Your veterinarian will perform x-rays along the spine to determine whether the vertebrae in the spine are too close or touching. Kissing spine diagnosis has increased significantly in recent years due to the increased use of x-rays. This condition is diagnosed by a veterinarian upon radiographic detection of overriding dorsal spinous processes (ORDSP). However, it can occur along the entire length of a horse’s back. Kissing spine commonly affects multiple vertebrae of the lumbar spine, the area of the spine distal to the ribs. Kissing spine is sometimes referred to as dorsal spinous process impingement syndrome. If left untreated, horses with kissing spine can act out under saddle, putting themselves and their riders at risk. Have your veterinarian examine your horse if you think they are experiencing back pain. There are many therapies available to keep your horse comfortable and to re-establish mobility. However, surgical advances and modern rehabilitation techniques give new hope to owners of horses with kissing spine. For a long time, it was thought that horses with symptomatic kissing spine could no longer be ridden and had to be retired. Most horse owners dread having their horse diagnosed with kissing spine. Afflicted horses may exhibit extreme back tightness, bucking, pain on palpation and an inability to stretch and raise the back while under saddle. Horses with kissing spine do not always develop symptoms, but many horses with this condition experience back pain. This condition is caused by multiple factors including conformation issues, genetic predispositions, poor posture, improper conditioning, and training under saddle at a very young age. These bony outgrowths are called dorsal spinous processes. Kissing spine is a skeletal abnormality in horses in which bony growths on the vertebrae of the spine touch or “kiss”.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |