Kissing Spine: the big picture

'Kissing Spine' in horses, or 'over-riding dorsal spinous processes' is a painful condition in horses, with varying causes, we now have varying treatment options, and we also now have lots of information and help available to assist the rehabilitation process...this is what I spend a lot of time doing now within my practice. 

There has now been scientific work done and a gene has been discovered, which would create a more severe grade of 'kissing spine' in affected horses. To read more about this, click the link below to read the recent article in Horse & Hound magazine that I contributed to...link at bottom of page. 

As an equine physiotherapist and rehabilitation specialist, I see a lot of horses throughout the 'kissing spine' journey, so have quite a unique lens, and the benefit of comparison, seeing a variety of horses going through this condition, at varying stages, with varying severity, and differing treatment options. And this has all given me a lot of experience in this area, hence I now offer consultations and training in the rehabilitation process...see my Kissing Spine Resources page here on my site for details. 

In this blog I will be covering: the big picture, what is actually going on with these horses, why their anatomy creates a high risk of kissing spine, why domestication itself may be playing a part, why modern training methods are not helpful for the horse, and where this leaves us with our horses. It's quite a lot to cover, but I hope this blog will help with seeing our horses through a different lens. 

Starting with stepping back a bit, why are so many horses being diagnosed with kissing spine? In my opinion there are a lot of reasons, as an industry horse professionals are getting more experienced at spotting it, and it's being talked about a lot more, which is positive for the horses. 

But stepping back even further than that, there are some big issues 'behind the scenes' that are like a perfect storm for the horse, unfortunately. 

In terms of anatomy, their dorsal spinous processes (DSP's) are naturally close together, especially in the middle section of the back, the lowest part, where we sit, so actually it doesn't take that much for the bones to become even closer and touch. And in the middle section of the spine, those bones are actually pointed toward each other. TIP: google images of horses spine, look at xrays online of horses with kissing spine, when you see how close the bones are in reality, it can help to understand this condition. 

Also in terms of anatomy, there are a set of small postural muscles called the MULTIFIDUS, which sit along the DSP's, and these important muscles help to create space between the bones. If we don't strengthen the horses body properly, these muscles can waste/atrophy, allowing the bones (DSP's) to come too close or touch. The core exercises that I recommend and teach are PROVEN to increase the size of the multifidus muscles, so we do have ways to improve our horses, we just need to learn how to do them and apply them. 

So if we have naturally close DSP's (natural for the horse), then we don't strengthen the horse correctly, we can be in a position where the bones are really close to each other or touching, quite easily. It's super important to understand these parts of the anatomy of the horses spine, to see how easily kissing spine can occur. 

Domestication: our domesticated version of life for our horses is also unfortunately against them. Lack of movement, stabling, separation, inappropriate feeding, grass being too rich (UK grass really is too good for horses), horses being overweight, not allowed to naturally lose weight over the winter as they would in the wild...all of these 'conditions' are the opposite of how our horses should live. So again some of this can create another part of the kissing spine issue.

Moving onto modern training methods. The way that horses are started and trained now is a much more rushed process than 30-40 years ago. And to me, this is also one of the reasons that many more horses are being diagnosed with kissing spine. Might be controversial for me to say this but I SPEAK FOR THE HORSES so I want to be clear about this. 

Horses 30-40 years ago were lightly backed at age 4, fully turned away for the winter, then lightly broken in age 5, turned away again and then started into 'proper' ridden work age 6 - who remembers this??

The way that horses are broken in now is often fully broken in age 3 and continuing into full work from there without a break, including jumping and competing by age 4. 

In addition to this, horses in the past were started with long reining, lunging, etc prior to ridden work, whereas horses being started now are into ridden work very quickly age 3. 

So there has been a huge shift in how horses are 'started' and it's negative for the horses. 

Their bodies are simply not ready. 

So in my view, adding together their anatomy, domestication, the potential lack of correct strengthening work, and modern rushed starting and training methods, this is the perfect storm to create kissing spine. 

SO WHAT DO WE DO? 

Some tips...

Stand back and look at your horse - is he/she strong enough to be ridden, how does their back look, strong and well muscled all the way along, or weak and sagging? 

How much strengthening work have you actually done before ridden work commences (either when starting or after a break)?

Does your horse seem happy? And happy within exercise? 

Does your exercise regime for your horse include CORE STRENGTHENING work? Do you work your horse from the ground to strengthen their body?  

It's really important to observe our horses, their body language, their posture, what they might be trying to communicate to us etc, so that we are clear on whether they are in pain. And if you suspect they are, have a properly qualified physio or vet see your horse. 

I hope this article is helpful to understand about the 'big picture' with our horses, and why it's crucial to know the basics of the anatomy of the horse we are sitting on. Don't just assume that they are strong enough to be ridden. 

Your horse will thank you for understanding this information. 

HOW I CAN HELP YOU...

Check out my Kissing Spine Resources page if you're looking for help. You can book an online consultation with me, to discuss your horse, you can sign up to my online training programmes, to fully strengthen your horse, or just sign up for my free ebook for a bit more reading, or join my free group. Scroll through the kissing spine resources page for all links. 

KISSING SPINE RESOURCES PAGE: Click HERE for Kissing Spine Resources

CONTACT ME? If you wish to discuss your horse, you can email me through the Contact page here on my website.