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Post by Kelly Marks on Jan 2, 2011 22:18:13 GMT 1
"ý'Kissing Spine' - symptoms include if your horse 'scoots' and seems frightened of their tail, is calm on the ground but tense and nervous when ridden. It's around £120 to get your horse's back xrayed which can be money well spent so you can treat most effectively. I'll write about my 'journey' with Romi in the next Listening Post. I hope through her story we can help other horses and owners."
Has anyone else had experience with Kissing Spine or these kinds of symptoms? I want to put as much information together as possible about this. Has anyone ever trained a horse through this 'scooting' as described, to have a happy, comfortable horse?
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Post by jen1 on Jan 2, 2011 22:24:11 GMT 1
kelly i think sohpie put a huge thread up on here some time ago if thats any good, sorry im not much help never come across it my self,
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Post by laurac on Jan 2, 2011 22:38:21 GMT 1
Hi Kelly My new vet / oesteopath lady thinks my horse has kissing spines (probably explains why he was always very unpredictable to be ridden and would rear and nap very badly to not go into an arena) despite my usual vets keep telling me it was all behavioural! He would often have a sore back when checked by a physio despite not being ridden and his adrenalin was always sky high My new vet/oesteopath was actually Montys tour vet a few years ago and she has the MRPCH too (donna blinman) Treatment last few months has involved manipulation & accupuncture and pole work in hand and have just started longlining, Donna Blinman is back end of Feb, dont know yet whether my horse will ever be fit for riding or not but his back looks so much better already (have not ridden him for over 2 years anyway as it was quite obvious something was wrong). He is a warmblood and i bought him at just turned 5 yrs of age and he came to me with many physical & behavioural problems inc stifle and pelvis issues also he is certainly a much happier boy since treatment started, we are trying to build his back up so it doesnt dip as much and may take pressure of impinging spines I did take him to my usual vets for a xray after Donna highlighted kissing spines but xray machine fell on him and he got sent home with 5 cuts and 8 days of bute and no definite diagnosis as xrays blurry - still got a £300 bill though I would be very interested in hearing about Romis story
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Post by heather on Jan 2, 2011 22:47:09 GMT 1
Kelly, ring me tomorrow!!
Heather x
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Post by june on Jan 2, 2011 22:55:19 GMT 1
Hilary Clayton has done some research into kissing spine. She's found that horses can have kissing spine and have no symptoms. It would appear they are more common than we realised but don't always cause a problem. It might be worth getting in touch with her. She did a presentation at a Mary Wanless demo so presumably Mary has contact details.
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Post by laurac on Jan 2, 2011 23:09:55 GMT 1
My oesteopath recommended the book 'Activate your horses core' by Hillary Clayton to help the horses back I havent managed to get hold of a 2nd hand copy though yet and its a very expensive book to buy
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Post by starbuck on Jan 3, 2011 8:33:05 GMT 1
My vet has just suggested my horse may have kissing spine (not very sure of diagnosis myself) and has suggested he goes in to them for a lameness workout and x rays but have quoted price of around 500 pounds which I was also not very happy about.
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Post by Kelly Marks on Jan 3, 2011 11:31:08 GMT 1
Guys (are you OK with me calling you that?!) I'm going to get together as much info on this as possible - inc. talking on phone to Gerd H, plus I think my vet, Jessica of Lambourn Valley Equine, is exceptional (Monty came to the meeting about Romi and said what extraordinary luck to have some as good as Jessica on your doorstep). This is going to take me at least a week of further work though but please continue to give me any further 'leads' you can in order that I can make this as comprehensive as possible. Also ask any further questions you like though understand I can't come straight back and answer. Kx
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Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
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Post by Amanda Seater on Jan 3, 2011 11:41:08 GMT 1
Kelly a few years ago Sam Austin was helping Penny Holly with one of hers that I believe may have been diagnosed with kissing spine. - may be worth an ask.
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Post by mandal on Jan 3, 2011 11:56:49 GMT 1
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2011 17:18:56 GMT 1
I've read that reluctance to jump can be a sign - I'd be interested to know if all horses with KS would struggle to jump (I'm thinking those who are already in work and jumping before it develops)
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Post by gwenoakes on Jan 3, 2011 17:32:01 GMT 1
A tb horse we took on, Daisy as a 6 yr old had kissing spines diagnosed at Newmarket before we had her. She used to buck in canter, but was fine in walk and trot. We believe hers were started because she had a 16 stone chap in a very ill fitting saddle on to be backed.
She has not been ridden since we got her and will be 9 this May. Unfortunately for her there were/are many, many other physical probs and not just the kissing spines, but having said that she is a beautiful field companion.
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Post by donnalex on Jan 3, 2011 17:46:55 GMT 1
I seem to remember that Sophies one used to feel and ride fine then suddenly bronc her off without warning.
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Post by mandal on Jan 3, 2011 18:05:38 GMT 1
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Post by outoftheblue on Jan 3, 2011 18:14:06 GMT 1
A close friend had kissing spines diagnosed after her horse started bucking and refusing to go forward. He went down to Newmarket and had the operation, and after his recovery time he was still the same - and six months later he was still the same. She had a saddle fitted and he was still the same. Then a mutual friend and I were looking at him and it seemed he was backing off the saddle which was restricting his shoulders even though the saddle was wide enough - he has an enormous shoulder. He is now being ridden in a extra wide synthetic saddle and is going brilliantly. Put him back in a normal saddle and the symptoms immediately reoccur. No of course the million dollar question is - did he have an unnecessary spinal operation?
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