It’s safe to say I’ve had a bad couple of months in the horse department.
After being pleased with my young horse last season, being now a 6yo I was starting to worry that he was still feeling quite ‘backward’ to ride. I initially thought this was just baby-ish behaviour and that with time, he would become stronger and more forward in his mentally.
I spoke with vets/physios/friends and through advice took him hunting several times over winter to see if that would help him to become more forward and ‘sweeten him up’. Unfortunately it didn’t and I decided to get a vet involved.
After being looked at by my wonderful vet, he was diagnosed with Kissing Spine, to say I was gutted was an understatement… However, having had a horse previously with it I have faith that all will be OK and actually upon doing research it’s far more common than people think…
A horse with KS will feel “consistent, low-grade pain because the spinous processes, or sections of bone attached to the vertebrae, are too close together and impinge on each other.” The two main routes to treatment depend on the severity of the problem. Some horses will respond well to a steroid injection twice yearly (with physiotherapy) whilst others may need surgery to correct the problem.
The good news is that horses with KS can make a full recovery with the right treatment, rehabilitation and positive mental attitude!
So as to moving forward, he seems to be responding well to his physio – so fingers crossed!
Have you had a horse with KS? I’d love to hear your stories.
Abi xx
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