Horse Kissing Spine - Advanced Management

Advanced management approaches for overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spine) in horses, including surgical options and rehabilitation.

Key Facts

Overriding dorsal spinous processes (ODSP) affect 39-87% of ridden horses in imaging studies, with variable clinical relevance
Pain-associated behavioral changes including bucking, reluctance to work, and ridden aggression are common presentations
Diagnosis requires radiography; many horses have radiographic changes without obvious clinical signs
Surgical interventions (interspinous ligament desmotomy or bone resection) show 70-80% return to work rates
Physiotherapy, targeted strengthening, and saddle fitting correction are essential components of any treatment plan

Welfare Considerations

Kissing spine is a significant source of chronic pain in horses, often under-recognised because horses cannot verbalise discomfort. Behavioral changes in ridden work are frequently the first signs and should prompt veterinary assessment rather than increased training pressure. Effective management combines pain relief with rehabilitation addressing underlying muscular weakness and biomechanical factors.

What You Can Do

Investigate persistent ridden behavior problems with veterinary assessment including spinal imaging
Ensure regular saddle fit assessments by a qualified saddle fitter - ill-fitting saddles exacerbate ODSP
Implement a structured physiotherapy programme prescribed by an equine physio for affected horses
Consider multi-modal pain management combining medication, physiotherapy, and work modification
Record ridden behavior using standardised ethograms to track treatment response objectively