Horse Kissing Spines: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Welfare Implications

Overriding dorsal spinous processes, colloquially called kissing spines, cause chronic back pain in horses and require careful management to preserve welfare and working capacity.

Key Facts

Kissing spines occur when spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae touch or overlap, causing pain
Prevalence in sport horses ranges from 20-50% depending on breed and discipline
Symptoms include reluctance to bend, bucking, sensitivity to grooming, and poor performance
Diagnosis requires radiography; the extent of contact does not always predict pain severity
Treatment options include corticosteroid injection, mesotherapy, surgical interspinous ligament desmotomy, and rehabilitation
Many horses with radiographic kissing spines perform without apparent pain and require monitoring rather than intervention

Welfare Considerations

Horses with kissing spines may suffer chronic back pain that goes unrecognized when behavioral signs are attributed to training problems or bad temperament. Riders and trainers must distinguish between resistance rooted in pain and behavioral issues. Over-reliance on strong bits or gadgets to force compliance in a painful horse compounds welfare problems. Conservative management with appropriate physiotherapy, saddle fitting review, and gradual conditioning often produces better outcomes than aggressive surgical intervention.

What You Can Do

Have horses evaluated by a veterinarian experienced in back pain before attributing poor performance to attitude
Ensure saddle fit is checked by a qualified fitter, as poor fit worsens spinal pain
Work with equine physiotherapists to design appropriate rehabilitation programs
Consider the ethics of continuing high-impact sport with a horse in chronic pain
Support research into non-invasive pain assessment tools for equine back conditions
Advocate for welfare-based sport horse pre-purchase examinations that include spinal radiography