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Kissing Spines

2K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  jaydee 
#1 ·
Have a horse that is amazing on the trail and for low level dressage. He is sound, happy with his job and with no bad habits. He has never had a great canter, took me almost a year to get him out of a four beat and he really can't collect well in the canter. None the less, he loves a gallop on the trail, has an adequate training level medium canter, is never hesitant to work and is just a joy. Had a vet tell me recently he likely had kissing spines and needed extensive X-rays and treatment. Wondering if anyone has experience with this...I just hate to go down a long expensive road for a horse who seems very happy and who isn't doing exceptionally strenuous work.
 
#2 ·
!!! I just typed this whole thing!!

Ugh. Basically the summary is that kissing spine is what it is. How and why did the vet diagnose this? What are your goals for this horse?

If you want to continue to push him and do the things that are uncomfortable for him (collection) then you may need to look into treatment or ultimately a different horse, OR you can just not push him and ride him the way he is comfortable (no collection, no dressage). Yes he may be all strung out and not "using himself" but he can be a good hack horse and have fun.

The kissing spine doesn't bother a horse until it does, and often shows up when the rider starts to ask more of a horse. It is rarely an issue for a horse moving naturally, so unless severe I would see no reason to retire or anything extreme, he will tell you what he can do and that may not be dressage.

I understand you only look into treatment so you can push the horse past the current comfort zone or if the kissing spine is a real issue.

Are you happy not pushing him? Forget the training, let him be a "fun" horse?
 
#3 ·
You could treat the horse as if he's got kissing spines without actually knowing for sure that he has - but at the some time whatever is causing him to behave in the way you are describing might not be kissing spines but something that could be an easy fix. I would think that your horse would be showing more symptoms than just not wanting to 'collect' if he had a serious spinal problem
Do you know someone that can refer you to a good qualified Equine Physio or chiro that could maybe do some work on him and suggest exercises for you to do with him?


How to help your horse kiss 'Kissing Spine' goodbye - Horsetalk.co.nz
 
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