How Do I Know If My Horse Has A Kissing Spine?

How do I know my horse has kissing spine?

1. Back pain when pressure is applied along the spine and muscles adjacent.
2. Discomfort, tail swishing and ears back when the saddle is placed on the back.
3. Changes in ridden work such as unwillingness to go forward, stopping when jumping, bucking or general poor performance.

Can you tell if a horse has kissing spine?

Radiographs (X-rays) are commonly used to diagnose kissing spines. However, it is important to perform a thorough clinical examination and not just rely on X-ray analysis. Thermography, which uses an infrared camera to detect heat patterns, has been shown to be informative in some cases.

What are the signs of kissing spine?

Kissing Spine Symptoms
Initial signs of kissing spine in a horse often include a change in the horses temperament, behaviour or soundness. You may notice levels of discomfort when fitting a saddle or when attempting to mount them. As the condition worsens the horse is likely to become overly sensitive around the back.

Can a horse recover from kissing spine?

In fact, various studies have shown anywhere from 72 to 95 percent of horses return to full work after surgery. There are three primary surgeries to treat kissing spines. Interspinous ligament desmotomy.

How does a horse react with kissing spine?

Kissing spines, also known as Dorsal Spinous Process (DSP) impingement or over-riding dorsal spinous processes, is a cause of back pain, poor or reduced performance and occasionally low-grade lameness in the horse. Kissing spines can however be present in many horses without any clinical symptoms.

What age do horses get kissing spine?

It’s most commonly found in the middle of a horse’s back under the saddle region, but can occur anywhere along the spine. It’s a progressive condition that usually affects horses aged between seven and 14 and is quite common in larger breeds, particularly Thoroughbreds, but rare in ponies.

Can poor saddle fit cause kissing spine?

Dr. Carol Vischer, DVM in NY has done extensive research and come to the conclusion that kissing spine is a disease that some horses are just prone to, but whatever you believe – the fact is that it can definitely be exacerbated by poor riding and bad saddle fit.

How much does kissing spine surgery cost for a horse?

Mostly due to the general anesthesia involved, the cost of this surgery is higher – around $2,500-$3,000, generally. And due to the level of invasiveness, the horse may take several weeks longer to recover once home.

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.

Can you breed a mare 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 you tell if a horse is in pain?

Signs of Pain in Horses

• Lameness or abnormal gait.
• Unusual posture.
• Shifting weight from one leg to another.
• Muscle tremors.
• Abnormal sweating.
• Lying down more than usual.
• Mood or temperament changes.
• Decreased appetite.

What are the causes of 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. Horses with kissing spine do not always develop symptoms, but many horses with this condition experience back pain.

What does it mean when a horse turns his back on you?

What’s our saying? Two eyes are always better than two heels. The ultimate sign of disrespect is when a horse turns his butt towards you when you enter a stall. If you notice that your horse has this habit, your first step is to start the Fundamentals with him, and that begins with the roundpenning exercises.

What happens if the saddle is too far back horse?

A saddle positioned too far back tends to sit on the “floating ribs”. This is the “bucking reflex point” – pressure on these unsupported ribs causes considerable discomfort, which can lead to bucking as the horse tries to alleviate the pressure.

How do you tell if your saddle hurts your horse?

15 signs your saddle doesn’t fit – negative behaviour in your…

1. Avoidance behaviours – trying to walk away when being tacked up.
2. Ears back/head shaking when saddle comes close by.
3. Excessive tail swishing both in the stable and when ridden.
4. Pawing the ground.
5. Threatening to bite you when you come close with the saddle.

What happens if a saddle is too long for a horse?

If a saddle is too long for a particular horse, the rear of the panels will extend past the horse’s saddle support area. This is extremely uncomfortable for the horse, as it puts pressure on his lumbar region.

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.

What are 3 signs that might indicate to you that a horse might be suffering from illness?

Common Signs Your Horse Is Sick

• Change In The Horse’s Behaviour. When a horse is sick, it will start to behave differently.
• Change In The Way The Body Functions. After spending some time with a horse, you will understand how its body functions.
• Weight Loss.
• Dull Skin And Hair.
• Poor Oral Hygiene.
• Aggression When You Saddle It.

How do you know if your horse needs a chiropractor?

Signs Your Horse Would Benefit from Chiropractic Care

1. Abnormal posture.
2. Reduced performance.
3. Reactions to being saddled (such as pinning back its ears or tossing its head)
4. Refusing to jump.
5. Changes in gait rhythm or patterns.
6. Difficulty turning or working in one direction.
7. Sensitivity to touch or grooming.

How do you tell if your horse is lame in the hind?

Hind end pain: A horse with lameness in the hind end will often take distinctly shorter steps with one hind leg (most easily observed from the side), and will frequently drop one hip much lower than the other (easiest to see from behind the horse as it is moving away).

How do you help a horse with a kissing spine?

Other methods that your vet may recommend to help control the pain and inflammation associated with kissing spines include:

1. shock wave therapy.
2. therapeutic ultrasound.
3. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
4. muscle relaxants.
5. chiropractic.
6. acupuncture.