Kissing Spines bei Pferden Titelbild

Kissing Spines in Horses

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Kissing spines is a skeletal abnormality which describes a condition in which two or more of the spinous processes are positioned in a way that they touch or rub against each other. Kissing Spines can lead to back pain, arthritic changes, bone cysts and other problems.

Symptoms of Kissing Spines in Horses

Common in

Treatment of Kissing Spines in Horses

Depending on the severity, treatment of Kissing Spines varies. For horses with only mild malformation, correct, gymnastic exercise may be sufficient. Changing, refitting and regularly controlling saddles is also helpful.

In more severe cases, treatment may consist of surgery, shock wave therapy, other non-invasive techniques and injections of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Treatment can relieve some of the pain and stiffness, making the majority of horses more comfortable. Horses that respond well may be able to be ridden normally again.

Prevention of Kissing Spines in Horses

Kissing Spines can not only be caused by genetic predispositions but also by improper conditioning, poor posture, conformation issues and training under saddle at a very young age. Therefore to prevent Kissing Spines from developing, it is important to train the horse with fitting equipment in a health-preserving and balanced way.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse’s abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Related Articles

Synovitis in horses is the inflammation of the synovial membrane within joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.
Bone / Joint Disease

Synovitis

Synovitis in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment Synovitis is the inflammation of the synovial membranes, these are

Navicular bone fracture involves a break in the small, boat-shaped bone in the hoof, leading to significant lameness and needs treatment.
Bone / Joint Disease

Navicular Bone Fracture in Horses

Navicular Bone Fracture in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. Navicular bone fractures can be classified into one

Rheumatoid Arthritis in horses is an autoimmune disorder causing joint inflammation, pain, and progressive lameness.
Bone / Joint Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joint