Horses

Horse Kissing Spine Diagnosis and Rehabilitation

Overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spine) causes back pain in horses and can significantly affect rideability, behavior and wellbeing when undiagnosed or poorly managed.

Key Facts

Kissing spine affects an estimated 30-40% of sport horses when screened by radiograph
Affected vertebrae contact each other causing pain during flexion under rider weight
Signs include back sensitivity, bucking, rearing, reluctance to work and cold-back behavior
Treatment options include steroid injections, mesotherapy, surgery and intensive physiotherapy
Many horses with radiographic kissing spine have minimal clinical signs with correct training

Welfare Considerations

Horses with undiagnosed kissing spine are often labeled as behavioral problems and subjected to increasing training pressure that worsens suffering. Back pain is a significant welfare concern and behavioral signs of pain must be investigated rather than suppressed. Multimodal treatment including pain management, physiotherapy and rider assessment improves outcomes.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any horse showing back sensitivity or resistance under saddle
Request thoracolumbar radiographs and a ridden exercise assessment by a specialist
Follow a rehabilitation program combining pain management, targeted physiotherapy and correct training
Have saddle fit assessed by a qualified saddler as ill-fitting tack worsens pain
Learn to recognize subtle signs of back pain including reluctance to step under and poor tail carriage