Kissing spines (overriding dorsal spinous processes) is a common cause of back pain in ridden horses, with welfare implications for diagnosis, treatment, and continued use.
Kissing spines represents a chronic pain condition that is frequently under-diagnosed because horses continue to perform despite pain - through learned helplessness or pain-coping adaptations. 'Behavioral' problems under saddle that are actually pain responses include bucking, napping, reluctance to go forward, and apparent aggression. These behaviors are often managed through training pressure rather than veterinary investigation, prolonging pain unnecessarily. The ethical question of continuing to ride horses with kissing spines, particularly without effective pain management, is genuine and requires honest discussion between veterinarians, owners, and riders.