Horse Kissing Spines Treatment Welfare: Managing Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes

Kissing spines (overriding dorsal spinous processes) is one of the most common causes of back pain in ridden horses. Diagnosis and treatment improve welfare for affected horses and riding safety.

Key Facts

Kissing spines affect an estimated 39% of ridden horses in some studies, making it more prevalent than many owners realize
Radiographic diagnosis identifies the degree of contact or overriding between spinous processes in the thoracic and lumbar spine
Clinical signs include back pain on palpation, reluctance to work, behavioral changes under saddle, and poor performance
Treatment options include conservative management with physiotherapy and medication, mesotherapy, corticosteroid injection, and surgical intervention
Poorly fitted saddles and rider asymmetry can contribute to kissing spines development and progression
Horses successfully treated and managed can return to full work, though ongoing management is usually required
The relationship between radiographic findings and clinical signs is not straightforward - some horses with severe changes show minimal symptoms while others with mild changes are significantly affected

Welfare Considerations

Kissing spines welfare illustrates how chronic back pain can masquerade as behavioral problems, leading to aversive training responses that compound the animal's suffering. A horse that bucks, refuses jumps, or resists the bit due to back pain may be labeled as naughty or disobedient rather than painful - and trained with escalating aversive pressure that worsens its welfare without addressing the cause. The welfare-centered approach treats unexplained behavioral changes under saddle as a pain signal requiring investigation rather than a training challenge requiring correction. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent the cycle of pain and aversive training from becoming entrenched, producing better welfare outcomes for the horse and better riding relationships for the owner.

What You Can Do

Investigate unexplained behavioral changes under saddle as potential pain signals before increasing training pressure
Request back radiography if your horse shows persistent back pain on palpation or resistance under saddle
Have saddle fit professionally assessed by a qualified saddle fitter as part of kissing spines investigation
Work with an equine physiotherapist and vet to develop an appropriate rehabilitation program after diagnosis
Avoid aversive training responses to behaviors that may reflect pain - seek diagnosis before escalating training demands