By Emer McNamee

The dreaded diagnosis that every Horse Owner fears. Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes or Kissing Spines (KS) is a condition that can occur in any horse of any breed, sex or age but commonly occurs in Warmbloods and TBs. The cause of KS is still widely unknown but there is strong evidence showing factors such as confirmation, improper training (horse carries head high causing back to become inverted), poor saddle fit, genetics. The horse’s spine is comprised of individual, evenly spaced vertebrae, connected by ligaments and surrounded by muscle. When KS is present, vertebrae are too close together, sometimes touching or ‘kissing’ causing severe pain and reduced mobility.

There can be a wide variety of clinical signs but are not always obvious and clear cut. Poor performance usually being one of the first indicators people pick up on. Reluctance being tacked up or back ‘hollowing’ when the rider is mounting. Bucking and plunging under saddle or on the lunge. Flinching or moving away from your touch when being groomed or rugged up. Resting hind limbs on the banks of the stable. Look for rub marks on the horse’s tail or any poo stains on the wall, this is a tell tale sign for back pain. If the horse leaves you an extra present in the water drinker this is not them trying to get on your nerves, this is also an indicator of pain! Straining to poo can be very difficult if they have severe back pain. If I walk into a stable to treat a horse and there are many Picasso paintings on the wall I always make a mental note of this to consider in the treatment.

Ok so, your horse has been diagnosed with Kissing Spine, now what do you do? Your Vet will determine what degree the condition is at and what is the most appropriate treatment plan going forward. You may not have to go down the surgery route. But, whatever treatment plan you and your Vet decide is best for your horse, Rehabilitation and strengthening will be necessary post-treatment.

The key to KS rehab is core engagement. Any good Physical Therapist should be able to design a rehab programme for your horse. I am going to give you a step by step guide on how to perform a simple lateral neck stretch with your horse. This is one of the many stretches that would be included in a rehabilitation programme for KS cases.

1. Stand with your back to your horse’s shoulder, spread your legs shoulder width apart to give you more stability. 
2. SLOWLY guide your horse’s head and neck over your shoulder.
3. If the horse snaps his head back, let him. This means you went into the stretch too quickly and he wasn’t comfortable with this. Try again more SLOWLY.
4. Find the point of resistance and HOLD for 10-15 seconds if possible. 
5. Slowly guide your horse’s head and neck back to a neutral position, don’t drop his head and let him snap it back.

TIPS

• There may be days when your horse only wants to stretch 10 degrees to one side, this is ok. Any stretch at all is a job well done. See in the picture below, this was as far as Jasper wanted to stretch, so I did not push him. I held the stretch here and praised him.
• Some horses are more flexible that others, whats easy for one horse, another may find difficult
• NEVER EVER force a stretch onto a horse. If he does not like it there is a reason
• DO NOT use carrots or treats to encourage the stretch. The horse will most likely stretch further that it is capable of, causing pain or injury to itself
• The key to stretching is everything is SLOW. Take your time everything is done gently, you want stretching to be an enjoyable experience