| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| xsara |
Posted - 28 Feb 2011 : 11:26:38 PM
I was wondering if any one has had trouble with kissing spine before as I think Ollie may have it. Since I took him on in july I have been trying to build him up and strengthen him. He was very weak in the back, and he has been having alot of trouble with back pain. I had phsio's at him when he came with light work and Had a chiropractor who commented that he was very tight in his spine and made an adjustment in his back mid saddle area. I started work with lots and lots of lunging only introduced him to a pessoa and let him trot round no canter work at all. I did a bit of riding usually once a week and lunged 2-3 times a week I was scared to sit on him in case I injured his back again. He had a rest over christmas with weather etc. And then started work with him and took him jumping and he went sore in his back again. So more time off and phyios, back people etc and finally got him back. But two weeks into work mainly lunging with a little ridden work and took him out for a hack walking on saturday and yesterday off. I usually give him the day of after riding him. But tonight I was gutted to find yet again his back all hollowed and sore in the same spot. It is swollen and inflammed and when you push down his spine he dramatically dips from pressure.
I have found his striding looking back over pics from when I got him to now has got alot shorter, He doesn't like his girth being done up, I have noticed also over last few weeks when comming from trot to walk he is not as smooth as he was, and goes into a really short like stiff trot before comming back into walk. He grinds his teeth, He looses his weight very quickly or looks to have as so tense and he doesn't eat as much. He is also very touchy when mounting shoots off when you first get on. etc.
I am beggining to think the best thing is to through him away for the summer and try and build his condition up and then maybe he might be fit for work next year. I got him a new back pad for his back as well which is an air mesh pad they are very good we have found for the race horses to stop sore backs. He did improve greatly when the chiropractor adjusted his back it was NOV he was last here and will get him back out to him when he is up. I am gutted as every time I get him right think he is going good a week or two in to work and it all flares up again and he is only ridden for 15-20 min max. and warmed up on the lunge before he is ridden. |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| xsara |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 5:41:39 PM
thanks for your advice. I have him booked in with the vets on sunday morning. I gave him a brush tonight and the swelling has settled but still visable and seems to be still a lot of heat in the area. fingers crossed the vet can find out what is causing him so much pain |
| shah |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 5:32:38 PM
Would agree about having a vet out and get xrays done to confirm and help you stop worry. You may also need to consider gastric ulcers and/or a pelvis problem. Produces very similar symptoms. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 3:16:04 PM
I would also get him x-rayed so that you know what you are dealing with and can treat it appropriately - after all it may not be kissing spine at all, but if it is you need to know for sure.
|
| Zan |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 2:21:41 PM
I agree with everyone else---please get an equine vet and get him x-rayed. |
| phoenixbruka |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 1:57:52 PM
yep, def get xrays, its really the only way to find out for sure,
(or an MRI but theyre prohibitivly expensive for most of us )
dont waste your time - or money- on backquacks ...best to use only an ACPAT Qualified physio under referral from your vet
susie |
| alison |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 12:12:35 PM
I would definitely get the vet out for a correct diagnosis as kissing spine is very painful and horses with this condition can become dangerous when ridden because of the intense pain. You say yourself he is in pain it is in his and yours best interest to get a correct diagnosis before any other treatment.I hope he recovers, good luck.
Alison |
| Roseanne |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 11:46:45 AM
You can have fairly easy x-rays done for kissing spine and that will tell you once and for all so you don't have to waste any further time.
I'm really in two minds about chiropractic for horses. A senior horse vet I know says you'd have to practically take a hammer to a horse to make any difference to its spine, and a few flicks certainly wouldn't make any difference at all.
I do think there's value in releasing muscle spasm though but I guess it would need to be done frequently to rid the horse of the habitual restriction of the muscle - and it would make sense to find out why the spasm's happening.
Is the horse's saddle OK. I think this is a real problem for horses that are difficult to fit and some intelligent ones just won't do anything if uncomfortable through pinching. |
| Offira |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 11:44:03 AM
I have a kissing spine horse and he was diagnosed by x-ray. My advice, having been on 'the journey' would be to get the vet out without delay. My vet would not give permission, quite rightly, for chiro, McTimoney to see the horse without coming out to look at the horse and diagnosing the problem first off.
Your horse sounds very unhappy and is giving you fair notice of the fact, too much I think for it to be muscular alone.
In the old days I used to get this wiry little Irish chap out to 'do their backs' (without telling the vet   ). |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 10:24:49 AM
I would use a Physio no one else, when Arabi had all his troubles my vet said he would refer me to one, she did wonders with him and I still get her back if I think there is something wrong, she spends at least an hour with us some of the time is working on his sore bits, she looks at him moving forwards backwards sidewards, and in all gaits, then she shows me exercises I can do to help strengthen areas he has problems with, I have found in the past other back people do 15 mins work on your horse never ask to see it move, for roughly the same money, I would never use anyone else now.
I have only seen one horse with kissing spine and it would rear as soon as someone mounted, could it be your saddle putting pressure on the swollen bit of his back? |
| shfwarrior |
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 07:46:02 AM
if you use aa reputable chiropractor they will be able to tell you honestly their prognosis on the pain. Many will keep you going but ...go by word of mouth people will be able to recommend the best. What area are you in? |
