Technically, this is a subluxation of the sacroiliac joint, which may involve injury to the ligaments securing the pelvis and the spine.

Should you breed a horse with kissing spine?

Beau Whitaker from Salado, Texas presented that a third chromosome, number 14, appears to be associated with the presence of kissing spines in affected horses and determines if the disease is present in a specific horse. Because of this, it is not recommended to breed horses with kissing spines.

How can I tell if my horse is in pain?

Signs of Pain in Horses

1. Lameness or abnormal gait.
2. Unusual posture.
3. Shifting weight from one leg to another.
4. Muscle tremors.
5. Abnormal sweating.
6. Lying down more than usual.
7. Mood or temperament changes.
8. Decreased appetite.