Is kissing spine in horses painful?

Back Pain in Horses

Kissing spine does not always cause pain. In fact, some cases of kissing spine are found accidentally while investigating other issues in asymptomatic horses. However, when kissing spine does cause pain it can be quite severe.

Is a horse lame with kissing spine?

Overriding dorsal spinous processes (ORDSP), aka Kissing Spine. Kissing Spine is an equine condition of the spine where the spaces between the vertebrate become so reduced that they actual touch; this touching effect relates to the 'kiss' and can create significant pain and lameness in your horse.

How do I know if my horse has a kissing spine?

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.

What does kissing spine feel like?

What are the symptoms of Kissing Spine? The most common symptom of Baastrup's syndrome in the lumbar spine is low back pain that worsens when you arch your back (extension) and feels better when you round your back (flexion). The pain also spikes whenever the affected area is touched.

How long does it take to recover from kissing spine surgery?

Four weeks of stall rest with walking in hand. Four weeks of lunging in a lunging-aid system. Recheck exam at eight weeks.

Ask the Vet - What is Kissing Spine?

Can horses jump after kissing spine surgery?

I think it gives them a jump-start before they go back under saddle again. Using a Pessoa balance training system, lunging, stretching and pole exercises have also been proven to be beneficial to a horse being legged up after kissing spine surgery.

Is kissing spine serious?

The presence of kissing spines is not necessarily a cause for concern, but it may be considered as a predisposing factor for back pain. The majority of affected horses that exhibit clinical signs are able to return to work with medical or surgical treatment and physical therapy.

Can you breed a mare with kissing spine?

At first, this seems like there is an obvious answer to this question – No you shouldn't breed a mare with kissing spines. Not only is this likely to put extra strain on the mares back, but surely she could pass this condition onto her foal.

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.

How do you exercise a horse with a kissing spine?

Quite simply a small circle around a cone or block in walk, with long reins and lots of inside bend. This stretches the outside of the body and helps the horse to let go of his lateral back tension. Don't insist, encourage. Relax, wait and repeat until his head drops and he bends more freely and regularly.

Can poor saddle fit cause kissing spine?

during the course of the horse's life. 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.

Can you ride a horse with a dipped back?

Riding. One challenge you will face if you want to ride a dipped back horse is fitting a saddle correctly. A poorly fitted saddle may cause your weight to be unevenly distributed on the horse's back resulting in pain or lameness.

Can you prevent kissing spine?

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.

Can kissing spine cause lameness?

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.

Why is my horses spine sticking out?

Kissing spines refers to a condition in horses in which two or more of the spinous processes (the flanges of bone sticking up from each vertebra in the spine) are positioned so that they touch or rub against each other. Horse with kissing spines may develop back pain, bone cysts, arthritic changes, and other problems.

How is baastrup disease treated?

Treatment of Baastrup syndrome

Non-surgical treatment consists of localised injections of analgesics or NSAIDS. which can be given bi-weekly. During this treatment period, extension movements of the lumbar spine should be avoided.

Can ulcers cause kissing spine?

If your horse develops back pain or bad behavior under saddle such as bucking, kicking out or refusing to go forward, he probably has kissing spine. The Truth: There are many conditions that can cause non-specific bad behavior, ranging from gastric ulcers to osteoarthritis.

What percentage of horses have kissing spines?

Some experts believe as many as 20 to 30 percent of horses have some degree of kissing spines. It can affect nearly any horse of any breed pursuing any discipline. However, says Dr. Davis, “Horses with a long back tend to be predisposed, especially if they also have a sway back.

Can dogs get kissing spine?

This patient has Baastrup's disease – also known as “kissing spines syndrome”. Baastrup's disease is a rare and poorly described condition in dogs as well as in man. It is a degenerative process involving the dorsal spinous processes where they touch each other.

How do you help a horse with a sore back?

Rest and medications. Even just a day or two off from work may be enough to ease muscle pain in a horse's back. “If it's an overuse injury, rest is often beneficial, and maybe some anti-inflammatory medication, as for any overused body part,” says Connally.

What causes a roach back in horses?

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 wobbler horse?

A "Wobbler" is a horse with a damaged spinal cord. The most obvious clinical sign is an abnormal gait characterized by wobbling, or a horse that looks like he has had a fair amount of tranquilizers. Severe damage can actually result in a horse that may fall and have difficulty getting up.

Why is my horse cross firing?

When the horse cross-fires, it means that the horse is on two leads: the front two legs are on one lead while the back two legs are on the opposite lead instead of moving in a synchronized way. Lack of balance and muscle control are the main reasons for cross-firing which may occur either occasionally or consistently.

What causes equine EPM?

While relatively few horses actually develop the disease, research suggests approximately one-half of all horses in the Midwest have been infected by and/or exposed to the parasite that causes EPM. EPM is caused by a parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, spread in the feces of opossums.

What is horse navicular?

The navicular bone is a small flattened bone, which lies across the back of the coffin joint. It attaches to the pedal bone via a short strong ligament (the impar ligament) and to the pastern joint by 'suspensory' ligaments.