With any horse suffering from back pain their overall mobility will be reduced and immediate veterinary care is required. Many horses will tense their core back muscles to reduce strain on their vertebrae creating a significant level of stiffness and a visible change in their stride lengths, gait and performance. If you have a sports or jumping horse you may see signs of refusing to jump or an overall reduction in flexibility and athleticism. As the condition worsens the horse is likely to become overly sensitive around the back. Initial signs of kissing spine in a horse often include a change in the horses temperament, behaviour or soundness.You may notice levels of discomfort when fitting a saddle or when attempting to mount them. Kissing spine caused by repeated trauma can also be diagnosed as Spinal Crowding Syndrome.
The most common cases of kissing spine are found in the last few thoracic vertebra, interestingly where a saddle sits on a horse.Īlthough more common as a degenerative condition, kissing spine can also be exacerbated through an injury to the spine from a bad fall. The bony prominence around each vertebrae helps the horses spine flex and extend so when this is reduced a lack of mobility and pain can be seen. The issue occurs when the spaces between the horses vertebrae (spine) reduce to a point where they touch (kiss) each other – hence ‘ kissing spine’. The condition can occur in all breeds and more commonly in horses over 5 years of age. Similar to arthritis, the underlying cause of kissing spine is not fully understood. Kissing spine is thought to be the most common cause of back pain associated with horses.
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