Think It’s Just Their Back? Why Kissing Spine Affects the Whole Body

When your horse is diagnosed with kissing spine, it’s easy to think the problem lies in one small area — just a few vertebrae in the back. But in reality, kissing spine is rarely just a “back problem.”

It’s a full-body issue, often with emotional and behavioural layers too.

And once you understand that, the entire rehab process makes more sense — and becomes more effective.

Horses don’t compartmentalise pain

Horses aren’t like us. They don’t isolate pain to one specific place and carry on. As prey animals, their nervous systems are wired to respond to discomfort in ways that involve the entire body.

That means:

• A painful area causes tension and guarding in surrounding muscles

• They shift movement patterns to compensate, creating strain elsewhere

• They may shut down emotionally, becoming flat, withdrawn, or reactive

• They often disconnect from the rider or handler, trying to protect themselves

So while kissing spine may show up on an X-ray in one location, the effects ripple throughout the body — and mind — of your horse.

Why the whole horse needs a reset

By the time kissing spine is diagnosed, it’s likely that your horse has already developed compensations in the neck, shoulders, hindquarters, and even through the ribcage and pelvis. Their posture has probably changed. Their movement has become braced or restricted. Their relationship with exercise — and with you — may be negatively affected.

This is why true rehab isn’t just about treating the area where the bones touch. It’s about addressing the entire horse:

• Postural retraining to encourage healthy alignment

• Strength-building to support the spine and reduce compression

• In-hand work to restore correct movement patterns

• Emotional support to help your horse feel safe again

• Groundwork-based connection to rebuild your partnership

And that’s where the opportunity lies. Because kissing spine, as difficult as it is, can become the catalyst for a deeper, more holistic approach that improves everything.

The multifidus muscle: small but mighty

One of the most important pieces of this puzzle is a deep postural muscle called the multifidus. It runs along the spine and plays a major role in stabilising the vertebrae and creating space between the bones.

When a horse is in pain or not moving well, the multifidus atrophies — it literally shrinks. And when that happens, the vertebrae can come even closer together, exacerbating the kissing spine problem.

The good news is that we can rebuild it.

✅ A scientific study showed that horses who did targeted core exercises five times per week for 12 weeks experienced significant growth in their multifidus muscles — meaning better spinal support and less risk of impingement.

This is why specific core strengthening work is absolutely essential for kissing spine rehab and prevention.

These exercises aren’t high-impact or dramatic. They’re simple, quiet, deliberate — more like Pilates for horses. But the effects are powerful and lasting.

Prevention is easier than rehab — but rehab is a gift

Of course, it’s always better to prevent kissing spine through thoughtful systematic training, strengthening, and management. But if you’re already in the rehab phase, don’t lose heart.

Rehabilitation gives you a second chance to do things differently.

It’s a chance to:

• Understand your horse’s body better

• Build a stronger, more trusting relationship

• Re-establish healthy posture and movement

• Create lasting strength that supports long-term soundness

Many owners tell me that going through rehab made their horse happier, more comfortable, and more connected than ever before. It’s not just about pain relief — it’s about transformation.

Your next steps

📘 Kissing Spine Ebook Bundle – Understand the full rehab picture and feel more confident about supporting your horse with clarity and care.

🎥 Core Exercises for Your Horse – My online course teaches you the exact in-hand exercises proven to rebuild the multifidus and support your horse’s spine.

This process might feel overwhelming at first. But once you understand how kissing spine affects the whole horse — and what they truly need — things begin to shift.

Support your horse from the inside out. Their back pain may be the starting point, but their entire body and mind will benefit from the journey ahead.