Understanding overriding dorsal spinous processes in horses, their welfare significance and the debate between surgical and conservative approaches.
Kissing spines illustrates the welfare challenge of distinguishing incidental imaging findings from clinically significant pain. A horse that backs away from the stable door, reacts to girthing or bucks under saddle is experiencing discomfort that warrants investigation; a horse that radiographically has overriding processes but works willingly and comfortably may not require any intervention. Welfare-appropriate management requires careful correlation of imaging with clinical and ridden assessment, ideally by a specialist equine orthopaedic vet. The welfare imperative to neither undertreat genuine pain nor overtreat incidental findings requires clinical skill and honest communication between vet, rider and farrier.