Is Kissing Spine In Horses Hereditary?

Kissing spines appears to be hereditary in horses, and scientists are rapidly homing in on the specific areas of the equine genome that are linked to the debilitating condition.

Are kissing spines hereditary?

Kissing spines are likely acquired. They can be the result of a variety of factors, including poor saddle fit and improper training that allows the horse to carry itself with its head up, back hollow, and not engaging the muscles in its core. Genetic factors are possible, but none have been identified to date.

How do you prevent kissing spines?

Improving and strengthening of the top-line muscle, helps to lift the back up and open up the spaces between the spinous processes. In doing so this reduces the pain associated with kissing spine, but this needs to be done in combination with anti-inflammatory treatment.

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.

Is kissing spine curable horses?

Horses with kissing spines can be treated with shock wave therapy, injections of corticosteroids over the withers, back, and croup to reduce inflammation, and specific exercise programs. Changing or refitting saddles is helpful for many horses.

What spine issues are hereditary?

Spinal deformities like scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis. Cervical spine instability. Hip and joint deformities. Bone fractures.

Are spine problems hereditary?

It discovered that yes, genetics does in fact have an effect on disc degeneration. Another study on genetics and lumbar disc disease revealed that there may be a genetic component to lumbar disc disease. The study also found that those with lumbar disc disease likely family members who have the disease as well.

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.

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.

Is kissing spine common?

Kissing Spines are the most common cause of primary back pain in the horse, and seem more prevalent in thoroughbreds, horses five years of age and under, and dressage horses. The condition also occurs in warmbloods and quarter horses, as well as horses that jump, including hunters, jumpers, and event horses.

What causes kissing spine in a horse?

Kissing spine is thought to be the most common cause of back pain associated with horses. Similar to arthritis, the underlying cause of kissing spine is not fully understood. The condition can occur in all breeds and more commonly in horses over 5 years of age.

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 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.

What is the recovery time for kissing spine surgery?

Ongoing Care. 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 you check a horse for a kissing spine?

Kissing spine diagnosis has increased significantly in recent years due to the increased use of x-rays. Your veterinarian will perform x-rays along the spine to determine whether the vertebrae in the spine are too close or touching.

Does riding horses damage their spine?

Conclusion: Spinal cord injury from horseback riding affects an equal proportion of women and men, has a wide age range, and most commonly results in incomplete tetraplegia followed by complete paraplegia.

What are the 3 spine disorders?

What are the types of spine curvature disorders?

• Lordosis/Swayback: the spine of a person with lordosis curves significantly inward at the lower back.
• Kyphosis: Characterized by an abnormally rounded upper back (more than 50 degrees of curvature).
• Scoliosis: Scoliosis causes a sideways curve to the spine.

What are the 3 spinal deformities?

Common adult spinal deformities are scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis.

• Kyphosis involves the upper back curving forward. The condition can create the form of a hump.
• Lordosis is also known as swayback.
• Scoliosis is a frontal deformity in which the spine, when viewed straight on, curves to the left or the right.

What is the most common spinal deformity?

The most common type of spinal deformity in adults is degenerative scoliosis. Figure 2. Types of spinal deformities: a side-to-side curve is called scoliosis; a forward curve (kyphosis) shifts the center of balance in front of the hip; a concave lower back (lordosis) thrusts the hips forward.

At what age does spine degeneration begin?

Most people’s spinal discs degenerate over time. By the age of 35, approximately 30% of people will show evidence of disc degeneration at one or more levels. By the age of 60, more than 90% of people will show evidence of some disc degeneration. Degeneration itself is normal, and does not necessarily cause pain.

Can a horse and a human reproduce?

Probably not. Ethical considerations preclude definitive research on the subject, but it’s safe to say that human DNA has become so different from that of other animals that interbreeding would likely be impossible.